When I first started my journey into chicken keeping, I was filled with such excitement. But I was also so nervous about their health and safety, that I admit to checking on them far more than I needed to at first. I found myself checking on the chicks so often, I jokingly wondered if they'd start to recognize me as part of the flock!

There was a world to learn, not just about chicken care, but about the unique quirks and needs of my individual birds—their distinct personalities shone through from the very start.

Through a bit of testing with different poultry supplies and figuring out which ones were the most durable, sustainable, and long-lasting, I've come up with a thorough checklist of supplies here.

Now, you can take a deep breath and avoid the frequent coop checks (well, maybe just a few); rest assured, this list will ensure your feathered friends have everything they need to flourish.

Below, you'll find links to all the essential items, carefully curated for convenience and your peace of mind. Let's dive in and get cracking! 🍳

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The Essentials: What you need for chickens

Essential Chicken Feed Supplies

1. Plan out forage in pasture if available

• Why Forage is Important:
  If you have pasture available, you can really maximize the efficiency of your land by sowing seed for your chickens to forage. Then, practice pasture rotation with your chickens for regenerative land management.

• My suggested forage mixes:

1. Albert Lea Organic Seeds
2. Organic Omega-3 Chicken Forage Seeds
3. Poultry Pasture Non-GMO Seeds‍
4. If you have a garden, grow treats to give your chickens from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds.

• Tip: 
  ‍Sow your forage seeds in early spring so that the plants have enough time to grow. Depending on your climate, you may also sow another crop in the early autumn.

2. Local Organic Grain

• Environmental Impact:
  ‍Locally sourced organic grain cuts down on the environmental impact of raising and feeding chickens. In this way, you vote with your dollars to support sustainable and local agriculture.
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• Product Highlight:
  I really like Scratch & Peck Organic Layer Feed for my chickens, but there are other organic grain producers across the country that might be closer to you.
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• Alternative Options:
  If you're unable to source feed from a local farm and mill, Tractor Supply has an affordable organic chicken feed option called Cluck & Co. It's around $1/pound, which is pre-2020 pricing for organic chicken feed!
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• Storage Tips:
  Store your grain in a metal bin with a secure lid to prevent pests from munching on your chicken feed. All of my outdoor animal feed is stored in bins like this from Behrens and they are vermin proof!

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3. Thoughtful Grain Feeder Design

• Top Feeder Choice:
  This chicken feeder by OverEZ on Tractor Supply is one of the best in the market.
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• Benefits of Good Design:
  It sits flush on the ground and has a no-waste design. Chicken bedding and such won't get into their food. If you have your feeder outside, this is one of the few designs that keeps feed dry in the rain.
  
  This means you'll also save money in the long run since you'll have reduced your wasted grain.
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4. Calcium Supplements and Grit for Chicken Health

• Digestive Health:
  ‍Chickens need grit to be able to digest their food.
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• Calcium Sources:
  Oyster shells provide calcium for chickens. You can also crush up chicken eggs and offer it to your hens in their run. I tend to do a mixture of both for my flock.
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• Tip: 
  ‍Make sure that your grit are small enough for young hens. Keep in mind that chickens who aren't laying eggs yet won't need oyster shells.
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• Feeder Recommendations:
  We put chicken grit in small feeders like this one from Tractor Supply. We have a second feeder for oyster shells.

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5. Reliable Water Source

• Watering Systems:
  Of course, chickens need water too. This water holder for chickens has lasted us many years and is easy to clean.
  I tried the smaller poultry cups and nipples, and they didn't work well for my chickens.
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• Keep it topped up or go for multiple water feeders:
  I have 10 chickens in my flock, and this water source is enough for them for one day. I refill it every night. For larger flocks, you might need multiple water feeders to ensure your birds always have access to water.
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• Maintenance Tips:
  You’ll want to soak the water feeder in soapy water or wash it with vinegar or bleach to prevent the waterer from getting algae and grime build-up.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar for Wellness

• Health Benefits:
  ‍Add a little to their water on a bi-weekly basis to help prevent disease issues in chickens.
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• A little goes a long way:
  I personally only add 1/4 teaspoon to my water.

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Raise the (Roost) Bar: Must-Have Chicken Care + Maintenance Tools

1. Access to a Qualified Livestock Veterinarian

• Why a Vet is Essential:
  While some people might see this as unnecessary, it’s always good to know that you can call an experienced livestock vet if you have an issue with your chickens.
  
  Some livestock veterinarians are a part of cat + dog vet clinics, so you can call around to see if they have someone available. In this way you have the option to bring your chickens into the clinic if necessary, which is less expensive than having a vet come to your homestead.

• Clinic vs. Home Visits:
  Depending on your situation, it can be more convenient to have the vet come to you. So it’s nice to have a vet that can accommodate both types of visits.
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• Develop a care routine to minimize vet costs:
  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Make it a point to check in with your chickens throughout the week to see if they have any issues on their feet, feathers, or skin. Observe them to make sure they aren't exhibiting any out of the ordinary behaviors.

2. Secure fencing for Protection

• Safety First:
  Chickens need secure fencing so that they remain safe from predators and also don’t get into your garden.
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• Fence Types:
  Your chicken fencing can be in a permanent chicken run, or it might be something portable for rotational pasture grazing.
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• Fencing Specifications:
  Make sure your fencing is at least 4 feet tall, sturdy, and has no gaps underneath that a chicken can sneak under.
  
  You'll need taller and more secure fencing if you have predators; hawk netting overhead will also be helpful.
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  If you have baby chicks, you’ll need to be sure that there are no large gaps in gates or fencing that they can move through.

3. Comfortable Bedding (spray-free straw)

• Why Choose Straw:
  I prefer to use straw bedding for my chickens. For me, it’s easier to source locally and lower in dust than wood shavings or pellets. You can use this to add cushion to chicken’s nesting boxes, too.
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• The Dangers of Grazon:
  I have had the unfortunate experience of seeing how straw sprayed with Grazon can wreck havoc on a garden when used as mulch or when turned into compost. It’s a persistent herbicide that will remain in your garden and hinder the growth of legumes and other crops for years.

Create a Comfy Coop: A Safe and Inviting Home for your Flocks

Chicken accessories for the coop

1. Sturdy Chicken Coop for Sweet Dreams

• Safe Haven:
  A coop is where chickens sleep at night. It protects them from predators and gives them a safe and cozy space to be. I have a chicken coop built into my barn, but there are some beautiful chicken coops on the market!
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• Eco-Friendly Options:
  ‍Nestera Eco Friendly Chicken Coops + Runs
  If you’re looking to buy a chicken coop online, I recommend Nestera for an eco-friendly option. They make their coops from 100% recycled plastic, and they have a 25 year guarantee. They need little maintenance and are a lot easier to clean than a wooden coop.
  
  This is the most affordable chicken coop that I have found for their size and quality. They have accessible payment plans available, which is a nice bonus. Nestera has the option to add on wheels, which is great if you’re moving your chickens around on pasture. You can also buy a galvanised steel run from them too. Customers like that these are predator-proof chicken coops and runs.

• Beautiful Wooden Coops:
  If you have a flock of more than 6 chickens, you may need a bigger coop. Urban Northern is a small family business that makes sturdy and beautiful wooden coops, They have a high satisfaction rating and are affordable when compared to other coop brands. They also have payment plans available to make their coops more accessible.
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• Tip: Keep it ventilated
  Regardless of where you get your coop (or if you make it!), proper ventilation is key. It will help prevent air quality issues and reduce the potential for molding in moist bedding.
  
  Ventilation is also very important to regulate temperature, especially during the summer months.

2. Spacious Chicken Run

• Outdoor Exploration:
  A chicken run gives your chickens space outside of their coop to explore, eat, and drink. This is where your chickens will be when they’re not sleeping in their coop.

3. Pitchfork for Coop Upkeep

• Essential Tool for Clean-Up: An essential chicken accessory, you’ll need a pitchfork to clean out your coop and run. I’ve found a pitchfork to be easier than a shovel. If you have a small chicken coop, though, you may prefer a smaller tool.
  
  This pitchfork from Tractor Supply has a lifetime warranty.

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4. Wheelbarrow for Moving Manure

• Manure and Bedding Transport: You’ll move the chicken manure and bedding to your compost bins with a wheelbarrow. I recommend this one manufactured by True Temper and sold by Tractor Supply.
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• Tip:
  I have a 100% solid rubber wheel on my wheelbarrow that I bought separately and swapped out for the standard air-inflated one. It's lasted for years and doesn't mind heavy loads in the way that standard tires do.

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5. Compost Bin to make Regenerative Gardening Amendments from your Chicken Bedding

• Waste Management: A large 3+ compartment compost bin is great for storing your chicken manure and bedding. As it breaks down, these bins keep everything tidy.
  
  This cedar compost bin from Gardener's Supply is USA made and comes with add-on options, so you can easily turn this into a three bin system.
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• Tip: Keep it turned!
  Turn your compost pile weekly (or more frequently if you're up for it!) to help it break down quickly and efficiently.

6. Secure doors to keep predators out

• Predator Proofing: Make sure that your chicken coop doors are secure. Racoons are clever creatures and know how to use different kinds of latches.

7. Nesting boxes for egg-laying hangouts

• Egg-laying Comfort:
  Your hens will prefer to lay their eggs in nesting boxes. These are cozy little spaces for them to hang out in. We have three nesting boxes for our 10 hens. Keep the nesting boxes fresh with a thick layer of straw.
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• Tip:
  I like to freshen up my chicken's nesting boxes weekly with new straw. Sometimes I'll even put some freshly picked chicken-safe herbs in there for fragrance and for the hens to munch on.

8. Roosting perches for snoozing

• Natural Sleeping Environment:
  This is where your chickens will sleep at night. They like to be up off the ground, as though they are sleeping in a tree. You’ll want to make sure the perch isn’t too tall so that they can’t fly up to it.
  
  You can forage for branches in your yard to make it feel more like their natural habitat.

Harvest the Joy: Egg Collecting Essential Every Chicken Keeper Needs

Once your hens have reached laying age, you’ll get the benefit of tasty and fresh eggs that you’ll collect daily.

Here’s what I use to gather eggs from my chicken flock:

1. Egg basket to gather your harvest

• Collecting Made Easy: I’ve had so many eggs break in my pockets that an egg basket does come in handy.
  
  This egg basket was handmade by Amish folks with physical disabilities. Plus it’s cute!
  
  I've got to say that it feels very satisfying carrying a basket full of eggs from the barn into the kitchen!

2. Proper EggStorage Solutions

• Egg Storage Solutions:
  You’ll need a container to store your eggs in once you’ve collected them. You can reuse an old cardboard egg carton from the store.
  
  I love the quality of the handmade egg cartons that Jefferson Street Co has on etsy. They are USA made and lead free!
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• Tip:
  I like to organize my eggs so that they are arranged from oldest to freshest, left to right. In this way I know I'm always going through my oldest eggs first.

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Essential Chicken Supplies

I hope this chicklist...er, checklist, was helpful!

While you're looking to get your new flock settled into your homestead, here are some other articles that will help you with raising chickens:

Thinking about chicken breeds? Here are the best chicken breeds eggs.

Want to raise your hens in an eco friendly way? Have a look at my guide to raising sustainable hens.

Have your chickens and not sure what to name them? I've curated a unique list of names for your chicken friends.

For future reference, here's a guide on when your hens will start to lay their first eggs.

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