Best poultry farm equipment according to redditors

Reading a book about chickens may make it seem harder than it is. Silkies are great birds. Here is some practical advice. If you are buying hatching eggs that will get shipped through the mail, make sure that you get at least 6 if you want three birds. If you cannot have roosters, then get even more eggs. My experience is hatching eggs get damaged in shipping, so the hatching rate could be very low. I recently got 10+ Japanese hatching eggs. Only one shows signs of life. I opened some of the bad ones and the yolk was broken.

Chicks will need a feed that has higher protein and no calcium. Most commercial feeds will explain the ages to use what feed. Go to a local store that sells chicken supplies and look at the feeds.

The nipple type feeders are nice, as stuff doesn't end up in the water. Birds can easily learn to use them, but you may have to nudge and show them a bit. This one has worked well for me: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00JXUAD0K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_tLauzb7DRFWVV

Silkies can easily handle below freezing conditions. They have a pea comb so aren't prone to frostbite. They also have great feathers. I don't do much of anything to make things cool or warm. Make sure they have access to shade and water. They will pant kinda like dogs to cool off. They also use their comb to regulate body temperatures.

A 3-4 chicken sized coop will work for easily six silkies, as they are a small bantam birds. Good ventilation is important for a coop, as a build of ammonia from chicken poop can damage chicken lungs.

Bantam birds are especially vulnerable to hawks. If you are keeping the birds in a restrained run, make sure it's also covered.

These have worked for me against raccoons and other night predators: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01EAFNFJ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_FUauzbZVNP87B

Welcome to the wonderful world of chickens!

I would never, ever, encourage anyone to break the law, so get a permit before taking, cleaning, cooking, and eating a delicious wild turkey. It would be against the law, if there was a turkey in your back yard, to quietly catch one (https://www.amazon.com/CHICKEN-CATCHER-CATCHING-POULTRY-TURKEY/dp/B01MZ06EMB), then clean it, (https://www.nwtf.org/hunt/article/how-to-clean-wild-turkey), and cook it (http://www.wideopenspaces.com/tips-cooking-wild-turkey/) and then eat it, perhaps with a nice merlot, without getting a permit first. A permit is required to avoid having the turkey police come into your quiet suburban subdivision, and somehow catch you taking one of the wild turkeys that stand there in your back yard (acting like they own the damn place), or in your driveway (pecking your SUV), and give you a citation for unlicensed turkey depredation. The turkey police could be watching, so I urge you to get a permit, to avoid the extremely slim, almost non-existent, very very slight, teensy weensy, microscopic chance that you might get busted.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you consider getting a Heat Plate Brooder. For example, this one.

The year I used Heat Bulbs like you are, I witnessed one explode into the brooder (sitting quietly on the couch when it happened), and I had another nearly start a fire despite being bolted into the frame I built.

When I upgraded to my Brinsea Heat Plate Brooder for my latest chick batch....I kicked myself in the ass because I did not buy it sooner!

Not only does it provide better warmth and overall coverage for a larger group of chicks....it is almost completely safe! The only thing you must watch out for is if they get unplugged accidentally....resulting in very cold chicks!

There are a few options on Amazon for cheaper or more expensive/larger ones. It may be an investment, but it is worth it! Especially due to the potential of fires happening while you are away!

Edit: Here is a cheaper option. You might find used ones on Ebay/Amazon, elsewhere!

While I was researching for my automatic blinds project I ran into this:

http://www.amzn.com/B007IZJWNQ

Which, aside from the webcam server would allow you to do what you're looking for without the raspi

http://www.amazon.com/Add-A-Motor-D20-Chicken-Coop-Motor/dp/B007IZJWNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410702792&sr=8-1&keywords=automatic+coop+door

I use one and it works great, you do have to get a separate timer and build a sliding door with little to no friction but it’s cheaper than all the others I’ve see and we just had our second light snow today and it’s still going strong. Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/Add-Motor-Automatic-Accessory-D20-120V/dp/B007IZJWNQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=automatic+chicken+coop+door&qid=1573611131&sprefix=automatic+chi&sr=8-7

I got a little ahead of myself posting the video. I'm excited it works! I've still got some more to do, at which point I'll do a complete post about the process.

It's pretty easy though. Everything runs off an extension cord right now. The security camera is this:

http://www.amazon.com/Zmodo-ZM-SH75D001-WA-Camera-Two-way-Monitoring/dp/B00ZZ4HX1K

The coop motor is this:

http://www.amazon.com/Add-A-Motor-Chicken-Automatic-Motor-D20/dp/B007IZJWNQ

and we turn it on and off using a WeMo Wifi plug:

http://www.amazon.com/WeMo-Enabled-Electronics-anywhere-Compatible/dp/B00BB2MMNE

I had a heating plate that was fine in the coop.

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Incubators-Chick-Heating-Brooder/dp/B018KIPZTE/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=chick+heater&qid=1565146615&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I tried the cups, but my chickens couldn't figure out how to get the water out and almost dehydrated. So, I got the sideways chicken nipples and those have been working great. I have three of them on a 5 gallon bucket lifted a few inches off the ground. Then, I have a PVC pipe that goes into the lid on top and out of the run, so I can fill it without going into the run. There's a minor problem of the chickens roosting on the bucket and pooping on the lid, but I'll solve that pretty soon by just putting something up there.

I use a rapid feeder or a chicken watering bucket.

https://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14

https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Farms-Galvanized-Poultry-Drinker/dp/B006ZJHBRU/ref=cm_wl_huc_item

The former is in a medium empty super on the top of my hives. I added a few 1-1/2" screen holes to the inner cover to keep it ventilated and set the feeders over the center opening.

The chicken feeder can get exciting to be around in the fall. I have a pulley system and run it up about 20 feet in the air on one of my pine trees. It also works for watering during the dry season. I just lay some poly rope in the bottom of the tray to avoid drowning bees when it is crowded.

What ever you do you have to worry about drowning bees.

I have not had to do it yet, but I am planning on fashioning a side mount nipple waterer with heater.

the parts:
https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-250-Watt-Heater-Floater-Safety/dp/B002QXN1EQ/ref=pd_bxgy_86_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002QXN1EQ&pd_rd_r=4BE7ZKH6Q8G5V12XNS8K&pd_rd_w=VeR0H&pd_rd_wg=MuKt0&psc=1&refRID=4BE7ZKH6Q8G5V12XNS8K

with your own bucket and side nipples
https://www.amazon.com/Horizontal-Side-Mount-Poultry-Nipples/dp/B00JXUAD0K

or buy a bucket with the side nipples.

my current bucket is bottom nipples but I understand those freeze even with a heater since the water runs down and freezes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JZ5VBW7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DWB3T79/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edited a bunch of after thoughts into this post.

Depends on the amount of chickens and how cold/hot your area is. Starting out, I'd probably do like 4 chickens unless you don't mind the extra bit of work involved with more chickens. I'd recommend having at least 1 roosting area per couple of chickens, although they'll probably end up sharing one particular spot even if you have like 10. Do keep in mind things like brooding with your chickens if you don't have a rooster. They'll get pissed that their eggs aren't hatching and will eventually get aggressive towards you, you'll need to separate them from the rest of the chickens to help them calm down. So plan for multiple areas (later down the line, depending on how old you get your chickens. They can lay eggs for up to 7 years surprisingly.)

I'd recommend maybe something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N42KXC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Lve1CbYY5H5N2

It's a good starter coop and is relatively affordable for up to 10 chickens, although I'd say closer to 8 depending on the breed of chicken. It's good to have an enclosed run (the fence type thing that comes with the coop) while they're younger so you can better control their eating area until they're older. You should get 1 big water fountain for them, as it'll reduce the amount of time you need to spend re-watering them. It's worth the upfront cost of getting a big one that's a few gallons as opposed to getting a small one and eventually getting a big one like I did. You can make your own with some buckets and some PVC pipe fittings if you're up to the task, it's worth getting/making a good quality feeder / waterer for your chickens. Obviously, having a big reservoir will reduce the overall work on your part. You should keep in mind that as your chickens get older, and depending on the size of your backyard / lot, you will eventually let the chickens free roam your area and they'll drastically reduce the amount of feed they'll require as they'll eat bugs and random shit (sometimes literally) in your area.

Windows are good for ventilation of your chickens, you should definitely have a window or two to help air out the coop. That's why I recommend that particular coop I linked above because it has a window already and has a decent amount of space for a couple of chickens when first starting out. Also, try to make an area they can sit on. They like to perch on random things like branches on a tree if it can support their weight. I've had my chickens perch on a bicycle in my property.

If you want to be extra lazy, check out some automatic coop door openers. There's some pretty fancy ones that use a Raspberry Pi to control the door mechanisms and are charged by solar panels. Here's one I use and I love it.


http://hentronix.co.uk/mainstore/hentronix-automatic-chicken-door-opener


MIller Little Giant 7 Gallon Poultry Waterer Fount - The Best https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N6ZTGSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1xe1CbYAJ3CX8

RentACoop Chicken Feeder-Holds 20 Pounds-Pellets-Crumbles-Grain in Bucket - for 21st Century Chicken Owners - Inside or Outside of Coop - Use with Nipple Waterer (2 Feed Ports - Corner (4-6 Hens)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016047Q5G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fze1CbVRJ00G2

They do have water. The white bucket is food grade and has three of these automatic water feeders.

We'll be hanging a food dispenser as well sometime soon. The current one is just a stopgap.

This is the one I settled on: Happy Henhouse Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener Kit for Coops, Cages and Runs, Solar, Timer or Actuator, Poultry (Solar) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B3W9RDW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eehWDbNAGTPPT


I’m actually in central indiana, so pretty comparable. It’s not went through a winter yet, but I doubt it’ll have issues.

Kinda, that one would be great if you're doing 4 or 5 birds. I have a bit bigger one, that works really nice

https://www.amazon.com/Yardbird-21833-Chicken-Plucker/dp/B01BI5D0MK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1526785603&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=chicken+plucker&psc=1

First start your cast iron cookware bubbling with some peanut oil.

Whisk an egg white and make a wash.

Blend flour, corn meal, and seasonings to your taste.

Finally acquire the chicken. Get your running shoes on, get you one of these: https://www.amazon.com/CHICKEN-CATCHER-CATCHING-POULTRY-TURKEY/dp/B01MZ06EMB and roll around St. Matts, Nulu, and the Highlands lookin for coops.

Now combine the ingredients in the obvious fashion, fry till golden brown, and enjoy.

It's one of those gravity-fed ones and it's inside a coop, so the sun won't be hitting it. We've got a heated chicken mat that we're not even sure works, but we thought that was maybe one possibility if we put it under the tray. I see there is a waterer warmer on Amazon, but I'm not sure if A) it works and/or B) using the mat would achieve the same results, not to mention the fact that no matter what I do I'm likely going to have to drill a hole through the coop to be able to run a cord out of it.

Aviary or bird netting over the area they 'free range'. The link below is for 100x50 but they come in all sizes. fence in the area and then cover the top with these. Put a few together and you can end up with a pretty large area for them to run in. If you use T-post for your fencing you can move it around once a year or so if you want too. My personal plan if for 200x100 area covered that I can just leave them in forever.

http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Bird-Netting-Aviary-Poultry/dp/B00CDL3LXC/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1409076747&sr=1-2&keywords=bird+netting

These?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00846NTRI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_lzJ8Ab7A2YFEC

I made a watering bucket for mine. Got a food-grade plastic bucket with lid (for free from Sam's bakery, they go through tons of those icing buckets), cleaned it well.

Ordered chicken nipples from Amazon (way cheaper than getting them through a poultry supply place); drilled four holes in the bottom of the bucket, and put the nipples in. (here is a link to the type I got)

I mounted a hose reel to a post in the run, hung the bucket handle over it, and voila! -- clean water on demand!

It took them about five minutes to figure it out -- now they prefer that to a bowl of water. Only down-side is, I can't use it during the winter due to freezing temperatures. However, from spring through fall, it saves me a ton of work, and means they always have clean fresh water.

This is the one I just used. We had about 6 of 15 eggs hatch. But they were mail order eggs, so perhaps they just were not all fresh.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KDXW5Z1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Think a lot about how you're going to clean out the coop in your design. Nice big doors with good access will make your life a lot easier. Also, keep in mind that chickens will attempt to roost literally anywhere they can manage to fly and perch to, and will manage to get poop into any of those spots, so make sure you design well for that eventuality especially where food and water are concerned. And don't underestimate predators. Be thorough with your security.

Edit: Also worth mentioning: I dropped $100 on an automatic door opener (this one), and it's seriously the best $100 I've ever spent. My ladies get to go out right at the crack of dawn every morning and I don't have to be home to shut them in in the evening. Of course, if you build a super secure run you might not have to worry about that in the first place, but still, chickens are generally safer in a coop at night no matter how secure you make the run.

This is pretty useful for the lazier folks.

Works great. Just add a zwave switch.

Like one of these?

What about hooking up something like this?

Oops! you meant the hutch, not the lawn LOL. I got it here: Aivituvin Outdoor Rabbit House... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HSZY55N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

The enclosure needs to be have a bare floor, no loose bedding.

indoor enclosures should be lifted about a foot off the ground, have a watertight base that is slanted and has a grated drain connected to your actual drain-pipes. This way, you can use a kitchen-sprayer type setup, or a "utility sprayer" from home depot to hose the floor of the enclosure down daily or every other day.

The upfront investment can be high and must be DIY'd, but the maintenance itself will be cheaper in the long run. and much cleaner.

as a cleaner drinker, I would use a nipple cup like https://www.amazon.com/FeedAmerica-Automatic-Poultry-Water-Drink/dp/B07R44YK8X

https://www.amazon.com/AdorStore-Automatic-Chicken-COMPLETE-BATTERY/dp/B079BBHDSQ/ref=sr_1_cc_7?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1535863834&sr=1-7-catcorr&keywords=automatic+chicken+door It wasn't 200 when i bought it so don't freak XD.

Cozy Products CL Safe Chicken Coop Heater 200 Watts Safer Than Brooder Lamps, One Size Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX9K1JI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oNiTCbQ2FATS4

Found it from this site, and we have 3 Ameraucanas. My plan was to keep straw on the ground in the run, and in the coop.

For when it gets very cold, we were going to have this heater in the coop, and also a heated water bowl.

Any other suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated.

That would just be a fire hazard.

You don't need to do anything. They will be fine.

Edit: if you really insist on doing something then you can get warmers specifically for chicken coops:

https://www.amazon.com/Cozy-Products-Chicken-Heater-Technology/dp/B01LX9K1JI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510003928&sr=8-1&keywords=chicken+warmer

What is the build cost on this? With the cost of the motor, pulleys ($70 per video), fingers ($60 per video), wiring/electrical, and miscellaneous materials, you're probably approaching the price of [this](Yardbird Chicken Plucker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BI5D0MK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mePYzb3PHBBBY) which is listed for $425 on Amazon. And that thing is stainless steel (much easier to clean and sterilize, and we are talking about meat processing) and it's fully waterproofed (which is necessary, I know someone who got electrocuted using something like this that was not). It's a cool DIY and I give you props for that, but I'm wondering if it's actually cost effective in comparison.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018KIPZTE?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2

btw. check out this feeder: https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Feeder-Holds-Pounds-Pellets-Crumbles-Grain-Bucket-Placement/dp/B016047Q5G/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1522849960&sr=1-5&keywords=chicken+feeder while it is a pipe feeder I don't expect it to clog and its probably easy to build diy

I bought some vertically mounted nipples on Amazon and made a waterer for inside the coop out of a 5 gallon bucket (http://www.amazon.com/Horizontal-Side-Mount-Poultry-Nipples/dp/B00JXUAD0K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_86_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=51wPoZtroXL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1HVBH3D9JJJRP8X9ZAK3)

I like the use of nipples inside the coop because it keeps them from getting their water continuously dirty. And using a 5 gallon bucket saves me the work of the extra complexity of running water through the wall and into the coop.

how much money do you want to spend?

Amazon sells a 100 foot by 50 foot net. Unfortunately the gaps in the next are about 2 inches. If you fold the net twice i reckon it'll catch ping pong balls. and it will a more manageable 50x25 feet.

A net will be by far the best tool.

its 80 dollars though. https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Bird-Netting-Aviary-Poultry/dp/B00CDL3LXC/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=netting&qid=1555431651&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-9

this one has a half inch mesh. Might be better. https://www.amazon.com/BEST-BIRD-NETTING-Bird-Net/dp/B01GUJBF3U/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bird+net+half+inch+mesh&qid=1555431919&s=pet-supplies&sr=8-1

With a large enough net, and enough friends you should be able to catch all the ping pong balls.

https://www.amazon.com/Oasis-Poultry-Water-Nipples-Pack/dp/B00846NTRI

I think it could be a poultry waterer of the double-wall variety, missing the top piece. The pipe is hooked up to a hose for refilling (edit, or for the vent?). But I’m not sure the top lip would be covered by water allowing this to work.

https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Farms-Galvanized-Poultry-Drinker/dp/B006ZJHBRU#productDescription_secondary_view_div_1520471474997