(Part 2) Best poultry farm equipment according to redditors
We found 87 Reddit comments discussing the best poultry farm equipment. We ranked the 60 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
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!
What kind of wall decal is this?!
I don't think you can ride those
Uh...NSFW recipes
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Plucker-Fingers-Feather-plucker/dp/B00MQLFD80
I've used bulbs, this is a safer product. No risk of fire or overheating chicks.
https://www.amazon.com/Premier-Chick-Brooder-Heating-Plate/dp/B00W43PHTA
Amazon.
They're made out of rubber, you just drill a 3/4" hole and work them through it. https://www.amazon.com/Pinty-Chicken-Plucker-Fingers-Plucking/dp/B017QYIH98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479356224&sr=8-1&keywords=plucker+fingers
you could get an automatic coop door:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TONTHRG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We have a coop run that is highly secured, and a main coop that is also secured. We close the coop run manually, and the main coop house closes automatically. All it took was closing the girls in the main coop run then letting themselves get locked out overnight a few times for them to learn to get in the house. Now we have gone down after dark more than once and all the girls are in the house and the door closed.
you would need to secure the main run area better to use our approach though. Our run is enclosed on all sides (including bottom) with 1/2" hardware cloth. Right next to the main house door (where the girls tend to sit if they get locked out) is #8 mesh. All mesh is secured between pieces of cedar framing with screws running through the cedar and the mesh.
We use the slide type doors which I feel are more secure than other options. one I made myself with diamond plate aluminum (if you can get flat aluminum I recommend it) that slides between rails of flat bar aluminum that have a gap created by washers. You can also buy a very similar design if you want to:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018KIVUC0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The biggest thing you need to do to secure your coop/run area is enclose the entire thing in hardware cloth. It needs to be the small 1/2" hardware cloth like here: https://www.amazon.com/Hardware-Galvanized-Chicken-Supports-Poultry/dp/B015PD9F52/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1499439834&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=hardware+cloth&psc=1.
When I say enclose, I mean fully enclose on all sides including top and bottom. The cloth must be screwed/anchored in place (not just stapled). If you use larger cloth then animals such as racoons can reach through and grab the chickens. You should include the house in the enclosure. If you do not secure the bottom then they will just dig under and in.
I've had animals try and fail to get into my coop. I came out one day to find blood all over one side of the coop where an animal had tried to scratch its way in and lost claws. I also have come out to find that animals had tried to dig under the coop only to find hardware cloth there as well. you MAY be able to get away with just putting a hardware cloth skirt a few feet out from the coop but I prefer to just have the floor be hardware cloth.
Finally, all latches that allow us to get into the coop are safety latches since racoons can figure out normal latches. we mostly use hook and eyes like these (I use stainless though): https://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Plated-Wire-Safety-4-Pack/dp/B01LYNKFIL/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499440049&sr=1-1&keywords=hook+and+eye+safety+latch
Though our main coop door does have this sort of latch (which we intend to add a padlock to if there are signs of animals getting in through it): https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-National-Hardware-CD1271-Sliding/dp/B009YNW3QS/ref=sr_1_12?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1499440093&sr=1-12&keywords=gate+latch+lock
I got your chicken nipples right here
It is the basic setup. I would make sure you have them all. If you can go for a [jhook hive tool](Bee Hive Tool - Pistha Stainless Steel J-Type Hive Tool Frame Lifter and Scraper Beekeeping Equipment 10.6 Inch https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B06VWP8W47/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_D5TzzbA9X60CE) as they can help with getting out stubborn frames.
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
Dunno how well it'll hold up to things other than bees, but I always recommend a vented suit!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01A3V9RYA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466955739&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=vented+bee+suit&dpPl=1&dpID=41Hc78I21PL&ref=plSrch
Well one option for 9-12 eggs is https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Digital-Incubator-Poultry-Chicken/dp/B01H1S1NZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488250669&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=incubator&psc=1
there is also this one that lets you do up to 48 you dont have to but its way less expensive. https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products-Incubator-Temperature/dp/B010OUJCGS/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1488250669&sr=8-10&keywords=incubator
Aside from that i got nothing else ^_^. I always think the brinsea are to pricey. I personally get by with a foam incubator, the magifly mini, and hopefully soon my 4 silkie hens.
I actually picked it up off amazon. The base is Best Choice Products Outdoor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DLE5HJU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
And we added the extra run: Precision Extreme Hen House Expansion Pen https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B006F8DOQ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_cDmGDbHA9CTFB
There are some cool Arduino kits that are pretty easy to combine into something cool. SOme people suggested working on mechanical things, and projects like putting together an Arduino car combine mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines and you get a pretty neat thing out of it.
This kit is $50 but there are plenty of cool things you can do with Arduino for much cheaper!
My oven can't touch that temp either. I was thinking about using a egg incubator. It has a tray below I could fill with desiccant, and can reach those temps. Pretty easy to control the humidity in it, without water it will dry out what is in side.
https://www.amazon.com/GQF-1588-Genesis-Hova-Bator-Incubator/dp/B01GWF7HGG/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1539092910&sr=8-18&keywords=incubator
Put blinders on the one that's pecking.
https://www.amazon.com/PHEASANT-POULTRY-CHICKEN-BLINDERS-BLOCKER/dp/B01ND12UJX
WOW. Answering my own question - $25. http://www.amazon.com/Amdirect-Digital-Transparent-Chicken-Incubator/dp/B0146VNY06?ie=UTF8&keywords=incubator%20for%20chicken%20eggs&qid=1465342186&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3
You could legit start your own chicken farm for $30 flat.
https://smile.amazon.com/Shannons-Chixx-Colorful-Poultry-Charms/dp/B06XN5Y899 or
https://smile.amazon.com/Shannons-Chixx-Colorful-Poultry-Charms/dp/B06Y43T97G
https://www.amazon.com/Biodegradable-Fiber-Flats-MT-Products/dp/B073R964C9/ref=sr_1_9?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1521928785&sr=8-9&keywords=egg+carton
prime even!
I agree that your best bet is to try to distract the mean chick with other things to peck at - now might be a good time to try a poultry nipple waterer like this - just add to a 20 oz coke bottle: https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Fountain-Brooder-Bottle-Cap/dp/B00W4JOCQS/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=poultry+nipple+bottle+cap&qid=1554669855&s=gateway&sr=8-2
You could try spraying all the chicks feet with BlueKote - a topical treatment that disguises wounds - but be careful when spraying it, as it stains.