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For those of you who have homesteaders or chicken keepers in your life, you may be wondering what chicken related gifts would truly be appreciated. I’ll be sharing recommendations for the 10 Best Gifts For Chicken Keepers.
I’ve personally been keeping chickens for over 10 years (likely closer to 15, but who’s counting). Every year I adjust products I’m using to help ebb and flow with the seasons, predators, or chicken issues that arise. It’s a fun challenge and throughout these adjustments I’ve found some staples that I stick with regardless.
10 Best Gifts For Chicken Keepers
- Roll Away Nesting Boxes:
For someone that doesn’t keep chickens, this may seem silly (or even lazy). Truth be told, it’s actually really helpful but something that most chicken keepers have a hard time justifying buying themselves. With multiple chickens using each nesting box, naturally they track dirt and poo in from the coop they’ve been walking in. What they track in gets on the eggs since the nesting box is shared and by the end of the day eggs may be broken or really dirty in those nesting boxes. In a rollaway nesting box, the egg gets laid and once the hen moves or stands the natural incline of the box encourages the egg to gently roll into the collection bin where it stays clean and protected from traffic or even egg-eating hens. This is a great roll away nesting box that comes in two sizes. Small Rollaway Nest Box: https://amzn.to/3OXJTlt
Large Rollaway Nest Box: https://amzn.to/3BzM6R1 - Meal Worms:
Meal worms may seem excessive to the unknowing chicken keeper, however, these are actually an excellent source of protein for the chickens. While they are considered a treat, not a full meal, mealworms help support growth, egg production, and help hens through the molting process. Not to mention, once then hens are fed these helpful treats, they’ll be running your way every time they see you just like a dog.
Mealworms: https://amzn.to/41Ac5SS - Incubator:
Most chicken keepers decide to incubate eggs at some point to help save costs and ensure productive layers. I’ve personally used this 41 egg incubator for the last 3 years and I’ve had good success with it. I’ll be sharing a specific post with tips or trick on how to use this in the future but for now this would make a well received gift for any chicken enthusiast on you your list.
Incubator: https://amzn.to/3Dldv9V - Heat Plate:
Once you incubate eggs and hatch out little chickens, you need a way to keep them warm and dry while they’re little. Most people start with a heat lamp but gosh they can be dangerous. I prefer this brooder plate which can accommodate up to 20 chicks and is claimed to be much safer to use than a heat lamp:
Heat Plate: https://amzn.to/4gBdaOJ - Chicken Saddle:
Between chickens molting, aggressive roosters, and boredom causing hens to pick at each others feathers, these chicken saddles will come in handy throughout the year. They may seem silly, but they sure beat trying to to catch a chicken each day to spread healing ointment on their back. I especially love the saddles that I’ve linked because they are intended to match common chicken feather colors which I’d yet to see until now – brilliant!
Pick a color or grab one of each:
White & Black: https://amzn.to/3ZCL92n
Black: https://amzn.to/4ggJfeW
Buff: https://amzn.to/3Bu5krk - Egg Basket:
As a keeper of chickens, I always dismissed the need for an egg basket. I would find any regular basket or container I had around my house and it worked for what I needed. Each time I brought the eggs in my house, I also brought shavings, hay, and chicken droppings that may have been loosely attached to the eggs. Having a wire egg basket specifically made for eggs helps keep the eggs from breaking while also allowing debris to fall away from the eggs. In my opinion, it’s a great investment that a chicken keeper may not splurge on.
Egg Basket: https://amzn.to/49IfOA8 - Egg Storage Container:
Egg crates are easy to find and re-use but over time they get dirty and need to be recycled. It’s a nice treat to be able to see how many eggs are available at quick glance. It’s also so helpful to be able to wash an egg container when the time comes. Below are two of my favorites. The clear container with top is the once that’s currently in my fridge and I love it!
Clear Egg Container with Top: https://amzn.to/3OVlaOP
Roll Forward Egg Container: https://amzn.to/3BmTO0W - Automatic Door:
An automatic coop door is SUCH a help for a busy chicken keeper! An automatic door lets the chicken ladies out of the coop at dawn, letting you walk to the coop to collect eggs at your leisure. Busy with dinner or kids sports? The automatic chicken coop door will close at dusk on it’s own. Once the chickens learn when the door closes at night they will reliably will be in their coop in time.
Automatic Coop Door: https://amzn.to/4iFesKw - Space Saving Metal Feeder:
This particular metal feeder is helpful since it holds up to 50 lbs of feed and hands on the wall fitting between two studs. For small coops, it can save a lot of floor space, leaving more room for the hens to move around while still maintaining access to their feed. One note on this particular feeder, this one isn’t intended for exterior use as it’s not entirely waterproof.
Space Saving Metal Feeder: https://amzn.to/4fg4wEg - All Season Bell Waterer:
All of my chicken waterers have water nipples that the chickens can activate and drink simply by pecking. This All Season Bell Waterer not only has those same water nipples that I love, but it can also be heated. This is a total game changer for anyone living in an area where it gets below freezing. Premier 1 is well known for their electric fencing but they supply only the very best equipment for animals and this is a great example of it.
All Season Bell Waterer: https://amzn.to/4iEQ0bT
Any of the items listed above would be well received by a chicken keeper. If you note the reasons I mention for buying when you gift the item, they’ll really think you did your research as well.
Those are my recommendations for the 10 Best Gifts For Chicken Keepers. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy (chicken filled) holiday season.
