Our Basics: Recommendations for your flock from hatching, chicks, and up.


Caring for and feeding your flock comes with so many options to choose from—it can feel a bit overwhelming at times! Over the years, we’ve tried a variety of products, and we’ve put together this list of our top recommendations to help make the process easier for you and your growing flock.

These are products that we use and recommend - many of our review videos can be found on our Amazon Storefront page and I will be adding short videos here as well as comments. This page is a work in progress. If you have a question about any of the products, just reach out.

Just a little heads-up! 🐓💛 Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and love for my flock, and every little bit helps support our homestead (and keeps my chickens happy with their favorite treats!). Thanks for your support! 😊

Feed & Treats

--> Chicks (0–8 weeks): New Country Organics Starter Feed (21%) --> we feed this mash for the first 8 weeks

--> Manna Pro Chick Grit with Probiotics --> once chicks start treats we provide access to grit

-->Wide Mouth 1 Gallon Glass Jar with Lid - 2 Pack --> we use this jar to ferment our feed (you can also use a bucket)

Scratch

--> Scratch and Peck Whole Grain Scratch + Corn- Soy-Free - (9% Protein) Organic and Non-GMO (40 lbs) --> used as late afternoon snack in the winter to help boost metabolism for body heat

Note: Scratch is NOT feed, it is a snack/treat - you can identify scratch from the low protein content and should make up 10% or less of a chicken's diet


Treats/Snacks

--> Bulk Dried Mealworms 10 Lbs - Non GMO Dried Mealworms for Chickens (US originated) --> a flock favorite and ours too - produced in the United States

--> Season Sardines in Water - No Salt Added, Wild Caught, 22g of Protein 12-Pack --> these are a great snack especially when extra protein is needed especially during molting

-->Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Pumpkin Seeds, 6 Lbs Raw, Unsalted --> often add this to the afternoon treats

--> Raw Sunflower Seed Kernels by We Got Nuts - Raw, Shelled & Unsalted 5 lbs --> often add to afternoon treats

Note: Treats should make up 10% or less of a chicken's regular diet. We feed scratch and treats in the late afternoon. This ensures that the flock has eaten a sufficient amount of their regular nutritionally balanced feed


Sprouting Seeds

--> USDA Organic Alfalfa Sprouting Seeds 1 lb (Amazon)

--> Food to Live Organic Antioxidant Mix of Sprouting Seeds, 1 lb - Broccoli, Alfalfa, Clover (Amazon)

--> Nature Jims Sprouts Salad Mix: Broccoli, Alfalfa, Radish, Clover Sprouting Seeds Variety - 1lb (Amazon)

--> Organic sprouting seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs --> high quality sprouting seeds from my preferred supplier

--> Sprout bag from Mountain Rose Herbs --> highly recommend - the sprouting bag works very well and we like it much better than the mason jar or sprouting systems especially in the winter (video here)

--> 5 Pack of Durable Black Plastic Growing Trays (Without Drain Holes) 21" X 11" X 2" --> (Amazon) I use these in the summer to grow sprouts outside. In the summer I use a sprouting bag.

Note: all these sprouting seeds are great, I always use Mountain Rose first but will buy from Amazon if I am already ordering or based on availability - since we do not free range, we provide fresh organic sprouts several times a week

 


Supplemental Herbs

--> Starwest Botanicals Organic Thyme Leaf Cut, 1lb bag 

--> Blend of Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Rosemary and Thyme herbs, Non-GMO, 1lb bag   

--> Organic Calendula Flowers - 1 lb 100% Certified Organic - Marigolds - EarthWise Aromatics    

--> Red Pepper Flakes, 1 lb, Spicy, Seasonings & Rubs      

--> Pure Parsley Flakes, (1 lb)      

--> Frontier Herb Organic Dill Weed, 16 oz      

--> Frontier Co-op Organic Cut & Sifted Stinging Nettle Leaf 1lb    

--> Frontier Co-op Rubbed Sage Leaf, 1 lb, Organic

--> Wide Mouth 1 Gallon Glass Jar with Lid - 2 Pack --> we use this jar to store our mixed herbs

Note: We create our own blend of dried herbs which we daily mix in with the fermented feed. It mixes best (sticks to it) with the fermented feed to ensure none of the herbs are wasted. Also, any of these can be added to the nesting box herbs.

 

Carlyle Organic Oil of Oregano Liquid Drops | 2 fl oz | - great additive to water for the chickens


Nesting Box Herbs

--> Davidson's Tea Bulk, Organic Peppermint Leaves, 16-Ounce Bag    

--> J MAC BOTANICALS Organic Rose Petals, Bulk 1 Pound Bag, organic culinary grade

--> J MAC BOTANICALS, Organic Lavender Buds (32 oz, 2 Pound Bag)

--> Organic Chamomile Flowers - 1 lb, Organic - EarthWise Aromatics

--> Starwest Botanicals Organic Lemongrass C/S, 1 lb

32 Qt Stackable Plastic Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Pack --> these bins make a great storage bin for your nest box herb mix

Note: Mixing your own herbs is easy, less expensive, and allows you to create custom blends that meet your flock's needs.


Feeders and Drinkers

--> Elementi Fermentation Weight Set --> Fermentation weights for the first few days for my newly hatched babies. They are small, shallow, easy to reach and minimize the risk of drowning

These are the chick feeder and waterer sets that I use. They are all basically the same. Although the adjustable heights are nice, I usually use a brick or shelf to raise them for stability issues

--> Chick Feeder (1.5kg) and Waterer (1.5L) Kit with 3 Adjustable Heights -

--> RentACoop 1 Liter Feeder and 1.5 Liter Drinker Set with Two (2) Poultry Platform Adjustable Stands      

--> Baby Chick Feeder or Waterer (Pack of 1)

--> RentACoop Chick2Chicken 5lb 2-Port Feeder and 1-Gal Small Cage Waterer Set --> better for larger brooders

--> Cups Birds Feeders Seed Bowl --> works for grit or calcium

--> Garden Animal Barrier Fence, 1.65inch Spike Spacing No Dig Fence --> used for predator protection but also works perfectly as a feed cup stand for grit and calcium

    

--> RentACoop Chick2Chicken 10lb BPA-Free 4-Port Feeder - Includes Anti-Roost Cone --> my rooster does not care for this feeder because its hard to reach inside for the food with his comb, hens love it with no issues (Watch video)

--> Harris Farms Free Range Hanging Poultry Feeder | Twist Lock Base | 10 Pound --> my rooster prefers this feeder

Note: When I integrate I will use both feeders in the run to make sure all have access to feed, otherwise I just use the open feeder

--> RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer with Auto-Fill Cups, Horizontal Nipples, Anti-Roost Cone and Mounting Kit

--> Little Giant® Deep Base Poultry Waterer | Chicken Waterer (Watch video)

--> 2Pcs Metal Stand for Chicken Feeder /Waterer --> I use the stands and sometimes cinderblocks, the stands are good when you have chicks in the run as it gives them a good hiding spot

--> Large Collapsible Dog Bowls, 34oz with Carabiner Clip, 2 Pack (Purple+Red) --> this works well placed up on a roost bar or another spot as an extra food bowl if needed especially good when integrating

--> Fortex Feeder Pan for Dogs/Cats and Horses, 4-Quart --> I use this bowl to serve fermented feed and snacks to the flocks (I dump everything into the bowl to serve everyone)

--> 5 Gallon Bucket - 3 Pack, White, Heavy Duty BPA-Free Plastic Bucket --> many uses from storing feed, to the bucket mousetrap (lids are not included)

Heat Sources (Chicks)

--> K&H Pet Products Thermo-Peep Heated Pad Tan Petite 9" x 12"  --> this works as an additional/secondary heat source - in colder weather, my larger babies transition from inside to an unheated brooder room, we use this if necessary for supplemental heat during the transition

I've tested many brands, Brinsea and RentACoop are my favorites. They work the same, I use whichever fits the particular brooder best and can accommodate the number of chicks needing heat

--> RentACoop 10" x 10" Inch Adjustable Heating Plate (square)

--> Brinsea Ecoglow Safety 600 12" x 8" (rectangle)

--> RentACoop Chick Brooder Heating Plate Up to 30 Chicks - 16" x 16" (square)

Note: The number of chicks listed is usually the number that fits at 1 week, they grow fast and may outgrow the heat plate fast if yours is not big enough.

--> Simple Deluxe Adjustable Clamp Lamp with 10.5" Aluminum Reflector and Bulb Guard, 250W E --> additional heat source in my unheated brooder room, I use when needed - I prefer heat plates to the heat lamp as the primary heat source

--> 250 Watts Heat Lamp Bulbs, R40 Brooder Heat Lamp for Chickens - bulb for the heat lamp (doesn't come with one)

Bedding

--> Amazon Basics Dog and Puppy Pee Pads 22 x 22 Inches, Pack of 150 - I use these for the new chicks for the first few days, I can check that there is "normal" poop, and its not slippery footing for them

--> RentACoop Premium Hemp Bedding (300 L) x 1 Pack - E.U. Grown - my favorite bedding for the chicks

--> 32 Lb Bag of Dominion Hemp, Grade A Premium USA Grown Chicken Coop Hemp Bedding, (285L) - back up bedding option if the other isn't available

--> Koop Clean: this is a great product. I use it for my runs, chicks, and nest boxes. I get this locally and it's half the price. I highly suggest you call around for this but as a last resort, it is available on Amazon. For my local MA friends, Hanson Grain (Hanson, MA) carries this.

Note: Check your local feed stores as you might find better prices - and also compare to Amazon & Chewy.




Incubators

--> Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right Egg Incubator for Hatching Chicks - Holds 12-22 Eggs - Automatic Egg Turner with Temperature and Humidity Control - 360 Degree View with Clear Window  --> I have 2 of these and I use for lockdown and hatching, although it says will hold 22 eggs, this is fine until they start hatching, I personally wouldn't hatch more than 10-12 so there is room for the new chicks - eggs roll in this one

--> Farm Innovators 41 Egg Digital Circulated Air Incubator w/Auto Turning & Humidity Control --> I use this incubator to incubate only, the turner keeps the eggs upright and they rock forward and back- This is good for shipped eggs with detatched air cells

--> Chickcozy Egg Incubator for Hatching Chicks, Automatic Egg Turner with Thermometer Seat and Humidity Control, Egg Candler, 360° View with Clear Window --> this is my preferred incubator for hatching, it's easiest to clean, easy to quickly open and close, the eggs rock in this one too

--> Weewooday 3 Pcs Indoor Outdoor Thermometer 2 in 1 Mini Home Temperature Humidity Hygrometer Monitor Gauge --> this works very well and is most accurate, many that are enclosed in plastic don't give true readings

--> Magicfly Rechargeable Egg Candler, Bright Cool LED Light Candling Lamp --> I have 4 different candlers, this is my favorite, it has a nice bright light and easy to re-charge



First Aid Kit

Dyne Pet-Ag High Calorie Liquid Nutritional Supplement - Dyne is a high-calorie liquid nutritional supplement that is often used to provide extra energy and calories to chickens, especially during times of stress, illness, molting, or recovery. It’s also beneficial for chickens that are underweight or need additional support due to cold weather or high energy demands (Read more here) - I used this when I had a little one with a cross-beak and failure to thrive

Hyland's PRID Drawing Salve for bumblefoot

2 Pack Chicken Protective Shoes for Bumblefoot      

Nutri-Drench Poultry Solution 4 fl oz

Chlorhexidine 2% solution One Gallon antibacterial aqueous cleaning solution to be applied on superficial cuts, abrasions or insect stings

Kaeco Selenium & Vitamin E Gel 80 mL Tube (vitamin supplement)

Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax 200 g (7oz) - Moisturizing Dog Paw Balm that Creates an Invisible Barrier That Protects and Heals Dry Cracked Paws - All-Natural with Vitamin E and Food-Grade Ingredients - for comb and wattles (many use vaseline, which is not recommended, Musher's Secret is a good alternative)

Durvet Permethrin 10%, 8oz BROAD SPECTRUM: Kills darkling beetles, bed bugs, poultry lice, fowl mites, horn flies, house flies, face flies, fleas, ticks, lice, and mange mites

Safe-guard (Fenbendazole) Dewormer Liquid 125ml

BH Supplies 3ml Luer Lock Tip Syringes (No Needle) - Sterile, Individually Wrapped - 100 Syringes

12 Pack - 1ml Plastic Syringe with Measurement, No Needle Feeding Pets

Epsoak Epsom Salt 19 lb. Unscented, Made in The USA, Cruelty-Free Certified

Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder Fast-Acting Blood Stop Powder 0.5 oz.

Amazon Basics First Aid Antiseptic, 10% Povidone Iodine Solution, 8 Fluid Ounces (Previously Solimo) (cleaning wounds)

Vetericyn Plus Poultry Care Spray | Healing Aid and Skin Repair

VetRx Poultry Aid 2oz (more about how to use VetRx)

AUPCON Vet Wrap Cohesive Bandages 2 Inch x 5 Yards