Essential Chicken Keeping Equipment and Supplies

Essential Chicken Keeping Supplies

Keeping chickens is a rewarding experience, but it comes with responsibilities that go beyond feeding and collecting eggs. To ensure your hens stay healthy, happy and productive, there are certain essential chicken keeping supplies every owner should have on hand. From daily care items to medical treatments, this guide will walk you through the must-haves for every backyard chicken keeper.

Daily care supplies

Feed and supplements

Chickens require a balanced diet to stay in good condition and lay regularly. The two main types of food are:

• Layers pellets or mash: Provide the core nutrition your hens need.
• Mixed corn: A treat best given in the afternoon to avoid diluting nutrient intake.

In addition, you’ll need:

• Grit: Essential for digestion, as chickens don’t have teeth.
• Crushed oyster shell: Provides calcium to strengthen eggshells.

Poultry tonics and supplements

While a good diet is usually sufficient, many keepers choose to add tonics to support their flock’s health. These include:

• Poultry Spice: A mineral-rich supplement to boost general condition.
• Apple cider vinegar (unpasteurised): Helps with stress and internal parasites.
• Respite: An expectorant to support respiratory health.
• Nettex Poultry Tonic: Supports immunity and recovery.

Always follow the instructions and avoid over-supplementing.

Feeders, waterers and measuring tools

• Daytime feeder and waterer: For use in the run.
• Night-time feeder and waterer: Particularly helpful during winter.
• Measuring jug: Ensures correct quantities of food and supplements are provided.

Cleaning supplies

Maintaining a clean coop is essential for preventing illness and keeping parasites at bay.

Tools:

• Rubber gloves
• Exterior sweeping brush
• Mop and bucket
• Large dustpan and brush
• Old cloths or rags
• Hosepipe (if possible)
• Compost bin (for droppings and bedding)

Disinfectants:

Use animal-safe products such as:

• Poultry Shield
• Nettex Disinfectant Powder

Avoid bleach or ammonia-based products, which can be harmful to chickens.

First aid and medical care

Even with the best care, chickens can fall ill or get injured. Be prepared with the right treatments.

Parasite control:

• Red mite and lice: Use powders or sprays such as Diatom or Smite.
• Worms: Treat regularly with Flubenvet, the only UK-licensed poultry wormer.
• Scaly leg mite: Treat with petroleum jelly or a specialist product like Nettex Scaly Leg Treatment.

Illness treatment:

• Coxoid: Treats coccidiosis. Look out for blood in droppings, lethargy or a drop in egg production.

First aid essentials:

• Wound powder or spray: Antiseptic protection for minor cuts or pecking injuries.

Final thoughts

Having the right essential chicken keeping supplies at hand helps you provide your flock with the consistent, attentive care they need to thrive. Good preparation makes daily routines easier and means you’re ready to act quickly when health issues arise.