You don’t need a barn or a Pinterest-perfect setup to raise chickens — but you will thank yourself for having the right tools in place early on.
Here are three practical tools that actually make backyard chicken keeping easier — and why they’re worth it.
1. Automatic Chicken Coop Door
If you’ve ever forgotten to close the coop — or raced outside in the dark to shut it — you already know why this is first on the list.
An automatic coop door opens and closes on its own using a timer or daylight sensor, keeping your flock protected even when you’re not home.
Why it matters:
- Helps prevent predator attacks (foxes, cats, stray dogs)
- Keeps you from being tied to a strict morning/evening routine
- One-time setup, daily peace of mind
Trusted pick:
Run-Chicken Model T50 Automatic Coop Door
What to look for:
- No Wi-Fi required (simpler is better)
- Battery backup
- Durable metal housing
2. Hanging Galvanized Feeder
Open trays waste feed. Rodents love them. And your birds will scratch, scatter, and sit in them if given the chance.
A hanging galvanized feeder keeps feed clean, elevated, and consistent — with less waste and hassle.
Why it helps:
- Reduces feed costs (less mess = less refilling)
- Keeps mice and rats away
- Easier to clean and refill
Popular model:
Harris Farms Hanging Poultry Feeder – 10 lb Capacity
Tip: Hang it at the height of your birds’ backs — not their heads.
3. Washable Nesting Pads
Straw seems fine — until you’re scraping poop out of it every few days. Reusable nesting pads are softer than they look, and hens take to them quickly.
Why it works:
- Cleaner eggs (less breakage, less scrubbing)
- Hens don’t kick it out like loose hay
- Just rinse and reuse
Recommended:
Precision Pet Nesting Pads (Set of 6)
Bonus tip: Add a sprinkle of herbs or dried lavender for odor control — the hens don’t mind.
Final Thought
You don’t need a shed full of gear — but these three tools can cut out common frustrations right from the start.
Start simple. Think long-term. Let the right tools make the routine easier — so you can focus on the good stuff: the eggs, the rhythm, and the flock.