It’s the new millennial’s dream: raising chickens and living simply. But this is more than just a passing trend — it’s a generation getting back to the basics after decades of life-changing events and experiences. The simple art of homesteading brings everything into perspective, and encourages a calm, intentional approach to everyday life. So, if you’re thinking about trying your hand at homesteading, even in an urban setting, here’s some inspiration to get started.
How to make a home a homestead
The term “homestead” has taken on new meaning in recent years. Traditionally, a homestead was an ancestral home, or a tract of land of a certain size that occupants agreed to occupy for at least 5 years. Homesteads are now what people think of as self-sufficient households — ranging from off-the-grid living, to simply growing food or keeping a small flock of chickens. The main idea of a modern day homestead is to live more sustainably and simply. And thanks to modern chicken setups, any home can be a homestead.
Living simply starts with chickens
Most families have pets, but not all pets can help create a homestead. Chickens are unique in their ability to supply eggs for your family while also providing grounding and educational companionship. Gardening can be an enjoyable pastime, but plants don’t have personalities like hens do. And you may feed your sourdough starter, but it won’t come racing toward you at mealtimes the way your flock will. Chickens have a charm unique to themselves, as well as several practical benefits to a homestead.
Chicken eggs: the homestead superfood
It’s no secret that chicken eggs are a superfood. In fact, they’re an excellent source of protein, and contain most of the essential vitamins and minerals that the human body needs. And with most laying breeds of chickens producing 200+ eggs per year, your family can benefit from fresh, nutritious eggs on a daily basis.
If you have a rooster as part of your flock, your children — and yourself — can enjoy the fascinating process of incubating and hatching fertilized eggs. Chicken eggs hatch after 21 days in the incubator, and chicks can be integrated into your flock to bolster your numbers. Hatching chicks is an invaluable way to learn life lessons and glimpse into the wonder and beauty of new life.
Gathering eggs is another daily activity that the entire family can take part in. Heading to your chicken coop in the afternoon to collect fresh eggs is a simple pleasure with rewarding results. There’s nothing quite like collecting an egg from the nesting box while it’s still warm to add to your family’s supply. Add some chickens that lay colored eggs to your flock, and enjoy a gorgeous assortment of hues that rival an Easter basket.
Hens help in the garden
Chickens make excellent pest control for your yard or garden. Use chicken fencing or a chicken tractor to keep your prized produce out of sampling range, while still allowing your flock to patrol the borders of your plants. Chickens eat a variety of common garden pests, including:
Grubs
Beetles
Ants
Scorpions
Spiders
Snails and slugs
Save what you clean out of the coop for your compost pile — your flock’s nitrogen-rich droppings make excellent fertilizer once composted. And, when you allow your hens access to the compost pile, they’ll scratch through and turn the contents for you in search of insects, saving you the trouble.
Flocks make fantastic friends
As any chicken keeper will tell you, there are few things more grounding and relaxing than watching your flock peck the ground, especially on a warm spring day. Hens will happily chase insects, scratch the earth in search of fresh offerings, and chatter at each other as they settle in for a dust bath or stretch out for a luxurious nap in the sunshine. Bring them fresh greens or other chicken-safe treats from the kitchen, and you’ll soon be surrounded by an enthusiastic audience.
Chickens are flock animals, and thrive in the company of others, but many chickens also form strong bonds with their keepers. Take your favorite book outside and sit with your flock for the ultimate way to unwind. Some hens may even join you on your lap, while others may be content to tend to the ground beneath your feet. Either way, they’ll be happy for your company while you soak in their soothing presence.
Start living the simple life
Whether you’re aiming to start a completely self-sufficient homestead, or just looking to bring some wholesome, simplicity to your daily life, chickens are the perfect way to start. Being outside while caring for your chickens brings a mindfulness that’s hard to replicate outside of tending to animals — especially when chicken chores are an anticipated activity. Setting up your flock with the right essentials will help simplify your routine and their care, making each day a therapeutic experience. For a satisfyingly simple routine, choose:
A plastic chicken coop that’s easy to clean, giving you the thrill of a job well done without monumental effort.
With the right setup, you won’t have to worry about your flock falling prey to chicken predators, or spend more time maintaining their coop than with your hens.
Omlet and your flock
Our chicken keeping essentials may be state-of-the-art, but they’ve been designed to bring everything back to the basics of solid, quality chicken coops and secure chicken runs for a lifetime of use and performance. Add a Smart Autodoor for simplified routines and schedules, all while staying connected to your flock. Now’s the time: bake the sourdough, sprout the seeds, and get the chickens — and rediscover life the simpler way.
Meet Yvonne, the warmhearted chicken keeper who welcomed our film crew and inventions into her home
Yvonne’s smallholding became the filming location for Because of the Chicken, capturing the joy and connection her flock brings to everyone around her. What began as a simple plan to add chickens to her self-sustaining garden in California has evolved into something much more. These feathered friends have brought purpose, peace, and even played a key role in improving her son Jalen’s mental health. This is the story of how a small flock of chickens transformed not only Yvonne’s life, but her family’s as well.
A seed of an idea that grew into something stronger
Yvonne’s chicken-keeping journey began in the summer of 2021. Inspired by her newfound passion for gardening, she decided to introduce chickens to her property as part of a self-sustaining ecosystem. “I didn’t want to use pest control or commercial fertilizers,” she explains. “I wanted a system where everything worked together—they eat the bugs, they make the fertilizer, and the eggs are just a bonus!”
Starting with eight chickens in her barn, Yvonne soon found herself adding more, and now proudly cares for a flock of 20. Each chicken brings its own charm, but the Americanas hold a special place in her heart. “They’re our favorite breed,” Yvonne says, “though we love them all for their individual personalities.”
Finding calm in the coop
While the chickens were intended to support Yvonne’s garden, they quickly became something much more powerful—especially for her son, Jalen.
“He struggles with major depression and anxiety,” Yvonne shares. “But since we’ve had the chickens, I’ve seen a dramatic improvement in him. He’s really connected to them. Helping me raise them from newborns to fully grown has given him something special to focus on.”
For Jalen, the chickens became a reason to step outside each day—something Yvonne says nothing else could have convinced him to do. “He’s grounded with nature now. It’s been incredible to see the change in him.”
Bringing the whole family together
The chickens have brought joy to the entire family, especially Yvonne’s grandchildren.
“They love collecting the eggs,” Yvonne says. “They’re all different colors, so the basket looks like Easter every time.”
The chickens have even become part of the games the grandchildren play. “When the dog digs a hole looking for a gopher, the chickens rush in to hunt for bugs—they don’t even care that dirt’s flying everywhere. It’s hilarious!”
A new rhythm to life
Because of the chickens, Yvonne’s days are now shaped by sunrise and sunset. “I’m up at 5 a.m. every morning,” she says. “I see every sunrise and sunset now, and I get my vitamin D, get grounded with nature, and enjoy the peace and harmony they bring.”
In return for their care, Yvonne’s chickens provide plenty of delicious eggs. “We eat a lot of egg burritos, French toast, pancakes, and scrambled egg and cheese sandwiches,” she laughs. “Nothing fancy, but everything’s better with fresh eggs.”
A message to anyone thinking of getting chickens
For Yvonne, the impact of her flock has been undeniable. “Because of the chickens, we have love, peace, and harmony,” she says. “They’ve changed our lives in ways I never expected.”
To those considering starting their own flock, Yvonne’s advice is simple: “Go for it. They’re worth every second.”
Because chickens are more than just fresh eggs—they’re therapy, they’re connection, they’re joy. They fix us, in ways we never imagined.
Experienced chicken keeper, Dr Tanya Bailey, is an Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) Program Coordinator at the University of Minnesota and founder of Boynton Health’s PAWS (Pet Away Worry & Stress) Program. Tanya works with registered therapy chickens through the PAWS program, using Omlet products as a way to support human wellbeing, and to deepen the connection between people and chickens. Omlet co-founder, Hanns, caught up with her to learn more about PAWS.
A Journey into Chicken Keeping
Tanya’s introduction to chickens was serendipitous. A mentor and fellow therapist who was moving on to new pursuits asked if she would take care of her flock. Without hesitation, Tanya agreed—and from that moment, her life took an unexpected turn. Having already worked with horses and dogs in therapy settings, she was intrigued by the unique energy that chickens brought into her life. Unlike other animals, chickens had an unassuming, gentle presence that resonated deeply with Tanya and those around her.
“For me, there was something about birds. There’s always been something about birds for me in my life,” Tanya shared. “But I think chickens are different from every other bird.”
She quickly noticed something special about their quiet companionship. The soft clucks and chirps created a soothing atmosphere, and their simple, mindful way of being encouraged people to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.
The Unexpected Therapy Birds
Tanya saw firsthand how chickens could help people in ways she never imagined. Their non-judgmental, peaceful nature provided comfort to university students struggling with anxiety, grief, and loneliness. The idea that these birds could play a role in mental health support took root, and she integrated them into the “Paws” program—an initiative focused on reducing stress through interactions with therapy animals.
“When people engage with the chickens, there is just this peacefulness that comes over them,” Tanya explained. “They find the little coos and the little chirps very endearing. It brings a smile to their face.” Unlike traditional therapy animals like dogs, chickens bring a unique kind of connection. They welcome you into their world, treating you as part of the flock. They don’t demand attention but instead invite you to share a quiet moment. For students and visitors who spend time with Tanya’s chickens, the experience is often transformative. Their rhythmic coos and the simple joy of watching them scratch the ground create a meditative moment of presence and mindfulness.
Why Omlet?
As Tanya’s passion for chicken keeping grew, she sought out the best ways to provide a safe and enriching environment for her beloved birds. That’s when she discovered Omlet.
Omlet’s innovative, stylish, and practical designs made chicken keeping easier and more enjoyable. The Eglu Cube, with its durable, easy-to-clean structure, provided a secure and comfortable home for her flock. The Walk In Runs gave them ample space to roam safely, while accessories like the Omlet Peck Toys and Caddi Treat Holders ensured enrichment and stimulation for her birds.
“Omlet’s Eglu Cube has made keeping chickens so much easier. It’s secure, easy to clean, and I know my girls are safe,” Tanya said. “With Omlet, I have peace of mind knowing my chickens are protected and comfortable. Their products are designed with the keeper and the chickens in mind.”
For Tanya, Omlet’s products weren’t just about convenience—they aligned with her values of creating a nurturing, enriching space for her chickens. With Omlet, she found solutions that combined practicality, safety, and comfort, allowing her to focus on what she loves most: deepening the connection between people and chickens.
A Life Enriched by Chickens
Tanya often reflects on how much her chickens have given back to her. They’ve taught her patience, mindfulness, and the power of simple joys.
“I can come home, I’m having a bad day, and I sit and just watch my girls—it just releases everything else,” Tanya shared. “They become a reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
Through her work, Tanya continues to share the magic of chicken keeping with others. And with the help of Omlet’s thoughtfully designed products, she ensures that her birds live happy, healthy lives—just as they deserve.
Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just considering starting your own flock, Tanya’s story is a testament to how these incredible birds can change lives. And with the right tools and a little love, your chicken-keeping journey can be just as rewarding.
Preparing for your chicken keeping journey is an exciting time full of planning and purchasing. But when you aren’t sure where to start, it can be a little overwhelming. If you’re wondering which items are “must haves” vs. “nice to haves”, you’re in the right place. We’ll break down everything you need before you bring your chickens home, and which elements may not be essential, but are great for enrichment and entertainment.
Can I keep chickens where I live?
Before you commit to keeping chickens, you’ll need to be sure that your property isn’t subject to chicken keeping laws by your city or homeowners association (HOA). Many urban areas now allow backyard flocks of chickens, but there may be restrictions on the number of hens you can keep, rules prohibiting roosters, or requirements for coop placement. Some areas also require permits or licensing before keeping chickens. Once you’ve obtained permission and any required documentation, it’s time to make your chicken-keeping essentials list.
What to have before bringing chickens home
There are some things you have to have in order to keep your chickens safe and comfortable when you bring them home. And, when you invest in high quality chicken products, these items will last throughout your flock’s lifetime and beyond. Choosing the right setup from the start will save you countless hours and dollars in the long run.
The chicken coop
First and foremost, your flock will need a safe place to roost (sleep) at night, protection from the elements, and a quiet place to lay their eggs. This is where their chicken coop comes in. A good chicken coop should be:
Resistant to predators
Easy to clean
Insulated
Draft-free
Well ventilated
Parasite resistant
The best way to achieve all of these at once — without having to make modifications — is with Omlet’s line of Eglu Chicken Coops. Their strong plastic construction makes them impervious to rot, keeping their structural integrity intact against predators and the elements. And, the smooth panels are a breeze to clean thoroughly to prevent red mites from ambushing your flock. Twin-wall insulation keeps the interior of the coop at a comfortable temperature, while the draft-free ventilation allows fresh air to circulate. You’ll never need to worry about maintaining your Eglu plastic chicken coop like you would a wooden chicken coop — it’s engineered to last a lifetime.
Size is also important when considering your chickens’ coop. A coop that’s too small will make for uncomfortable quarters, while a coop that’s too large will have difficulty keeping your hens warm enough in the winter. Omlet takes the guesswork out of coop sizing, providing options depending on how many hens you have.
Unless you have property laws that restrict you to a certain flock size, it’s safe to assume that you’ll likely succumb to what chicken keepers call “chicken math”, which is the phenomenon of ending up with more chickens than you originally planned for. Chicken math can occur suddenly, or slowly over time — so buying the biggest coop from the start will help you head off chicken math and turn this potential problem into a welcome certainty.
A chicken run or fencing
Once you’ve selected your hens’ house, you’ll need to secure safe surroundings for them. Some chicken keepers have flock-appropriate fencing around their yard already, while others will need to provide dedicated outside spaces. This can be done with either chicken runs or chicken fencing.
Omlet’s Walk In Chicken Run is fully enclosed, providing protection from aerial chicken predators like hawks, and features anti-dig skirting designed to help keep foxes, coyotes, weasels, and other digging fiends out. The strong steel weld is much more resilient than ordinary chicken wire, without the threat of staples breaking free from wooden supports like traditional chicken runs.
Chicken fencing can be used to set appropriate boundaries for free-ranging flocks. Use chicken fencing to prevent your hens from wandering into the street, stray too far from home, or to keep them away from your prized plants. While it doesn’t offer full protection from predators, chicken fencing is a great way to keep your hens close while they’re out of their coop.
Weather protection
Along with predators, the elements are a real threat to chickens. Hot weather in particular is hard on hens, and you’ll want to make sure that they have adequate shade from the blazing sun. And, while most chickens tolerate the cold, they’ll need shelter from wet conditions and chilling winds.
Weather protection helps keep your flock dry, shaded, and warm when needed. Walk In Run Covers are waterproof, and come in solid material for shade during the summer, and clear to allow warming sunlight to permeate during the winter.
Chicken coop covers protect the attached run in the same way, and come in sizes customized to your size coop and run. Top covers protect from sun, rain, and snow, while lower covers block the wind.
Feeding and health essentials
With their housing in hand, you’re ready to move on to feeding and health essentials. These will be recurring purchases throughout the lives of your hens, and are largely determined by each individual keepers’ preferences.
Quality feed – This can be in pellet or crumble form, and should consist of between 16-20% protein for laying chicken breeds. Scratch grains and chicken-safe fresh foods can be offered as treats, but shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your flocks’ diet.
Fresh water – Should be readily available at all times. Refresh often, especially during warm weather.
Bedding – Choose an absorbent bedding like pine shavings or pellets for droppings tray, and soft bedding for nesting boxes like straw or fine shavings. If your chickens stay in a run, you’ll need to bed it with a chicken-safe substrate once they’ve eaten all the grass to prevent it from becoming muddy.
A dust bath – Free-ranging flocks will create their own dust bathing areas, but hens in runs will need a chicken dust bath prepared by their keepers. There are several recipes, but the base should be non-treated, loose soil.
A sample chicken-keeping schedule
As a chicken keeper, you can expect your day to follow a general rhythm. Chickens are fairly self-sufficient as long as their basic needs are met, and they thrive on routine. You’ll be able to create a schedule that works best for you and your flock, but it will likely look something like this:
Let your chickens out of their coop shortly after dawn
In hot weather, refresh your chickens’ water throughout the day to keep the temperature cool. In the wintertime, you may need to add hot water or break the ice throughout the day.
You can spend as little or as much time with your flock, but you can expect to spend at least 30 minutes each day performing routine tasks. In addition to their daily needs, you’ll also need to plan to:
Clean their coop once at least once a week by dumping the droppings tray and refreshing the bedding
Wash their waterer weekly to prevent bacteria growth (especially during the warmer months)
Deep-clean the coop once a month by removing all components and using a pressure washer or garden hose to spray it clean
Rake out and refresh the run substrate every couple of months or as needed
Change run covers from solid to clear in preparation for cold weather, and back to solid once the weather warms up
Elements to add when you can
Once you have all the essentials and a plan in place, you can consider adding some extra elements that will elevate your chicken keeping experience. These can be incorporated at the very beginning, or added as you progress in your chicken keeping journey.
Peck toys encourage natural foraging behavior, and helps keep the floor of the run free from excess scratch grains. A Caddi Chicken Treat Holder keeps fresh foods off of the ground, while giving your hens a chance to peck and stretch for their treats. And for a truly novel expereince, try a Chicken Swing for your hens. The gentle swaying motion makes this toy a flock member favorite.
An automatic chicken coop door
You can plan to get up early to let your chickens out shortly after dawn, or you can have the AutoDoor do it for you. This ingenious device isn’t just smart — it’s also safe. The horizontal opening mechanism makes it much more difficult for predators to pry open, and the customizable open and close times keep your flock securely in their coop during predator primetime. And, it can be added onto any chicken coop or run — wood, wire, or mesh.
Choose settings based on the clock or the sun to set your flock’s schedule, and never worry about getting up early to open the coop, or rushing home to close them in after dark. Upgrade to the Smart Autodoor for coop control at your fingertips. Change your Autodoor’s settings, receive real-time updates, and manually control the door from your mobile device from anywhere in the world.
Don’t forget…
In the midst of all the planning and preparing, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Keeping chickens is a wonderful way to experience a slower, more simple pace. In addition to providing your family with the superfood known as eggs, chickens make quirky and endearing companions that are a pleasure to watch and spend time with. So, make sure to prepare your heart for your chicken keeping journey, and to the probability of absolutely loving your backyard flock.
Omlet and your chickens
Our chicken keeping products are designed for every chicken and their keepers. From long lasting, supportive chicken coops and chicken runs to joy-inducing chicken toys and perches, you’ll find everything you need and more at Omlet. Prepare for a lifetime of happiness with your hens, and leave the rest to theit trusted setup.
For Rynell and her family, what started as a simple homeschooling project during the pandemic became something far greater. Their flock brought joy, healing, and a newfound connection to nature, food, and community. From helping her recently adopted son adjust to his new home to inspiring a full homesteading lifestyle, chickens transformed the way her family lives. More than just fresh eggs, they became a source of peace, purpose, and belonging. This is the story of how a simple flock of chickens reshaped everything.
Would you like to be in a film about keeping chickens?
In January 2024, Omlet’s creative team put out a casting call to customers. The project was an ambitious film for a campaign that would go deep into the heart of what keeping chickens means. Authenticity was really important to us, and when Rynell, a mother of three and passionate chicken keeper from San Diego, answered we instantly knew she had to be in it.
“We decided to get chickens as part of homeschooling,” she explains but almost immediately, the chickens took on a greater role. “It was life transforming. They bring so much joy, not only to my life, but to my kids’ lives too. It’s been life-changing for our family.”
What began as a simple project to teach her children about responsibility quickly became something much greater. The chickens reshaped the rhythm of Rynell’s family life. Inspired by her journey, we wanted to learn more.
A Journey into Chicken Keeping: More Than Just a Homeschooling Project
In the early days of the pandemic Rynell and her family sought to create a hands-on, farm-like learning experience for their children. But she quickly realised that the chickens were going to be much more than just a source of eggs, especially for their son, Elijah, who had recently joined their family through foster care. Rynell explains:
“The chickens arrived around the time that Elijah came into our home. He has a background of some trauma and teaching him how to care for and be gentle with animals, and just enjoy their companionship was really important – it actually worked tremendously as a therapy for him, as a foster child coming into a new home. He was supposed to be receiving all this extra therapy, but because of Covid a lot of it wasn’t happening, so we turned to the chickens instead, which was wonderful.”
The simple, daily rituals of feeding, observing, and nurturing the flock became a way for Elijah to find stability—a quiet, unspoken language between a child and his chickens.
From Chickens to Homesteading: A New Way of Living
What started as a handful of chickens soon evolved into a passion for self-sufficiency. “One thing led to another,” Rynell says. “From getting the chickens, I then started cooking with all the fresh eggs, then I began the kitchen garden, then I started writing a blog about it all. The homesteading life really is contagious and I love being able to provide for my family through it!”
Now, her family’s meals are a reflection of this lifestyle—homegrown, homemade, and deeply connected to the land. “The eggs have completely changed my cooking. We grow our own potatoes too and with some bacon, the fresh eggs, you just can’t go wrong, the eggs are just the best. My kids love hard-boiled eggs; it’s one of their favorite snacks. Then, I have this tree right here with our own apples growing. One of my favorite recipes is for apple pancakes. That’s one of our family favorites from the garden.”
Chickens have brought the family closer to their neighbors too, deepening their sense of community. “People find out we have chickens, and then their kids want to come over and see them—even the adults,” Rynell laughs. “Some of our friends have now got chickens, too. It’s so fun connecting with the community through all of it.”
And in this small, yet powerful way, chickens remind us of something essential: they gather together. They create circles. They turn neighbors into friends.
Chicken Therapy: The Unexpected Power of a Flock
Beyond fresh eggs, beyond composted manure and recycling kitchen left overs, chickens provide something even greater—peace.
“Chicken therapy. That’s my term for it,” Rynell says. “At the end of a hard day, just sitting outside, listening to their noises, watching their interactions—it’s an anxiety reducer.”
There is something grounding about their presence. The way they peck at the earth without hurry. The way they follow the setting sun to roost, reminding us that rest is necessary. The way each chicken, carries a distinct personality.
One of Rynell’s favorites, Peanut, was the smallest chick but is now the leader of the flock. Another, a Cream Legbar, prefers to perch on her shoulder while she gardens—“She’s like a parrot,” she jokes. And then there’s the one who insists on sneaking into the house to lay her eggs indoors, leaving the family to stumble across them like little treasures.
It is in these small, ordinary moments that we realize: chickens do more than provide. They transform.
Rynell’s recommendation: The perfect family flock set up
Like many chicken keepers, what started out as a flock of 6 has expanded into a total of 14 chickens, a phenomenon known as Chicken Math. As Rynell explains, “You know, there’s no point counting them, because I’m always going to get another. We have some beautiful Marans and Olive Eggers and some Ameraucanas and Cream Legbars.”
The family has two coops, an Eglu Pro and a wooden coop. For Rynell the Eglu Pro, which is fitted with an automatic door, has been a revelation allowing her to keep chickens without it adding to her already incredibly busy life. She says “ In general, it’s a much more user-friendly coop than our old big wooden one. And I find that every year we get trouble with mites in the wood – in the Omlet, we haven’t seen any at all. Now I’ve got to live with an Omlet coop, I don’t see it as expensive for what it is. All that scrubbing you no longer have to do. Getting rid of the mite problem. Being able to move it easily. I now look at it and think it’s pretty reasonable!
And the children help out too, naturally going out and collecting the eggs is the chore that the kids fight over, because it’s the most fun but everyone helps out cleaning too.
A Message to Those Considering Chickens: Take the Jump
For families thinking about keeping chickens, Rynell has one message:
“Take the jump. It’s worth every second. It has brought so much joy to our lives, affected our happiness, and even improved our health. It’s been life-changing.”
Because chickens are more than eggs. They build connections, ground us and are a reminder of what’s important. They fix us, in ways we never expected.
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to spruce up your setup for spring, there are essentials for chicken keeping in Pennsylvania that you should never be without. From flock safety and entertainment to ease of cleaning and maintaining, these chicken keeping must-haves make caring for your hens easy and enjoyable. Here’s everything you need to maintain a healthy, happy flock.
Your chicken-keeping checklist
Keeping chickens is rewarding, fun, and enjoyable. And, with many cities in Pennsylvania allowing a small backyard flock, chickens are becoming more and more popular in urban areas. These pets pack lots of personality, and lay one of the tastiest superfoods for their humans to enjoy.
Chickens are relatively easy to care for, making them a popular pet choice for keepers of all ages. But to keep them healthy and happy, there are some essentials you must have for your hens. Here’s a checklist of everything you need to keep chickens:
A chicken coop
A chicken run or chicken fencing
Feeder and waterer
Quality laying feed
Area for dust bathing
Bedding for the coop
There are many options when it comes to these items, but there are standout products that turn chicken chores into fun with your flock.
Choosing a chicken coop
If you’re looking for your first chicken coop, or are wanting to upgrade your wooden coop, you’ll want to choose a lasting solution. Eglu Chicken Coops are made of heavy-duty plastic, and never require annual maintenance. And, they can be thoroughly cleaned in just minutes — a feat that wooden chicken coops can’t come close to.
In addition to making chicken-keeping chores a breeze, Eglu coops also keep your flock safe and comfortable. The twin-wall insulation, ventilation methods, and secure construction keep your hens healthy, happy, and protected from chicken predators. And, with their smooth plastic construction, you won’t have to worry about red mites.
Your chicken coop should also have designated areas for laying eggs and sleeping. Nesting boxes should be quiet, and separate from their roosting area, where they will sleep overnight. Provide soft bedding like straw, hay, hemp, or pine shavings in the nesting boxes for your hens to fluff into a suitable spot to lay their eggs.
Free-ranging safely
Your chickens need a safe space to forage and explore during the day. This space can be in a chicken run or in a designated area by using chicken fencing. It’s important to have some boundaries for your flock, even if you choose to let them free range. This will prevent them from sampling plants that may be toxic to chickens, or your prized garden plants. It will also keep them closer to home and help prevent surprise attacks from pesky predators like bears and bobcats.
Walk in Chicken Runs are fully enclosed, and provide the most protection to your hens. They also give you enough space to walk with your flock, and can be expanded as often as you need. This option is best to protect your chickens against aerial predators like hawks and owls, and to keep bigger predators from digging or pushing into their run.
You can also add an Autodoor to your flock’s coop or run to control how much free-time your hens have. Keep them safe inside their setup during peak predator hours — dawn and dusk. And, with the Smart Control panel, you can control your coop right from your couch or from anywhere in the world.
Feeding your flock
Your chickens rely on you for the bulk of their nutrition. While they get some nutrients from vegetation and insects during foraging, hens need free-choice access to quality laying feed and fresh water. Their feed should contain 16-18% protein, with additional protein of up to 20% offered to support new feather growth during their annual molt. Place your chicken feeders and waterers in an area that’s out of direct sunlight and where it won’t get wet in the rain.
In addition to layer feed, you can offer your flock fresh fruits and vegetables in a chicken treat holder, and scratch grains in chicken peck toys. Treats should only supplement your flock’s regular diet, but you’ll quickly win the hearts of your hens when you offer these delicacies up. Choose protein-packed treats like dried insects, or leafy greens and fresh herbs for the biggest nutritional boost.
Have oyster shells or another calcium supplement available for your hens to access as needed. A lack of calcium in your hens’ diet can cause egg abnormalities like soft or missing shells. If your flock doesn’t have access to fresh earth, you may also need to supplement their diet with grit, which resembles ground up rocks. Chickens don’t have teeth, and grit stays in their gizzard — part of their digestive tract — to help grind up their food for digestion. Chickens normally get adequate substances to replicate this from scratching around in the earth, but flocks in smaller runs or those with substrates in their run need this element to maintain digestive health.
The bathing area
Chickens don’t need water to bathe — in fact, they need dirt to keep themselves clean. Flocks will find loose earth as part of their free-ranging festivities to flop down in and toss dirt all over their feathers. They’ll then pop up, shake off, and preen their feathers. This unconventional style of bathing removes parasites, loose feathers, and other impurities from their skin and plumage.
If your hens don’t free range, you’ll need to provide them with a chicken dust bath. Choose a container large enough to accommodate two hens at once, as this is usually a social event as well a practical one. The container should be deep enough to give your chickens enough space to nestle down in and the sides high enough to contain what they toss into the air.
The base for your chickens’ dust bath can be top soil, untreated contractor sand, or soil from your garden. Other add-ins that create a hen-healthy dust bath include:
Wood ash from burn piles or fireplaces
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Herbs
Extra items for enrichment
Along with the essentials, there are things that add enrichment and fun to your flock and your chicken-keeping experience. Chicken toys and perches help keep your hens active, and provide you with endless entertainment as you watch them keep their minds and bodies fit.
Weather protection for your chickens’ run will help keep the elements off of them. Chicken run covers offer shade from the sun, and protection from rain and snow. These will also keep their run from becoming a muddy mess in wet seasons.
Consider adding chicken coop wheels and handles to make your coop mobile. A mobile chicken coop can be moved easily to new grass, or in the event of storms or other dangerous conditions. Making your coop mobile also lets you position your hens’ home in the shade or sun for optimal seasonal support.
Wondering if you can keep a garden and chickens? With these gardening tips for spring, you’ll be able to integrate your flock with your plants in a symbiotic way. With some preparation and protective measures in place, your hens can actually be a great help in the garden. Here’s how to keep your chickens and your plants healthy and happy this spring.
What do chickens do for my garden?
Chickens are excellent help in the garden as long as their roles — and boundaries — are clearly defined. With the help of chicken fencing to keep your hens away from prized or hazardous plants, your flock will happily forage to remove unwanted insects and weeds like clover or dandelions from your garden. They’re also excellent help with the compost, doing the daily turning for you and eradicating any insects that may be drawn to it.
In addition to pest control and help with the compost pile, you can supplement your chickens’ diet with fresh foods from your garden. By filling your flower beds with nutritious treats for your flock, you’ll boost their immune systems and overall health.
Planting for chickens
Chickens can eat a wide variety of vegetation — but as with humans and other animals, just because it’s good for other species doesn’t mean it’s safe for chickens. Familiarize yourself with chicken-safe plants, as well as plants that are toxic to them to create a flock-friendly garden that’s both beautiful and nutritious.
Chicken-safe plants
Most herbs are safe for chickens to eat, and often are the most beneficial in terms of immune-boosting and availability. For healthier hens, try growing:
Basil
Oregano – immune support
Parsley – vitamin-rich
Cilantro – a flock-favorite for taste
Mint – cooling and calming effects
Lavender – natural stress reliever
Sage – antioxidant
Rosemary – promotes respiratory health
These herbs can be served dried mixed into your flock’s feed, or fresh from the garden as a treat.
Other plants that are safe for chickens to eat include:
Sunflowers (and their seeds)
Nasturtium
Dandelions
Beebalms
Clover
Coneflowers
Marigolds
Daisies
Roses
If you’re a vegetable gardener, here are some chicken-safe varieties:
Carrots (especially the tops)
Beet greens
Broccoli
Lettuces
Kale
Swiss chard
Squashes
Cucumbers
Bell peppers
Cabbage
And finally, some fruits are safe to feed to your flock, but they should be fed in moderation due to their fiber and sugar content:
Berries
Watermelons
Canteloupes
Grapes
Apples (seeds removed)
Stone fruits with pits removed
Plants toxic to chickens
While chickens can eat a diverse diet, there are some plants that are toxic to chickens. When keeping chickens near or in your garden, avoid planting:
Rhubarb
Tomatoes (underripe tomatoes are toxic to chickens)
Potatoes (raw potatoes are toxic — sweet potatoes are safe)
Foxglove
Hemlock
Rhododendrons
Elderberry leaves
Lilly of the valley
Tulips
Daffodils
Morning glory
Azaleas
Ferns
Tansy
Amaryllis
Trumpet vine
Other common foods and kitchen staples that you may toss out with your compost could pose a threat to your hens. Avoid letting your chickens ingest:
Coffee grounds or tea
Onions
Avocados
Apple seeds
Citrus fruits
Raw or dried beans
Chocolate
Sugary or salty foods
Spoiled or moldy food
This is not an exhaustive list of plants and substances that are toxic to chickens, so always conduct thorough research or contact your veterinarian if you’re unsure about what to feed your flock.
What to plant in preparation for spring
Planting in preparation for the next season relies heavily on your Plant Hardiness Zone. Seed packets or plant inserts will usually give you an idea of when to plant them according to each zone and time of the year. As a general rule, avoid planting anything in the ground before the last anticipated freeze of the year.
You can easily start an herb garden in a windowsill or other sunny spot in your home. Use cuttings from a mature plant, or start from seeds to grow chicken-safe herbs in time for spring. You can also start seedlings for vegetables and some flower plants indoors before transferring them outside once the weather warms up.
Omlet and your flock
Whether your chickens have run of your garden, or are chicken run– adjacent, we have everything you need to foster a symbiotic relationship between your flock and your fauna this spring. From chicken-keeping essentials like chicken coops to modern accessories like an automatic chicken coop door, you can have your garden, and your chickens too. Discover spring gardening the Omlet way, and never compromise on either hobby.
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to spruce up your setup for spring, there are essentials for every chicken keeper that you should never be without. From flock safety and entertainment to ease of cleaning and maintaining, these chicken keeping must-haves make caring for your hens easy and enjoyable. Here’s everything you need to maintain a healthy, happy flock.
Your chicken-keeping checklist
Keeping chickens is rewarding, fun, and enjoyable. And, with many cities allowing a small backyard flock, chickens are becoming more and more popular in urban areas. These pets pack lots of personality, and lay one of the tastiest superfoods for their humans to enjoy.
Chickens are relatively easy to care for, making them a popular pet choice for keepers of all ages. But to keep them healthy and happy, there are some essentials you must have for your hens. Here’s a checklist of everything you need to keep chickens:
A chicken coop
A chicken run or chicken fencing
Feeder and waterer
Quality laying feed
Area for dust bathing
Bedding for the coop
There are many options when it comes to these items, but there are standout products that turn chicken chores into fun with your flock.
Choosing a chicken coop
If you’re looking for your first chicken coop, or are wanting to upgrade your wooden coop, you’ll want to choose a lasting solution. Eglu Chicken Coops are made of heavy-duty plastic, and never require annual maintenance. And, they can be thoroughly cleaned in just minutes — a feat that wooden chicken coops can’t come close to.
In addition to making chicken-keeping chores a breeze, Eglu coops also keep your flock safe and comfortable. The twin-wall insulation, ventilation methods, and secure construction keep your hens healthy, happy, and protected from chicken predators. And, with their smooth plastic construction, you won’t have to worry about red mites.
Your chicken coop should also have designated areas for laying eggs and sleeping. Nesting boxes should be quiet, and separate from their roosting area, where they will sleep overnight. Provide soft bedding like straw, hay, hemp, or pine shavings in the nesting boxes for your hens to fluff into a suitable spot to lay their eggs.
Free-ranging safely
Your chickens need a safe space to forage and explore during the day. This space can be in a chicken run or in a designated area by using chicken fencing. It’s important to have some boundaries for your flock, even if you choose to let them free range. This will prevent them from sampling plants that may be toxic to chickens, or your prized garden plants. It will also keep them closer to home and help prevent surprise attacks from predators.
Walk in Chicken Runs are fully enclosed, and provide the most protection to your hens. They also give you enough space to walk with your flock, and can be expanded as often as you need. This option is best to protect your chickens against aerial predators like hawks and owls, and to keep bigger predators from digging or pushing into their run.
You can also add an Autodoor to your flock’s coop or run to control how much free-time your hens have. Keep them safe inside their setup during peak predator hours — dawn and dusk. And, with the Smart Control panel, you can control your coop right from your couch or from anywhere in the world.
Feeding your flock
Your chickens rely on you for the bulk of their nutrition. While they get some nutrients from vegetation and insects during foraging, hens need free-choice access to quality laying feed and fresh water. Their feed should contain 16-18% protein, with additional protein of up to 20% offered to support new feather growth during their annual molt. Place your chicken feeders and waterers in an area that’s out of direct sunlight and where it won’t get wet in the rain.
In addition to layer feed, you can offer your flock fresh fruits and vegetables in a chicken treat holder, and scratch grains in chicken peck toys. Treats should only supplement your flock’s regular diet, but you’ll quickly win the hearts of your hens when you offer these delicacies up. Choose protein-packed treats like dried insects, or leafy greens and fresh herbs for the biggest nutritional boost.
Have oyster shells or another calcium supplement available for your hens to access as needed. A lack of calcium in your hens’ diet can cause egg abnormalities like soft or missing shells. If your flock doesn’t have access to fresh earth, you may also need to supplement their diet with grit, which resembles ground up rocks. Chickens don’t have teeth, and grit stays in their gizzard — part of their digestive tract — to help grind up their food for digestion. Chickens normally get adequate substances to replicate this from scratching around in the earth, but flocks in smaller runs or those with substrates in their run need this element to maintain digestive health.
The bathing area
Chickens don’t need water to bathe — in fact, they need dirt to keep themselves clean. Flocks will find loose earth as part of their free-ranging festivities to flop down in and toss dirt all over their feathers. They’ll then pop up, shake off, and preen their feathers. This unconventional style of bathing removes parasites, loose feathers, and other impurities from their skin and plumage.
If your hens don’t free range, you’ll need to provide them with a chicken dust bath. Choose a container large enough to accommodate two hens at once, as this is usually a social event as well a practical one. The container should be deep enough to give your chickens enough space to nestle down in and the sides high enough to contain what they toss into the air.
The base for your chickens’ dust bath can be top soil, untreated contractor sand, or soil from your garden. Other add-ins that create a hen-healthy dust bath include:
Wood ash from burn piles or fireplaces
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Herbs
Extra items for enrichment
Along with the essentials, there are things that add enrichment and fun to your flock and your chicken-keeping experience. Chicken toys and perches help keep your hens active, and provide you with endless entertainment as you watch them keep their minds and bodies fit.
Weather protection for your chickens’ run will help keep the elements off of them. Chicken run covers offer shade from the sun, and protection from rain and snow. These will also keep their run from becoming a muddy mess in wet seasons.
Consider adding chicken coop wheels and handles to make your coop mobile. A mobile chicken coop can be moved easily to new grass, or in the event of storms or other dangerous conditions. Making your coop mobile also lets you position your hens’ home in the shade or sun for optimal seasonal support.
You’ve read about Eglus. You’ve seen the pictures and watched the videos. Now come and give one a whirl.
We’ll be exhibiting our best selling Eglu Pro chicken coops in Pennsylvania this March. Come and see us to experience the ooooh of Eglu.
1st – 9th March – Booth 1221, Philadelphia Flower Show, buy tickets here
7th – 16th March – Booth 227, Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, buy tickets here
At the Omlet stand, we’ll have our newest and biggest coop the Eglu Pro for you to see and feel in real life. We’ll be able to help plan your Omlet set up and provide an exclusive event only offer if you order with us at the Festival, plus limited edition Omlet merchandise you can’t get anywhere else. Ooooh indeed.
How much space do chickens need? This is a common question among potential and seasoned flock-raisers alike. The number of chickens you keep, their breed, and even their personalities determine how much space they require. Learn how to keep a backyard flock in spaces large and small, and how to make the most of the space you have.
Do I have space for chickens?
Like most animals, chickens appreciate as much space as possible. Chickens are curious foragers by nature, and their space should support this behavior. But you can keep a small flock of hens healthy and happy in less space than you may think. Here are the general guidelines for chicken space requirements:
Coop space: 2 square feet per chicken
Roost space: 12 linear inches per chicken
Run space: at least 4 square feet per chicken
This loose guideline will help you set expectations for how many chickens you can keep in your backyard or other designated area. The measurements above are for average sized chickens, so depending on the breeds of chickens you keep, you may need to adjust accordingly. Larger breeds will require more space, while bantam breeds can get by with less. Be sure to check with your city or state for chicken keeping laws that may outline additional space requirements or flock size restrictions.
Setting up for your flock
With an idea of how many hens you can keep, you’re ready to consider setting up their home. And just like your own home, arranging your chickens’ setup in a strategic way will help make the most of the available space. From housing to outdoor enrichment, here are the essentials to consider for your flock.
The chicken coop
No matter how many chickens you intend to keep, every flock needs a chicken coop. While there are countless styles and sizes of chicken coops, it’s important to keep in mind that your flock’s coop serves specific purposes. Your hens’ house should:
Be a safe place to roost at night
Offer shelter from the weather
Provide a quiet place to lay their eggs
Chicken coops can also be too large. The problem with oversized chicken coops is two-fold. The first issue is insulation. In colder weather, hens will huddle together and use each other’s body heat to keep warm — but this heat is easily lost in a too-large coop. The second issue is that chicken coops designed for people to be able to enter utilize aerial space for roosting bars. This design makes it difficult for older or heavier hens and chickens with special feathers like Silkies to reach.
Aim for a cozy, comfortable chicken coop rather than a cavernous creation. This way, you’ll be able to dedicate more space where it’s really needed — in their run.
The chicken run
Chickens love to explore and forage, which is why you should aim to dedicate most of their space to the area outside of their coop. Their chicken run should be secure and attached to the coop for easy access. A sturdy chicken run will protect your hens from predators, keep them in their designated area, and provide plenty of enriching activities for your flock.
Adding chicken toys and perches to the run will utilize available space, and get your hens’ minds and bodies working. These elements are essential for keeping your flock entertained and fit — both of which are necessary for healthy, happy hens. Toss in additional enriching elements like leaves, hay, or grass clippings for extra foraging opportunities, and make sure your flock has a space dedicated to a chicken dust bath to keep their feathers in good condition.
If you have a larger space, consider chicken fencing to give your flock even more room to roam. While chicken fencing shouldn’t replace a secure run, it does open up more possibilities for your hens. And, it can be repositioned as often as needed to give your chickens new earth to scratch and insects to chase.
Bringing it all together
At Omlet, we’ve made it easy to determine what size chicken coop and run your flock needs. Our coops come in 3 different sizes:
The Eglu Pro: up to 10 large chickens or 15 bantams
The Eglu Cube: up to 6 large chickens or 10 bantams
With twin-wall insulation, ample ventilation, and comfortable roosting racks instead of bars, your flock will feel fully supported in hen houses that are just the right size.
Our coops have attached runs ranging from 3-12 ft, and can be attached to our Walk In Chicken Run. The Walk In Runs are fully enclosed and feature anti-dig skirting to thwart predators, and can be added onto at any time to increase space as needed. And with added weather protection covers, your flock will be ready for anything the elements have to offer.
These configurations make it possible for backyards of any shape and size to comfortably house a flock of chickens. Whether you’re keeping 3 hens or 13 — our setups support chickens and their keepers.
Omlet and your flock
We’ve studied chickens for over 20 years to invent chicken coops and chicken runs that revolutionize chicken keeping. And with ingenious additions like the Smart Autodoor, keeping a flock of chickens has never been easier. So take the plunge into poultry with Omlet, and discover why thousands of chicken keepers trust our products to keep their flocks safe and supported.
There are several reasons why a plastic chicken coop is better than a wooden one. From performance to practicality, plastic excels above wood in every aspect. Discover why chicken keepers are ditching their traditional wooden coops in favor of low-maintenance plastic chicken coops.
Why is plastic better than wood?
Chicken coops are traditionally made from wood. Why is this? It’s because wood is readily available, and is relatively inexpensive as a material. DIYers and homesteading families can make a chicken coop from wood in anywhere from a few hours to a few days. But that’s about where the pros list ends. Reasons to avoid a wooden chicken coop are numerous, with the main drawbacks to wood being:
Rot and mold or mildew
Difficult to clean
Costly and routine maintenance
Vulnerability to predators
Not waterproof
Short lifespan
Ideal environment for mites
Difficult to move
Flimsy
Plastic on the other hand, poses opposite benefits where wood finds itself falling short. Plastic chicken coops:
Won’t rot or warp
Are easy to clean
Don’t require regular maintenance
Provide superior protection against predators
Are waterproof
Have a lifespan of 20+ years
Won’t harbor mites
Can be moved easily
Hold up in the elements
But among these, there are a few standout reasons that reveal a clear winner when comparing plastic vs wooden chicken coops.
Insulation
When you keep chickens, protecting them against the elements will be unavoidable — and insulation plays a vital role in keeping your chickens healthy and comfortable in all conditions. Insulation helps keep the inside of the coop at a comfortable temperature by trapping a pocket of air between the coop walls. In the wintertime, this means your hens’ body heat will be kept inside, while the cold outdoor air is kept out. And in the summer months, insulation protects against the outdoor heat, preventing the coop from becoming a hot box.
Wooden chicken coops can’t be insulated properly, unless they’re built in a fashion similar to modern homes. But wooden coops readily available for purchase will not be insulated, and carry a high likelihood of developing dangerous drafts. Omlet’s chicken coops are insulated and draft-free, while providing ample ventilation to promote healthy respiratory function within your flock.
Predator protection
Aside from the elements, another challenge flock raisers face are chicken predators. Even backyard flocks aren’t immune to threats. Wooden chicken coops warp and weaken in the elements, making them susceptible to predator invasions. And, the latches on wooden chicken coop doors are easy for predators like raccoons to riddle out.
Omlet’s plastic chicken coops are strong enough to withstand predators as large as bears and as lithe as weasels. Our raccoon-proof chicken coop door handles and tight run wire spacing keeps predatory paws at bay, while the added security of an automatic chicken coop door makes it nearly impossible for opponents to open. And, the anti-tunnel skirting of the attached run will foil foxes and deter dogs from digging into your hens’ home.
Cost of maintaining
If the idea of re-roofing, sealing, and painting a chicken coop every year sounds appealing to you, then a wooden coop will gladly demand your time and resources. But if you’re like the majority of other chicken keepers, you’ll find the prospect of this necessary wooden coop upkeep a dreaded task. While acquiring a wooden coop requires less initial investment than a plastic coop, the ongoing expenses of maintaining it each year make it a costly endeavor.
Plastic chicken coops don’t require regular maintenance, and will never need re-roofing, painting, or sealing. They’re waterproof, weatherproof, and maintain their appearance and performance throughout the years.
Ease of cleaning
Cleaning a wooden chicken coop is a chore, and an unpleasant one at that. But thanks to plastic, chicken coops can be cleaned in a fraction of the time and elbow grease. No more scraping roosting bars and coop floors or dusting surfaces with coop refreshers or mite repellents — with a plastic coop, you can keep your hens’ home hygienic and healthy with minimal effort.
Cleaning an Omlet chicken coop is fun, efficient, and yields a sparkling clean coop for your flock in just minutes. Simply slide out the droppings tray, dump the soiled bedding, and use a pressure washer or garden hose to spray any debris away on the inside of the coop. Dry with a clean towel, refill the tray with bedding, and reassemble the coop. And just like that, your chicken coop is clean.
Omlet and your flock
We aren’t just biased in our belief in the super powers of plastic — thousands of real-life testimonialsall agree that Eglu Chicken Coops are the future of chicken keeping. And with smart accessories like the Autodoor and Coop Light, you can future-proof your flock and revolutionize your routine. So, if you’re ready to break up with your wooden coop and embark on the path of plastic — we’re here for it.
The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with some festive baking? And, with a backyard flock of chickens, fresh eggs can take your holiday recipes to the next level, adding richness, flavor, and a golden-hue that store-bought eggs can’t compete with. Add in some homegrown herbs and vegetables, and your holiday table will showcase the best of your backyard. Here is some holiday baking inspiration with your chickens’ eggs, sure to delight your guests and nourish your family.
Why are fresh eggs better for holiday baking?
Eggs from your chicken coop are healthier and much fresher than store-bought eggs. This is because you dictate your flock’s diet, ensuring that quality feed is converted into nutritious eggs, and due to the fact that by the time commercially available eggs hit the market shelves, they’re already several weeks old. When you crack open to compare a store-bought egg to a fresh egg, you’ll notice the differences right away. Fresh eggs have a deeper, richer yellow to their yolks, thicker whites, and healthier shells. Higher in omega-3s and other nutrients, fresh eggs are the perfect foundation for a season of holiday baking.
Savory dishes
Not all holiday baking is sugary sweets for Santa. Some of the best ways to showcase your hens’ nutritious eggs are through brunch or breakfast recipes. Savory egg recipes complement the nature of this superfood, creating visually stunning and nutritionally unparalleled dishes.
Perfectly fluffy quiche
Quiche is a holiday brunch favorite, combining the flakiness of crust with the creaminess of an egg filling. Fresh eggs really shine in this dish, making each slice a celebration of flavor.
Ingredients:
6 fresh eggs
1 ½ cups heavy cream or whole milk
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Gruyère, or Swiss work well)
1 cup cooked vegetables (spinach, mushrooms, or onions)
1 prepared pie crust (uncooked)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: fresh garden herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Place the pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edges.
Whisk the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Layer the vegetables and cheese in the crust, then pour the egg mixture over the top.
Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for extra flavor.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the center is set and the top is golden.
Serve warm, and enjoy the creamy richness your flocks’ eggs bring to the table.
Festive vegetable frittata
A frittata is essentially a crustless quiche, perfect for showcasing fresh eggs and seasonal vegetables. It’s versatile and easy-to-make — great for holiday breakfasts or light lunches. And because it’s crustless, your hens’ eggs are the metaphorical bread and butter of this dish.
Ingredients:
8 fresh eggs
¼ cup milk
1 ½ cups diced vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, or tomatoes)
½ cup cheese (feta or goat cheese add even more flavor)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like basil or dill
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Saute the vegetables until tender.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the vegetables.
Cook on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes, then sprinkle the cheese on top.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the frittata is slightly golden.
Slice into wedges and garnish with fresh herbs for a colorful, festive finish.
Sweets: a holiday staple
No Christmas is complete without cookies. And while culture and geographical locations influence what is common or standard for cookies this time of year, some of the most popular and recognizable cookies are traditional sugar and gingerbread. And, as you may have guessed, your chickens play a vital role in providing the ingredients for the festive classics.
Simple sugar cookies with royal icing
Sugar cookies are a must during the holidays, especially when decorated with vibrant royal icing. Fresh eggs ensure your cookies are soft and tender, while the egg whites provide the base for the icing.
Ingredients for the cookies:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 fresh egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for the royal icing:
2 fresh egg whites
3 cups powdered sugar
Food coloring
Sprinkles for decorating
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, forming a soft dough. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely.
For the icing, beat the egg whites until frothy, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until thick and glossy. Divide and color as desired.
Decorate your cookies with your family and enjoy as a festive, flavorful treat that pairs perfectly with your favorite holiday movie.
Spiced gingerbread cookies
Nothing says the holidays like gingerbread cookies. Fresh eggs help these cookies achieve the perfect chewy texture, while the blend of spices fills your home with distinctive, warm and festive aroma.
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ brown sugar
½ cup molasses
1 fresh egg
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices.
In another bowl, cream the butter and the brown sugar. Mix in the molasses and egg until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool completely before decorating.
These cookies are perfect for gifting, or for constructing a gingerbread house with the family.
Omlet and your chickens
Using fresh eggs from your flock isn’t just practical — it’s a celebration of a lifestyle. Vibrant yolks and unbeatable flavor elevate every recipe, from sweet to savory. So, get ready to gather eggs from your chicken coop, don your apron, and whip up some amazing festive treats, courtesy of your hens. Don’t forget to offer them some kitchen scraps in their chicken treat holder or decorate their walk in chicken run to let them share in the festivities of the season.
Whether you’re considering chickens as pets, or are a seasoned chicken-keeper, everything you need for successful chicken keeping comes down to a list of essential elements. With these chicken keeping staples on hand, you’ll ensure your flock stays healthy and happy all year round. Find out which items should be on your must-have list, along with some “nice-to-have” elements that will elevate your chicken keeping experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
The ultimate chicken-keeping checklist
It’s helpful to have a chicken-keeping checklist on hand during all phases of your flock-raising career. When you’re just getting started, these are must-have items that will ensure the health and safety of your hens. As a seasoned chicken keeper, this list will help you keep stock of any items that need maintaining, or serve as inspiration for adjustments or additions to your current setup. Here’s a list of must-haves for successful chicken keeping:
A strong, secure chicken coop for your chickens to roost and lay their eggs in. Insulated chicken coops are the best, as they will keep your flock warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Chicken run or chicken fencing to keep your chickens out of harm’s way. A walk in chicken run gives you room to interact with your flock, while chicken fencing allows for more of a free-range feeling.
Feeders and waterers to provide food and water at all times. Chickens don’t overeat, so keeping their feed out and topped off will ensure they’re getting enough nutrients. Run-mounted chicken feeders and waterers allow for easy access.
Weather protection to shelter your flock from adverse weather. Chicken run covers should be waterproof and UV resistant to offer year round protection.
Bedding to absorb droppings, and to line chicken nesting boxes. Absorbent bedding will minimize the smell of droppings, and will give your hens a comfortable place to nestle in and lay their eggs.
Quality laying feed provides your flock with the essential nutrients needed to stay healthy and to produce eggs. Layer feed can be purchased in pellets or crumbles, depending on your flock’s needs — aim to feed between 16-18% protein, increasing to as much as 20-22% during molting season.
Designated dust bathing area for your hens to dust off and socialize in. This could be a deep basin or an area of loose earth where your flock can scratch around, lay down, and fling dirt on themselves to remove insects and debris from their plumage. Dust baths are essential for the overall health and wellbeing of chickens.
These elements are all important to keeping your flock protected and healthy. When you choose chicken products that are easy to clean and withstand the testing of the elements, it will make your chicken-keeping experience much more enjoyable. But to really strengthen the bond between you and your flock, there are some non-essential items to add to your chicken-keeping checklist that will elevate your chicken-keeping experience.
The “non-essentials”
While these items might not be essential to successful chicken keeping, they certainly make it more enjoyable for you and your flock. From whimsical to practical, here are some additional elements to help you get the most from your chicken keeping journey:
Chicken perches offer your hens a place to kick their feet up while they’re out and about. Freestanding chicken perches can be moved around your flock’s designated area, and customizable chicken perches can be adjusted and added onto to make use of aerial space in your chickens’ run.
An automatic chicken coop door provides additional security for your hens and peace of mind for you. A smart automatic chicken coop door allows you to control your coop and your flock’s schedule through a mobile app from anywhere in the world.
Chicken toys stimulate your hens’ minds and bodies. Peck toys get your flock engaged in foraging and problem solving, and chicken swings appeal to your your hens’ balance and strength.
Chicken coop wheels and handles convert a stationary coop to a mobile chicken tractor. Wheels and handles allow you to move your chickens’ coop quickly and easily, which is particularly beneficial for chicken keepers living in areas that experience frequent severe weather events.
When combined with the essentials, these companion pieces provide countless hours of fun and peace of mind while providing practical value.
Other chicken-keeping considerations
Now that you have a list of essentials and add-ons, it’s time to compile a list dedicated to other chicken-keeping considerations. They might not be tangible items to purchase, but they are nonetheless helpful for successfully keeping chickens. Think about these when keeping or considering keeping a flock of chickens:
A veterinarian who treats chickens for when unexpected illness or injuries occur. Be sure to call and verify that the veterinarian you choose treats poultry, and have their information saved in your phone or posted close to your flock for quick reference.
Line up someone to watch your chickens when you go out of town. Chickens are fairly self-sufficient, but if you’re going to be away for more than a couple of days, it’s best to have a chicken sitter lined up. Keep an updated list of your chickens’ names and their routine to share with your chicken sitter while you’re away.
Set clear expectations for family members, other pets, and yourself. Decide who the primary caretaker of your chickens will be, delegate chores between family members, and set aside some time each day to check-in and interact with your flock. Work with your other pets to help them become more familiar with your flock, and always keep dogs, cats, or other animals with a prey drive a safe distance from your chickens.
By taking these proactive steps, you’ll prepare yourself for having chickens as part of your routine and your family.
Omlet and your flock
See why chicken-keepers around the world entrust their flock to our chicken products. Our ingenious designs have won the hearts and seals of approval from thousands of chicken-keepers of all ages and stages. From easy to clean chicken coops to state-of-the-art smart automatic chicken coop doors, when you choose Omlet for your chicken-keeping needs, you’re setting yourself and your hens up for success during every season and activity.
It’s the most pivotal time of the year again — chickens are soaking in the last rays of summer sunshine while brisk evenings become more common. With this transitional time taking place over the course of several weeks, it’s the perfect time to begin preparing your chicken coop for the changing seasons. Learn how to help your flock acclimate to the weather and temperature changes by making some adjustments to their coop and run.
Coop considerations
To help prepare your hens for the cooler temperatures, there are a few things you can do to their chicken coop and run to support them through this season of change. From special cleaning sessions to preparing for wild weather, here’s your fall chicken-keeping checklist.
Deep cleaning
You should give your chicken coop a thorough cleaning at least twice a year: in the spring, and in the fall. By giving your coop a deep clean, you’ll ensure that your flock goes into the new season with a crisp, clean home to support a healthy immune system. Spot cleanings and bedding changes should be carried out weekly, but this seasonal deep cleaning should involve taking out all removable components of your coop to thoroughly pressure wash or scrub clean.
Bedding refresh
To prepare for the chillier evenings and soon to be frigid nights, you’ll want to change your flock’s bedding from pellets or recycled paper to wood shavings or straw. Shavings and straw have better insulating properties, which helps retain heat within the coop. Omlet’s Eglu Chicken Coops have twin-wall insulation to help retain heat, with ample ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. The Eglu Pro has the added benefit of adjustable vents to allow less air in during the colder months.
Change your clocks — and batteries
Changing your clocks soon? Then it’s time to check the batteries in your Smart Autodoor and adjust the time settings. Change the batteries if needed, and adjust the schedule accordingly to accommodate for the shorter days, If your Smart Autodoor is programmed to open and close with the amount of daylight, then you’re all set for the coming season.
Cover those feathers
Weather covers for chicken runs will help keep cold condensation off of your chickens. Chickens handle the cold quite well, but only as long as they’re able to stay dry. Wet feathers can quickly spell hypothermia during cold weather, and muddy runs can cause bumblefoot or other bacterial infections in your flock. Opt for transparent run covers during the frigid weather to allow sunlight to warm your flock while protecting them from the wetter weather.
Weather the storms
Fall is notorious for its wild weather patterns. Depending on where you live, the only predictable part of fall weather is that it’s unpredictable. Make sure your chicken coop is outfitted with wheels and handles for quick, easy movement in preparation for severe weather events. You’ll also need to check your coop after each storm to assess it for damage. Eglu chicken coops are designed to be weatherproof, giving you a warp and worry-free outlook on severe weather.
Warm up the water
Once the weather dips below freezing, your chickens’ water will begin to freeze. Keep your chicken waterers in sunlight to help them stay thawed during the day, and break the ice as needed. Bird bath heaters can be submerged in chicken waterers to keep them thawed, or you can keep your flock’s water from freezing over by adding boiling water to their container several times a day.
Seasonal specifics
As fall settles in, your flock will start experience natural, biological changes. The dwindling daylight hours is a signal for them to shed their old feathers in favor of new ones, and egg laying will become less frequent. See what other fall-specific activities your flock will be up to this season.
The messy business of molting
Chickens molt annually during the fall. This process involves your chickens shedding all of their feathers in order to regrow them in preparation for the winter. Because this event takes immense amounts of energy, your hens will lay fewer eggs or stop laying altogether. Chickens will usually complete a molt within 4-12 weeks. To help your hens through a molt, offer them plenty of protein in the form of dried insects, or rich hay like alfalfa.
Wood ash for better dust baths
One of the best additions to your chickens’ dust bath is ash from burned wood or leaves. Utilize the remnants of your autumn bonfires in your chickens’ dust bathing area by sprinkling or pouring them directly into the basin or designated spot. Make sure the ash isn’t from fires that contained treated wood or other chemicals, as this can cause harm to your chickens. Natural tree branches, leaves, or untreated logs for a fire make perfect ashes that your hens will revel in.
Omlet and your flock
Fall is an incredible time to spend with your flock. Make sure they’re fully supported throughout this season and the ones to come with insulated chicken coops, a Smart Autodoor, and chicken run covers. With Omlet, you and your flock can approach the changing seasons with anticipation rather than apprehension.
Everything you need to know about chicken eggs is this: they’re amazingly healthy for humans, are laid regularly by endearing backyard birds, and are a culinary staple in virtually every type of cuisine. But while all chicken eggs are healthy, they aren’t all identical. Your chickens’ eggs can even tell you about the health of your hens and their genetics. Dive into the wonderful world of chicken eggs, and discover fascinating facts about the world’s favorite breakfast staple.
Eggs are healthy for humans
Collecting eggs is one of the best parts of being a chicken keeper. Not only are they delicious and look spectacular when displayed on your kitchen counter, they’re also super nutritious. In fact, chicken eggs contain small amounts of nearly every vitamin and mineral that humans require. They’re rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and folate, as well as vitamin D and choline.
How do chickens lay eggs?
Contrary to popular belief, hens do not need the rooster in order to produce eggs. So how do chickens know when to lay eggs? The answer lies with the sun. Hens have a special receptor in their eye called the pineal gland, which communicates to the rest of their body that it’s time to ovulate, or produce an egg. This sensitivity to light is one of the reasons why hens lay fewer eggs during the winter months — there’s less daylight to prompt ovulation.
Once light enters the pineal gland, an oocyte (the egg yolk) is released from a hens’ ovary. The yolk begins its journey through a hen via the oviduct. If you have a rooster in your flock, it is at this point that a yolk could become fertilized. But, regardless of a rooster being present, the yolk will continue its journey through the oviduct, where it will be wrapped in the egg white, known as albumen.
The final stop for an egg is a hens’ uterus, which is called the shell gland. Over the course of about 20 hours, the shell gland will encase the albumen-wrapped yolk in the characteristic shell that we know and admire. If your hen lays colored eggs, it’s here where the pigment is applied. Once done, a hen’s uterus personally deposits the egg through the cloaca and into the nest to keep it clean and protected from feces, which share the same exit route. Shortly after an egg has been laid, hens will start the process all over again, with most laying breeds producing an egg 26-36 hours.
Not all chickens lay white eggs
You’ve seen white eggs, and you’ve probably even seen various shades of brown eggs. But did you know that chickens can also lay eggs in hues of blue, green, and even pink? Technically speaking, all egg shells start out white, thanks to calcium being their primary substance. But chickens with certain genetics have a pigment that is applied to eggs within the shell gland. This pigment is what gives these eggs their color.
Eggs can also be speckled, but this is more from an individual hen’s distinct laying habits rather than genetics. There are some breeds that are more prone to laying speckled eggs, but the freckled appearance is from calcium deposits during the shell formation. Any hen can potentially lay speckled eggs, but even those that do may not continue to do so throughout their lifetime.
Isolated events of strange eggs in the nesting box usually isn’t a cause for concern. And, pullets that are just beginning to lay will often produce elongated, pointed eggs their first couple of months. This is normal, and their eggs will slowly transition into the traditional shape.
If your mature hens suddenly stop laying eggs, or produce eggs that are elongated, misshapen, bumpy, or missing their shells, there are a few things to consider to get to the bottom of the cause:
Bumpy shells are small calcium deposits on the egg. Decreasing your flock’s calcium intake will help resolve bumpy eggs.
Eggs that have extremely soft shells or no shells at all are due to a lack of calcium in your hens’ diet. While startling to find, offering a calcium supplement free-choice to help prevent or correct soft-shelled eggs.
Elongated or misshapen eggs are usually a sign of illness or stress in adult chickens. Call your veterinarian if you notice more than one elongated egg in the nesting box from mature hens.
Fun facts about chicken eggs
Here are some fun or lesser-known facts about chickens and their eggs:
Hens have two ovaries, but their right ovary becomes dormant shortly after they hatch. This means that throughout a hen’s life, eggs will only be released from the left ovary.
An egg’s color, shape, and size have no effect on its taste or nutritional value.
On average, a single hen will lay between 260-325 eggs each year. The world record was set by a White Leghorn hen in 1970, with a total of 371 eggs in a single year.
Eggs are one of the most complete sources of protein.
One egg contains 6 grams of protein and 70 calories.
Omlet and your flock
Your backyard flock provides you and your family with nutritious and delicious eggs year-round. Provide them with the best living quarters to assist them in their amazing endeavor. Safe, insulated chicken coops, fully enclosed chicken runs and smart automatic chicken coop doors all promote and support healthy egg laying habits. Just just wonder what it’s like to have chickens, we’re here to tell you — it’s wondrous.
From children to adults, we’re all familiar with the feeling of boredom — but do chickens get bored? Indeed they do, and a bored chicken is an unhappy one. Discover why chickens get bored, and how to bust boredom before it manifests in behavioral displays within your flock.
Why do chickens get bored?
Chickens are naturally inquisitive, with an innate instinct to forage throughout the day. Flocks that free-range find enrichment in their environment, from bugs and plants to dust bathing spots and perching opportunities. But hens that are kept in runs or small areas miss out on many of these naturally occurring boredom-busters.
Signs that your chickens are bored
When chickens are bored, there will be observable clues. Bored chickens will typically:
Act lethargic or listless
Display aggression toward their owners or flock mates
Have feather loss from over preening or hen-pecking
Pace along the edges of the run
Peck at the coop
Eat their own eggs, or those of other hens
These behaviors can range from mild to severe, with some chickens causing serious injury to themselves or others. But you can mitigate the risk of these destructive behaviors by providing your flock with plenty of enrichment.
Flock boredom busters
To keep your chickens’ minds and bodies active and engaged, they’ll need elements to support a healthy lifestyle. These range from toys and accessories to activities that you help provide. Here’s how to keep boredom at bay among your flock.
Chicken toys
Chickens enjoy interacting with various elements, and toys are among their favorites, delighting hens and their keepers alike. Some chicken toys include:
DIY chicken toys like repurposed xylophones, small mirrors, or bells
These toys reward your chickens with food or sounds for their interactions. This type of feedback engages their minds and bodies and helps to prevent them from becoming bored. Toys can be mounted in your chickens’ run, providing hours of daily entertainment.
Chicken perches
One of the best ways to prevent your flock from becoming bored is to give them a variety of perches in their area. Chicken perches can be mounted to the wire of your chicken run, or Freestanding Chicken Perches can be added to open areas and moved as needed to provide plenty of perching opportunities. If your flock spends all or most of their time inside of a chicken run, a customizable PoleTree transforms their home into the ultimate play space while making use of the aerial space of a tall run.
For an unconventional perch, Chicken Swings make for excellent flock entertainment. Like a porch swing for your hens, these swings provide a relaxing place to unwind and enjoy a gentle sway of a suspended seat.
Activities for your chickens
While toys and perches are essential for flock enrichment, your hens will also benefit from activities. These can be with you or amongst themselves, but the goal remains the same — to appeal to their natural behaviors in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.
Dust baths
A chicken dust bath is another essential element for your flock to keep their feathers and skin healthy. This is also a social activity, where two or more hens will congregate at a time. They’ll happily roll and toss dust on themselves to remove parasites or debris from their plumage, and to catch up with each other. Chickens in runs should always be provided with a dust bathing area, while free-ranging chickens will likely find their own favorite dust bathing spots among bushes, sandboxes, or other loose soil.
Foraging
Even if your flock can’t truly free-range, you can simulate this experience by creating activities that encourage them to forage. In the fall, gather leaf piles to add to their run, and toss in their favorite treats for them to scratch and scavenge for. In the spring and summer months, add fresh grass clippings or grass hay for the same effect. Alfalfa hay can be offered in the winter for a boost of warming protein, along with warm mash at multiple intervals throughout the day.
Human interaction
Interacting with your chickens is rewarding for them and for you as their keeper. If you’ve had your flock for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that they’ll come running to you in anticipation of food. This reaction isn’t just endearing, it’s also a sign of trust and familiarity from your flock. Reward them with chicken-safe treats like fresh produce or dried insects to reinforce your bond. Spending time talking with your chickens or just enjoying their company is soothing for you, and helps prevent boredom for them.
Omlet and your flock
Your flock’s most valuable asset is you. By providing them with supportive and enriching elements, you’ll stave off boredom and deepen the bond built between you and your chickens. A safe chicken coop that can be easily customized makes a perfect canvas for creating an environment to keep boredom at bay. Adding chicken toys and perches and providing as much space as possible with chicken fencing or a walk in chicken run will go a long way in entertaining them. But the most important aspect of keeping your flock healthy and happy is you — caring for your flock, spending time with them, and seeing to their happiness is the best way to eliminate boredom from your chickens’ lives.
What is a chicken dust bath? It sounds messy, and to an extent that’s true, but dust baths serve an important purpose in your flock. Find out exactly what a dust bath is, why dust bathing is important to your chickens, and how to make sure that your flock has access to this element of their self-care.
What is a chicken dust bath?
A chicken dust bath is exactly what it sounds like: a chicken bathing in the dirt. But your hens won’t be grabbing a robe and loofah — instead, they’ll plop down in the loosest earth they can find, and roll from side-to-side while tossing dirt over their bodies with their wings and feet. This strange act of bathing may seem like it’s getting your chickens dingier than they were before, but once a chicken is done with a dust bath, they’ll shake off the loose dirt and preen their feathers. Sometimes you’ll see your hens scratching around in the dirt to loosen the substrate enough to take a dust bath in, but you can also make and maintain a designated dust bathing area for your flock in their chicken run.
Why do chickens dust bathe?
Chickens don’t like being wet, so instead they dust bathe to remove parasites, insects, and impurities from their skin and feathers. Dust baths are an important part of chicken health, and also aids in keeping your flock cool during the summer. This routine “dusting off” helps keep your chickens’ feathers bright and full, and keeps their skin in good condition. It’s also a social activity that hens in particular enjoy in pairs or groups. It’s common to see best friends or sibling hens taking dust baths together if the area is large enough.
Dust baths are especially important for helping your hens through the heat of the summer and to aid your flock during their annual molting cycle. The dirt that your hens toss onto their plumage helps to separate individual feathers from each other. In the summer, separated feathers helps circulate more air to their body to support their natural insulating system. During their molting cycle, chickens will need to shake out loose feathers and promote new feather growth — both of which are accomplished by dust bathing.
What is the best dirt for a chicken dust bath?
If your flock free-ranges, they’ll find their favorite dust bathing spots throughout their territory. Common areas that chickens will choose to dust bathe in are:
Garden beds with loose topsoil
Shaded areas under trees or shrubs
Sandboxes or other areas with loose dirt
Ash from outdoor fire pits or burned brush piles
Chickens will happily dust bathe in any substrate that is dry and loose enough to cover their feathers. Your flock won’t want to dust bathe in areas with grass, gravel, or mulch.
You can tell where your chickens have chosen to dust bathe by the nest-shaped indentations they leave behind. Feathers are another common sighting around dust bathing areas, especially during chicken molting season. Your chickens will also choose a dust bathing area that doesn’t get saturated in the rain. If you’re making your own chicken dust bath, make sure it’s in a place protected from precipitation, and away from any chicken waterers to avoid dirt being tossed into their drinking water.
Can I make a dust bath for my chickens?
You can make a dust bath for your chickens so that they have a designated place dedicated to this self-care activity. To make a chicken dust bath, you’ll need a container or basin with high sides, such as a:
Utility tote
Tire
Kiddie pool
Livestock feeding or watering troughs
The high sides will help keep contents of the dust bath contained, but make sure the sides are low enough for your hens to hop in and out of. If your space allows for it, aim for the diameter of the container to be large enough to accommodate at least two hens, as many chickens enjoy dust bathing together.
You can make a quality chicken dust bath with a few simple ingredients. Choose a base, or combine multiple, then add other elements as desired.
Bases:
Topsoil
Coarse sand like contractor’s or multipurpose (not play sand, as it’s often chemically treated)
Dirt or dried soil gathered from your yard
Additional ingredients:
Diatomaceous earth (DE)
Dried herbs
Wood ash
Peat moss
These ingredients fortify the dirt with natural insect-fighting components and immune-boosting nutrients to help keep your hens healthy and happy.
Omlet and your flock
Dust bathing may be a messy affair, but it’s vital to your flock’s overall wellbeing. But with an extra large chicken coop and run, your hens will have plenty of space to stretch out for a luxurious herbal dust bath. Hold the candles and glass of wine — opt for scratch grains in a chicken peck toy, or fresh vegetables in a Caddi Chicken Treat Holder near their dust bathing area for an ultra relaxing experience. Give your chickens a side of comfort and safety of Omlet along with their dirt, and they’ll be able to take the best dust baths any flock could hope for.
Considering an Eglu Chicken Coop for your flock? These modern feats of engineering take chicken keeping to a whole new level – especially during extreme weather. Here’s everything you need to know about Eglu coops in summer, one of the most trying seasons as a flock raiser.
Made for all weather
All of the Eglu Chicken Coops by Omlet are engineered for extremes. With twin-wall insulation, ample ventilation, and rugged composition, Eglus are designed to withstand everything mother nature doles out. Here’s how to determine which coop is best for your flock, depending on size, chicken breeds, and your space.
Eglu Pro
Our largest chicken coop yet, the Eglu Pro can comfortably house up to 10 large breed chickens. Adjustable vents allow for more cross flow ventilation during the summer, while helping to circulate fresh air. The large interior of the Eglu Pro allows hens to spread out when roosting overnight to help keep them cool, and the elevated design allows for ample shade beneath the coop during the day.
Eglu Cube
Similar in design, the Eglu Cube is a large, elevated chicken coop. The versatile size can accommodate up to 6 large breed hens, or up to 10 bantam breeds. Shade can be found under the coop, and the droppings tray can be removed for even more ventilation during the day. The Eglu Cube can be repositioned easily with the help of optional wheels and handles, enabling you to move it to shadier spots around your yard as needed.
Eglu Go Up and Eglu Go
Both the Eglu Go Up and Eglu Go can house 3 hens comfortably. These smaller coops still feature the same twin-wall insulation as their larger counterparts, but their compact size makes them easy to maneuver. The Eglu Go in particular is perfect for broody hens needing an undisturbed place to sit on a clutch of eggs, which is a common occurrence during the warm summer months.
Summertime advantages
In addition to their insulating and ventilating properties, Eglu Chicken Coops offer additional solutions for chicken keepers trying to keep their flock cool. These features are made possible by plastic chicken coops, which outperform wooden chicken coops in every aspect. Here are some of the greatest advantages that our plastic Eglu Chicken Coops have to offer during the summer.
Parasite prevention
Red mites are a chicken keeper’s worst nightmare, and are most active during the warmer weather that summer brings. They’re hard to treat, wreak havoc on your flock, and can cost countless hours of work to fully eradicate them. Thankfully, preventing red mites in your flockis much easier than treating them. These parasites live in nooks and crannies of wooden chicken coops, but plastic chicken coops offer nowhere for these opportunistic pests to hide. With routine coop cleanings and bedding changes, Eglu Chicken Coops can prevent red mites and other parasites from pestering your flock during the summer.
Cool construction
Our Eglu Chicken Coops offer insulation to combat the warm ambient temperature. But if you live in an area that experiences intense heat and humidity, there are additional measures you can take to help bring the temperature inside of the coop down even more. For extremely hot temperatures, consider using all three of these methods:
Shade
Place your Eglu Chicken Coop in a shady area. By keeping it out of direct sunlight, the exterior of the coop will stay cooler, which will in turn lower the temperature inside. For maximum effect, keep your coop in a place that is shaded the majority of the day to help maintain its temperature.
Fan
Placing a small fan inside of your Eglu Chicken Coop can help circulate even more air through the vents. Make sure that your chickens can’t reach any of the power cords (battery operated fans are ideal), and angle the fan so that the air is blown out through the coop door. You can also position a large fan on the outside of the run facing the underside of the coop to give your flock a breeze along with their shade.
Ice
Turn an Eglu into an igloo. Frozen water bottles or plastic ice packs placed in the droppings tray or directly on the roosting rack can help lower the temperature of your Eglu Chicken Coop quickly. Your hens will appreciate the cool object to nestle up on, and the bottles can be poured into your chicken waterer once thawed.
Simple sanitation
Let’s not forget the labors of love that chicken keepers endure during the summer. It’s no small feat to clean a chicken coop in sweltering heat, but Eglu Chicken Coops make summer cleaning a breeze. Our easy to clean chicken coops can be fully sanitized in just a few minutes with the help of a pressure washer or water hose. No more scrubbing roosting bars in a stuffy wooden chicken coop, your Eglu Chicken Coop components can be removed, hosed down, dried, and reassembled before you break a sweat.
Beat the heat with accessories
Add some accessories to your Eglu Chicken Coop to assist you in your battle against the summer heat. Eglu Run Covers add more shade to your flock’s area, and a Caddi Chicken Treat Holder can hold your flock’s favorite summertime snacks. Add Chicken Perches or a Chicken Swing to your hens’ run to give them a breezy place to perch during the heat of the day. And don’t forget to make a dust bath for your chickens to help keep their feathers, which act as their natural insulation, in prime condition.
Omlet and your flock
Through thoughtful and purposeful design, our Eglu Chicken Coops bring peace of mind and comfort to flocks and their raisers all over the globe. From extra large chicken coops to small backup chicken coops, you and your hens can rest easy this summer knowing that their home is keeping them safe and cool in the heat. Add a Smart Autodoor to automate your flock’s schedule to complete the ultimate summer setup, and never worry about setting an alarm to let your chickens out in the morning. It’s time to enjoy your summer, the Omlet way.
Chicken keeping in the summer requires flock-raisers to make some seasonal changes. For most regions, chickens are at a higher risk of overheating in the summer than freezing in the winter. Here are some chicken keeping considerations that are specific to summer, along with how to spot a flock that’s getting too hot, and how to help your hens through this warmer season.
Recognize signs of heat stress in hens
The most important skill to learn when keeping chickens in the summer is the ability to recognize the signs of heat stress in your hens. Heat stress can happen quickly, or over time, and can rapidly turn into heatstroke in chickens if not promptly treated.
Heat stress occurs when your chickens are unable to regulate their body temperature. This most often occurs when the ambient temperature and humidity level causes the “real feel” temperature higher than your chickens’ normal core temperature of 105°F-107°F. This “real feel” temperature is known as the heat index, and can be calculated through online tools by determining a ratio of the temperature and relative humidity. For example, a temperature of 90°F and a humidity level of 80% creates a heat index of 113°F. Understanding the heat index versus the actual temperature will help you determine when your hens may be too hot.
The symptoms of heat stress in chickens include:
Panting
Holding wings away from their body
Decreased appetite
Lethargy
Decreased egg production
Heatstroke occurs when a chicken’s body temperature remains elevated for an extended period of time, which causes organ failure. Signs that a chicken has progressed into heatstroke include those of heat stress, plus:
Pale combs and wattles
Collapse
If you notice your hens experiencing heat stress, move them to a cooler environment. Cool them down by submerging them from the neck down in a bucket of tepid water, or by bringing them into a more climate controlled environment. Don’t attempt to cool them down with ice packs or other extreme cooling measures, as this can bring their body temperature down too quickly and induce shock. If you don’t notice an improvement within 10-15 minutes, or you suspect that your chicken has already progressed into heatstroke, call your veterinarian.
Keeping your chickens cool during the summer
Avoiding heat stress is the best way to keep your flock healthy and happy during the warmer months. There are several ways to keep your hens cool during the summer. For maximum effect, use a combination of the following cooling methods.
Shade
Shade is one of the most important elements when keeping your flock safe in the heat. In dry climates in particular, shaded areas can be 10 or more degrees cooler than the temperature in the sun. A large, elevated chicken coop offers shade beneath the coop, and chicken run covers keep harmful UV rays off of your hens. If your flock free-ranges, make sure they have access to bushes, trees, or other sources of shade.
Cool water
Water is critical for chickens to keep cool in the heat. Your flock will need constant access to fresh, cool water to drink, and shallow pans or containers that they can stand in will help lower their body temperatures. Frozen water bottles or ice can be added to chicken waterers to keep the temperature palatable. Your flock will drink more during the warmer weather, so be sure to check their water levels and refill as often as needed. Electrolytes can also be added to their water to replenish nutrients and energy lost to the heat.
Misters or sprinklers
Other water elements that your hot-flock will appreciate are misters or sprinklers. Patio misting systems or sprinklers that provide a fine spray can significantly lower the temperature of surrounding areas. Add a large fan to circulate even more air, and your flock will have their own outdoor air conditioning system.
Dust baths
Chickens dust bathe more frequently in the hotter months to keep their skin and feathers in good condition. The dust helps keep parasites at bay, and helps separate individual feathers to allow more air circulation on their bodies. Make a chicken dust bath to help your hens in their endeavors, or give them access to dusty or sandy areas of your property for them to create their own bathing areas.
Cool treats
Summer chicken treats are an excellent way to boost your flock’s nutrition while providing relief from the heat. Frozen fruits and vegetables will help keep your hens cool, and chilled melon or lettuce contain water to help them stay hydrated. You can freeze scratch grains in ice trays or an ice mold for your hens to peck at, or freeze watermelon pieces to make their treating experience last longer.
Smart automatic chicken coop door
A smart automatic chicken coop door helps keep your hens on their schedule no matter the season. With settings that enable the door to open and close according to the sun or your own schedule, the Smart Autodoor by Omlet also allows you to open and close the coop door from the comfort of your own home. And, with connectivity all over the world, you can control your chicken coop door from wherever your summer travels take you.
One of the pioneers of the Omlet Ambassador Program, Jeremy discovered an unexpected synergy with his professional expertise on his chicken keeping journey. A Florida based building design engineer, we first connected with Jeremy when Omlet Co Founder James was traveling around America meeting customers. James found Jeremy data logging the Eglu Cube’s internal environment. Unsurprisingly, they hit it off.
Omlet Ambassador Jeremy Gary, from Florida, USA
So, Jeremy, tell me how you first got into chicken keeping?
Well, initially, it was my wife and son who wanted to keep chickens. I grew up with a farm behind me, and to my mind it sounded like a lot of work – and I already have enough of that! But I wasn’t set against it; I agreed and we started to look at options.
You know, everything I saw was garbage, just overpriced for what it was. For starters, wood just does not do well in our environment. The humidity will claim it straight back. And I could see that these coops were flimsy: they just weren’t going to stand up to predators. But we had already got these chicks and we were racing against time.
I finally came across an image of the Eglu Cube online. I began to do the research, to look into it. Back then, there was no Ambassador Program like there is now, so I had to go on what I could see online and to me, the design just looked like it would work. So we bought it, because I thought it would work.
And it did?
Well, I’ll tell you a story. I became more involved with Omlet after Hurricane Ian. Because we were hit. My entire backyard was destroyed. There were trees everywhere, fences gone. And I came out once it had passed, and there was this coop, just sitting there in the middle of it all. So, when you talk about the cost, about the investment, that to me is a big part of it.
Of course, not every coop will have to deal with a hurricane. This thing took down 40 ft trees – it was as big as I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to communicate what that looks like and feels like. It was astonishing. So I took a picture of the wreckage with my Eglu Cube in the middle and I sent it to Omlet Customer Experience just to let them know, hey, my coop is still here, even though nothing else is!
Jeremy’s Eglu Cube still standing after Hurricane Ian hit
Is that how you became an ambassador?
Look, if someone is going to invest, it’s great to be able to come and see it for real. So that’s why I think the Ambassador Program is so important. Because you can really communicate that value. It might be hard to understand that just by looking at it online. Right now, a lot more people are keeping chickens. There was the egg shortage during Covid, among other factors. Local interest is climbing, and for a first time customer, visiting an ambassador like me can really be a link with Omlet, a tangible connection, and I think that’s important with a big purchase.
So… hang on… you’ve gone from going along with getting chickens because it was what the family wanted – to being an Omlet Ambassador?
Yep. I came into this indifferent – I was going to be a bystander. I went from “Sure, OK, whatever you want to do,” to where we are today: I’m an Omlet Ambassador, and we currently have two Eglu Cubes, a Walk In Run, now an Eglu Pro – and we’re expanding our flock. I call it the chicken campus.
Sounds like a classic case of chicken math!
We started with three, an Ameraucana and two Easter Eggers. We were very selective and got them on a local farm. It was for animal welfare of course but also the human side – the hygiene factor of raising chickens is of utmost importance. So we found a farm that we were really impressed with.
Then, we got three Rhode Island Red refugees from another keeper nearby, whose setup was destroyed by the hurricane. They’ve since got another wooden coop, and within a couple of years, it’s already falling apart. We’re actually going to give them our original Eglu Cube now we have the Eglu Pro, because we don’t need three coops, even with our new arrivals, we have plenty of space.
So, we have the new chicks coming from a hatchery in five weeks. We tried very very hard to find someone locally, but it was tough. I couldn’t find anyone this time around that I was happy with. I looked carefully and chose a hatchery with a good reputation. It sounded strange to me at first, the idea of buying chicks in the post, but now I understand it, I understand it is fine. And there was quite a demand – we had to get in line! We have a Blue Copper Maran, a Wheaten Maran, a Blue-Laced Red Wyandotte and a Buff Brahma. My wife chose – she’s the one who cares what breeds we get. For me, we just need to look at ones which are hardy. So we will have 10 when they arrive. We may go to eleven or 12, we’ll see. I felt like with the Eglu Cube, six was comfortable, but that is because our Rhode Island Reds are big.
Do they have names?
With the first three, we each named one. I named the matriarch, Chicken Nugget. Because she looked like a nugget when she first hatched. Then there’s Fluffy, our second in command, the queen of broodiness, she has like four/five/six broody cycles a year. But she’s the sweetest too. Then Lila is third in command. She is the feistiest of them all – she’s the one that keeps the separation with the newer three – who all look pretty much identical. One of them’s called Runner, for obvious reasons. And actually she’s more strawberry blond since the molt. The other two, I’d have to ask my son. Only he can tell them apart. They are very much household pets, which is another reason why I would always recommend Omlet coops, for the security they provide.
Jeremy feeding his chickens inside the Walk In Run
Yes, indeed, the predator problem…
We’ve experienced it with the Eglu Cube and now already with the Eglu Pro, we come out and we see scratch marks around where predators have tried and tried to get in the coop overnight. Here in Florida, we have racoons, coyotes, bobcats. We’re in an area right along the coast, and there are predators everywhere. Where we are is a hotspot of development. Everyone is moving here, and the effect on these predators is that it condenses them. They’re more brazen, more desperate, which makes the chickens subject to some really determined attacks.
I saw a bobcat get a rabbit when I was taking a walk one night. It moved with total silence. I didn’t know it was there until it grabbed the rabbit and then it was gone. Coyotes aren’t scared any more. The coop will be literally covered in muddy pawprints in the morning. So keeping the flock safe is a huge piece of the puzzle. Most other coops I see, well, I couldn’t see them stopping a determined raccoon.
Then you have aerial attacks, which is probably an even bigger threat. I went out one morning, and I couldn’t hear them. Not a sound, and I thought, why aren’t they making any noise? Then I saw them, and they were all standing there, completely silent. I looked up, and there were seven hawks in the tree above their run, just looking down at them. The chickens were frozen. So, yes, it would be lovely to let them roam completely free – but not for long. The predator proofing that you get with an Eglu, that is invaluable. I talk about layers of security. An Omlet coop has layers of security. Because a determined predator will keep coming back. The evidence is there that they’re trying, but they don’t succeed. They can’t defeat it – and when you consider your chickens as pets, you try to protect them as such.
Yes, it means a lot to know they’re safe.
It’s not just predators – there’s the climate too. The coop is insulated and it’s great for the elements – but you still have to pick a spot with shade. It’s important to think about the local climate, and that’s where the Ambassador Program is helpful. Florida is basically a swamp. So a wooden coop just is not going to stand up. Then, because we’re in a hurricane zone, we can’t have any fixed structures. So both the Eglu Cube and the Eglu Pro comply with that. We can move it. We don’t – but we could. Local experience with chicken keeping helps.
So these are the kind of conversations we’ll have when people come to see our setup, which might begin by talking about a product, but are more the lifestyle. For example, the unsung hero of Omlet inventions is the Autodoor. I don’t mind telling you I laughed at first – I don’t know how I got talked into buying it. Well, it’s a game changer, truly. Unless you want to be up at the crack of dawn, every day, and be there to put them away every evening, you NEED this door. And when you go away, having the Autodoor means you can ask your neighbors to watch the chickens. Because it’s no big deal. It’s extremely reliable too. So, when someone is starting out, they might think, “Oh I don’t need that, I don’t want to spend that extra money,” but actually you need to hear it from someone who knows, who has been doing this for a while.
So to go back to your earlier question – that’s why I became an ambassador I guess. I do it because I want to be the resource for people that I would have wanted, when I started out.
It sounds like it’s been quite a journey – when did it really get under your skin?
I remember, we had the first chicks and I was racing against time because it took longer than I thought it would to find the right coop, and then I was building and assembling it, and by then they were roaming around me. They just walked around me and right from the start, they endeared themselves to me, because just by being with them and being around them, you realize they each have their own personality. They’re very soothing and comforting – they’re therapeutic. I run my own business and that gives me all the stress I need. There’s something very simple and basic about keeping chickens. You go out there, you feed them, you interact, they have their personalities and their quirks.
Jeremy Gary’s chicken keeping setup
Yes, every chicken keeper says this and it’s so true – they have so much character.
We did a photoshoot after I’d finished assembling the Eglu Pro, and their personalities really came out when I was photographing them. Some really wanted the limelight, some were really intrigued by the coop. I began this journey as a bystander. Now, when we’re done talking – I’ll be heading straight out there with the bananas, the treats. I’m the chef, I’m the one who always comes out with the treats, and they know it. When they see me, they rush outside and make a real hue and cry over it. It never fails to amaze me. I bring out tons and tons of food – and they still jostle and bicker like it’s the last scraps on earth. They’ve all got something to say! They’re part of my daily routine.
When the hurricane hit, well, my wife, she works for the Department of Health. So she was at the hurricane shelter, but I stayed because the chickens were here. It got scary really fast, so I put them in the garage. Afterwards, the first thing I did was go to the chickens. Because they are absolutely pet family members. I’ve become so fond of them, and I can’t wait to raise our chicks. It’s so fun. I’m so passionate about the products, because they are a big part of what makes chicken keeping enjoyable.
It starts as a hobby, and becomes a passion. I think a lot of people experience that.
I think for me, I think it is particularly exciting because my passion is twofold – as an engineer and a pet lover. The Eglu is this little house! It has insulation, ventilation, and security. I’m a residential and commercial design engineer, which means really understanding how buildings work and when or why they’re not functioning properly. So I approach the Eglu with the same mentality: to understand what the occupants need in terms of comfort. I guess that what I do professionally makes me a perfect customer to appreciate what goes into this. There’s a real synergy.
I understand it was because of that synergy that you got more involved with Omlet in the first place?
Yes, well, James (Omlet Co Founder) was doing visits in the US to really understand the US market and customer base, and he turns up at our house and we get chatting, and I tell him about the data logging I’m running on the Eglu Cube. Suddenly we’re deep in conversation and that’s how we began to forge this relationship.
I share the conviction that it’s about representing the chickens’ best interests, and telling people, if you want to raise chickens, this is the product you need and this is the reason why. You know whether you’re being sold a product or whether someone truly believes in what they’re saying. Yeah, I get commission – but that’s not why I do it. When I got commission, I used it to buy an Omlet PoleTree!
Ha! Great. Do you have any other Omlet products?
Well, I have a funny story. I have a dog. I mentioned the dog to someone at Omlet, and she said, well, you need to try this dog bed. But my dog is not a dog bed dog. We had dog beds, he never even looked at them. So I said no, there’s no point. But she sent me this dog bed anyway. And the dog loves that bed. I had to eat my words. Not only does the dog use that bed, he uses it constantly. He absolutely loves it, because of the bolster design and the quality of the mattress. I wanted to rubbish it! I told my wife, the dog will not use it, the dog doesn’t use beds. Now, where’s the dog? 99% of the time, he’s in his Omlet bed. It’s the design.
To chat to Jeremy about all things chicken keeping and Eglus, visit his ambassador profile here.
FREE shipping on orders over $100 
10% off your first order 
180-day guarantee 
