As part of our No Waste Series, we’re looking into how we can make small but impactful changes to waste less at home and make the most of what we already have in the kitchen and garden.
One thing we wanted to learn more about is composting, so we reached out to Michael, founder of Compost Club, who gave us some top tips for starting out in the compost world.
Composting doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming
The trick is using the right system for the right job. I use several composting methods side by side, and together they let me compost almost everything with very little effort. That includes garden waste, food scraps and even materials from keeping chickens and pets. Here are five composting tips to help you get started this year:
1. DON’T FORCE ONE BIN TO DO EVERYTHING
Different waste breaks down in different ways, so one compost bin rarely works for everything. I use Bokashi (more on this later) for food waste, a wormery for fruit and veg scraps, compost tumblers for mixed material and open bays for garden waste. Each system does what it’s best at and composting becomes much easier. Chicken bedding, pet-safe garden waste and high-nitrogen materials all benefit from having the right system rather than being squeezed into one bin.
Quick tip: If something keeps causing smells or flies, it probably needs a different system. In composting we say, “If you smell it, you’re losing it” and the “it” is nitrogen.
2. USE OPEN BAYS FOR BULKY GARDEN WASTE
For grass cuttings, prunings, leaves and larger volumes of material, open compost bays or circular heaps are hard to beat. They handle large volumes, allow good airflow and quietly turn garden waste into compost over time with very little intervention. They’re especially useful if you keep chickens. Used bedding, straw, wood shavings and manure are rich in nitrogen and compost brilliantly when mixed well with carbon materials and can generate heat for faster breakdown.
Quick tip: Mix materials well for better structure and aim to maintain around 50% moisture, good aeration and the right balance of greens to browns. A compost aeration tool makes turning much easier. You could introduce a hollow channel from top to bottom, like a chimney, to act as a lung for passive aeration.
3. LET WORMS HANDLE THE SMALL STUFF
Wormeries are brilliant for raw fruit and vegetable waste. They’re compact, low-maintenance and produce incredibly rich compost. They’re ideal if you generate small amounts of food waste regularly and want fast results without much effort. Avoid adding meat, dairy or pet waste to wormeries, but they’re perfect for plant-based kitchen scraps from busy households. However much you love soil, worms love it more – they have five hearts!
Quick tip: Always top food with a bedding of leaf litter and add around 10% browns to keep flies away and keep your worms happy.
4. Compost tumblers work best when they’re kept moving
Regular turning adds oxygen and speeds up decomposition. I use tumblers to mix food waste (especially Bokashi) with dry materials like wood chips. Shredded cardboard, paper or autumn leaves can work well too. This creates compost far faster than a static bin. Tumblers are also ideal for mixing in small amounts of soiled chicken bedding once it’s been balanced with plenty of carbon. I aim to mix greens and browns 50:50 by volume. In composting, “greens” refer to nitrogen-rich materials (like food scraps, fresh grass clippings and coffee grounds), while “browns” are carbon-rich materials (like dried leaves, straw, shredded cardboard and paper). A balanced mix of greens and browns helps compost break down faster and keeps your pile healthy.
Quick tip: A quick spin every day or two makes a big difference. Fill to about ¾ full, and choose a unit of at least 245 litres capacity.
5. BOKASHI – WHAT IS IT?
Bokashi is a unique composting method that involves fermenting food waste using beneficial microbes. It’s perfect for breaking down materials that traditional compost bins struggle with, like meat, dairy and cooked food. Bokashi works indoors, is mess-free and helps speed up the composting process. Once the food has fermented, you can add it to your garden or another compost system to finish breaking down.
Quick tip: Press food down firmly and keep the lid airtight to avoid smells.
CHICKEN KEEPER BONUS TIP: BOKASHI BEYOND THE BIN
Bokashi isn’t just useful for composting food waste, it can also play a helpful role for chicken keepers. Used correctly, Bokashi bran can act as a gut-supporting feed additive, helping introduce beneficial microbes into a chicken’s diet (I even feed a bit to my cat). It can also be sprinkled lightly into bedding as an odour suppressant, reducing ammonia smells and improving conditions in the coop.
When Bokashi-treated bedding and manure are added to compost, the fermented microbes help accelerate decomposition, resulting in a more balanced, biologically active compost. That means better soil structure, healthier plants and a stronger soil food web.
Quick tip: Use Bokashi sparingly with chickens. Small amounts go a long way, and it works best as part of a wider composting and soil-building system.
Composting doesn’t have to be perfect – just practical
By using a few simple systems together, you can compost more waste, including food scraps and chicken bedding, faster, with fewer problems. Start small, keep it simple and let nature do the rest. Compost made well will be far superior to anything you can buy commercially, thanks to all those living microbes that power the process. If there’s one thing the soil has taught me, it’s that diversity is resilience. Whether that’s your compost inputs and process, your plants, your animals and even our human communities.
Thanks so much to Michael Kennard, Founder of Compost Club, for these tips. We’re looking forward to trying them out ourselves and hope you do too. You can find out more about composting, as well as details about upcoming workshops and courses at compostclub.online.You can also get 15% off compost on their site with code OMLET15.
You may not find a class on how to raise chickens at your local college – which is why we’re here to help you get started on your chicken-raising journey. Lots of information about chicken care for beginners can be found online, but it can all be a bit overwhelming. The surest way to succeed is to stick to the basics, opt for a high-quality, long-lasting set up, and to keep things simple. Omlet has the knowledge and the products to help you succeed when getting chickens for the first time.
Reasons to start raising chickens
If you’re new to poultry, getting chickens for the first time can seem daunting. Hens are often viewed as farm-specific animals whose main purpose is to lay eggs. But chickens actually make wonderful backyard pets that are full of personality and character.
There are so many benefits of raising chickens. These include, but are not limited to:
Other family pets that may pose a risk to your hens
Zoning laws and city ordinances if applicable
Selecting your chicken coop and run
Chickens don’t require as much hands-on care as other pets do, but will still need to be looked after daily. Make sure you have adequate space for the number of chickens you want to keep – giving them as much space as possible. Secure your chickens’ area to prevent other pets or predators from reaching them.
The best beginner chicken breeds
It’s a good idea to research and decide whichbreeds of chickens you want to keep before bringing any hens home. Different breeds have different qualities and temperaments, but here are some that are known for being great hens for first-time chicken keepers:
Consider your climate, available space, and egg-laying expectations when selecting which breeds you want to keep. Keeping a “mixed flock” is common among chicken keepers, as it adds variety to your egg basket. You may also find “barnyard mix” hens, which are a mixture of several different breeds. These hens are often bred to be excellent egg layers, be cold or heat-hardy, or to have a specific ornamental appearance.
If you’re getting full-grown chickens, select your hens based on temperament and appearance. As with other pets, hens have unique personalities and some may be more in sync with your own personality.
Getting started with chicks vs mature hens
If you want to start your flock from baby chicks, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the breeds you want to keep. Once you’ve decided on which breeds you want, you’ll need to knowwhere to find and buy your chicks. Common options include local feed stores, breeders, or even online hatcheries, like Meyer Hatchery, Murray McMurray Hatchery, or Cackle Hatchery. No matter where you purchase your chicks from, be sure they are reputable establishments or breeders for the types of chicks you’ve chosen.
Raising chicks can be a very rewarding experience for any flock-keeper – beginner or experienced. Chicks grow fairly quickly, but do require extra care and equipment until they’re old enough to be more self-sufficient. To raise baby chicks, you’ll need:
A secure brooder pen
A heat lamp or brooder plate
Chick-specific feeders and waterers
Chick-feed and grit
With each newstage of raising chicks comes different necessities. Newly hatched chicks will need a special enclosure called a “brooder” for the first several weeks of life. A brooder should be predator-resistant and kept somewhere out of the elements. Garages or barns are ideal places to keep brooder pens. Baby chicks will also need a heat source (which mother hens would ordinarily provide) that is adjusted weekly to help them adjust to life outside. You can expect to house and care for your chicks in their brooder until they are around 12 weeks old.
One of the greatest benefits of raising chicks is being able to handle them from a young age. Handling your chicks daily will help to make them more docile as adult hens. After a short while of being handled and housed in the brooder, your chicks will be ready to be moved to their permanent home.
Best chicken coops for beginners
Aside from the chickens themselves, achicken coop is the most important aspect of keeping chickens. And, as a beginner, you’ll want a coop that works with you, not against you. For example, DIY chicken coop plans may look appealing, but they often lack fundamental provisions for your flock. It’s important to have a safe, easy-to-clean, comfortable coop for your hens to support their health and well-being.
Think of your yard’s space, and how large of a flock you intend to keep. If you want to keep more than four hens, you’ll need alarge chicken coop.
Determine how much time you want to dedicate to cleaning and maintaining your chicken coop and run. It’s important to remember that wooden chicken coops all require routine maintenance, updating, and take several hours to clean thoroughly.
Plastic chicken coops don’t rot, peel, or succumb to the elements – so they require zero maintenance. Omlet chicken coops are also incredibly easy to clean: simply remove the droppings tray and roosting rack, dump the bedding, spray or wipe clean, add fresh bedding, and place the components back in the coop. Our coops take all of the guesswork out of chicken care for beginners, and allow you to spend more time enjoying your flock, and less time cleaning and maintaining their coop.
How much space does a chicken need?
Chickens crave space – and lots of it. Chickens are much happier when allowed as much space as possible to explore.Chicken runs give your flock a safe space outside of their coop to peck at grass and insects, stretch their legs and wings, and soak in fresh air and sunshine.
A great option for first-time chicken owners is awalk in chicken run. These runs not only give your hens more aerial space forchicken perches, but also allow you to easily spend time with your flock. Our chicken coop attached runs can be easily integrated with a walk in run, or you can simply place your chickens’ coop right inside of the walk in run.
We’ve also made it possible toextend your walk in run as your flock grows. Both the length and width can be extended at any time, giving your hens maximum space. You can also addwalk in chicken run partitions to create different areas of your walk in run. This is helpful for keeping hens separated if needed or when introducing new flock members.
If free-ranging is more in line with your lifestyle, considerchicken fencing to keep your hens close to home. Chicken fencing can be used to prevent your flock from getting into flower beds, wandering off of your property, and straying too far from home. Configure a pen of any shape with posts that can be repositioned at any time, or anchor the fence to a structure with a wall mount. An easy-access gate allows you to enter and spend time with your hens while they explore their surroundings.
How much to feed a chicken per day?
Each chicken needs just over 4oz (about 120g) of quality feed per day to stay healthy, happy, and laying their best. Chickens are fairly self-sufficient and prefer their feed to be left out during the day so they can snack as needed. To keep your flock fed, simply keep theirchicken feeders full of quality feed.
What type of feed should I give my chickens?
If your hens are laying age (16 weeks or older), they’ll need to be fed laying pellets or crumble. Both varieties offer the same nutrients, so it comes down to what your flock prefers. Some hens, especially smaller breeds or older chicks transitioning from chick crumble, may do better with crumble, but either option will keep your hens healthy and productive.
How can I keep feeding time clean and easy?
Chickens can make quite a mess of their feed, which can attract pests to your chicken run unless you clean up and bring the feeder in every night. To save yourself time and keep things tidy, consider investing in a feeder like theOmlet Smart No Waste Chicken Feeder. Its clever no-spill design keeps your run pristine, and the automatic daylight sensor closes the feeder at night so you never have to bring it in away from twilight pests. It holds enough feed for six hens for a whole week and even sends refill alerts to your phone, so you’re always one step ahead. Try offering treats in aCaddi Chicken Treat Holder or aChicken Peck Toy to keep your flock entertained while keeping food off the ground and your run clean.
How much water does a chicken drink per day?
A healthy chicken drinks about half a pint (around 500ml) of water each day, but this can double in hot weather or if your hens are laying eggs regularly. Just like you, chickens thrive when they have constant access to fresh, clean water – so keeping their drink topped up is one of the most important factors to ensure happy, productive hens.
How long can a chicken go without water?
Chickens can’t go long without water – just 24 hours without fresh water can seriously impact their health and egg-laying. In hot weather, they can become dehydrated even faster. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your flock always has access to clean, cool water. A reliable waterer takes the guesswork out of hydration and keeps your chickens happy, healthy, and laying their best.
What is the best chicken waterer?
When it comes to choosing the best chicken waterer for your flock, you want something that keeps water clean, flowing and is easy to refill. The Omlet Insulated Chicken Waterer keeps the water inside fluid and at a comfortable drinking temperature even when it’s freezing cold or boiling hot outside. The enclosed design also keeps out debris and algae, so your hens always have access to the freshest water possible.
Caring for your backyard chickens
Getting into a routine will come naturally after you’ve tended to your chickens for a few weeks. Coop cleaning, feeding, watering, and egg collecting are all part of the daily task list for chicken keepers. If you’re unsure about what your routine should look like, here are some things you should be doing daily and weekly to keep your coop clean and fresh:
Chickens thrive on routine, and will help you establish one that works for both of you. Most chickens are ready to go out of the coop at sunrise, and will naturally go in to roost around sunset. Hens will usually lay eggs in the late morning or early afternoon, but the timing will vary between chickens and seasons. It’s not common for hens to lay eggs overnight, but it’s good practice to check the nesting boxes each time you visit the coop.
Zoning laws, predators, & protection from seasons
You’ll need to make a few adjustments to your flock’s setup depending on where you live. Luckily, Omlet makes it easy to adapt and overcome obstacles as a new chicken keeper.
Chicken zoning laws
Before heading out and purchasing your chickens, be sure to check with your local city or county office to make sure that you can keep chickens where you live. Most states leave it up to individual cities or governing authorities such as homeowners associations (HOA) to create and enforcelaws about keeping chickens.
Many cities allow chickens to be kept in backyards, but will have restrictions or requirements. These may include:
Flock size
Coop type and location
Prohibiting roosters
If you’re part of an HOA, they may have additional regulations apart from the city you live in. Once you’ve obtained permission with the city, check your HOA bylaws or contact a board member to see if you can keep chickens.
Omlet has achicken coop for every size flock to accommodate size regulations. And, with optional wheels and handles for every coop and attached run, you can move your Omlet chicken coop around your yard to comply with guidelines. Since our coops aren’t permanent structures, it’s unlikely that you’ll need a permit or a cement pad to place one in your backyard.
Chicken predators
Chicken predators are an unavoidable part of keeping a flock. No matter where you live you’ll encounter predators that will try to take advantage of hens that aren’t fully protected. From coyotes, foxes, and bears in the country, to racoons, hawks, and even neighborhood dogs and cats inside of city limits, you’ll need to fortify your flock’s home. Some common predators you may encounter include:
Coyotes
Raccoons
Hawks or other birds of prey
Foxes
Cats and dogs
Snakes (mainly in search of eggs, but some species will go after hens)
Make sure your chicken coop doors are secure and have mechanisms that can’t be pried open by pesky paws. Installing anautomatic chicken coop door adds an extra layer of protection between your hens and predators trying to get in a closed-up coop. The horizontal open and closing mechanism helps prevent the door being pried open – unlike vertical opening doors.
Omlet has also taken protective measures against racoons. Raccoons are known to use their hand-like paws to turn knobs and levers, or reach through wire to get to their prey. The tightly spaced wire across the bottom of ourchicken runs prevents them from reaching your hens. TheEglu Cube and Eglu Pro also have raccoon-resistant access door handles that also double as child-safety locks.
Seasonal protection
As outdoor pets, your chickens need different care during different times of the year. Most chicken keepers elect to cover their chickens’ runs to protect them from the elements. Omlet’s line ofheavy-duty chicken run covers offers protection from rain, snow, wind, and harmful UV rays. Our dark green tarps are perfect for providing shade on a hot summer day, while our clear tarps allow sunlight to filter through to warm your hens during the chilly winter months.
The temperate weather of spring and fall is favorable for hens, depending on your location. And while most breeds of chicken tolerate both high and low temperatures, if your area experiences extreme temperatures you’ll need to take additional measures to keep your hens comfortable.
During extreme cold temperatures in the winter, consider adding anextreme temperature jacket to your chickens’ coop. While ourEglu chicken coops are designed to keep the inside temperature at a comfortable level, your hens will appreciate the extra layer of insulation during the bitterly cold months, especially if you opt for a small flock or small breeds. Be sure to also offer your hens plenty of perching space as reprieve from the frozen ground. Offerwarming chicken treats to keep their metabolisms up and to promote egg laying.
How many eggs do chickens lay per year?
Egg-layingbreeds of chickens will produce approximately one egg every day and a half. That means that during peak laying age (around two years old), high-producing egg layers can produce between 250-300 eggs per year. But do they need your help to accomplish this?
Many first-time chicken owners wonder what they can do toencourage hens to lay eggs. The main components to help keep hens happily laying are:
Chickens can make wonderful, entertaining pets that offer enjoyment to any family – so long as expectations are realistic and preparations are made. Before diving into the world of chickens, remember:
Don’t expect chickens to be cuddly, hands-on pets, they’re friendly, but usually prefer a little space.
Avoid buying cheap, flimsy coops or runs that might rot or fall apart; invest in quality from the start.
Don’t forget that chickens live outdoors all year; make sure their setup can handle changing weather.
Don’t try raising chicks unless you have a safe brooder, can manage the hatching process, and have time to care for them for 2–3 months before they move outside.
Never skip checking with your local authorities about keeping chickens or setting up a coop.
Don’t bring home chickens without researching the breeds that best fit your lifestyle and space.
And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the experience!
Begin keeping chickens with Omlet
Starting your chicken-keeping adventure should feel exciting, not overwhelming—and that’s where Omlet comes in. We’re here to make every step easy, fun, and full of possibilities. With our clever products, you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your flock’s antics and unique personalities. Add a little extra joy to your coop with ourChicken Swing or let your hens explore with theCustomizable PoleTree Chicken Perch. With Omlet by your side, you’ll have everything you need to create a happy, healthy, and endlessly entertaining home for your chickens right from the very first day.
In a world that’s increasingly instant, filtered and endlessly scrollable, we wanted to slow things right down with our latest content series: Capture It.
We sent disposable cameras to a group of chicken keepers and asked them to capture the every day moments of chicken keeping. No retakes. No instant previews. Just a limited roll of film and a flock.
We checked in with a few keepers after developing their photos, to see how the experience was for them. Several keepers told us how freeing it felt using a camera with a photo limit, and not being able to see each photo immediately afterwards.
“It makes you really think about the photograph, the experience becomes more mindful.” James
Everyone captured more of the small, often-overlooked moments: feeding hens by hand, frosty mornings at the coop, or simply watching the flock chatter their way into the day.
Again and again, keepers spoke about how chickens naturally pull you away from phones and into the moment. They teach rhythm: waking with the light, bedding down at dusk. They create routine and responsibility and they bring people together – whether it’s children racing to check for eggs first thing, or family members being greeted by the flock each morning.
“All the moments with hens beat scrolling. It’s grounding. It’s real.” Gemma
“It allowed me to be more present and in the moment.” Gemma
One keeper captured spending time with an older hen in her final days which is so special, and a reminder of how important it is to savor the little moments while you can.
We hope you enjoy these snaps, and thank you so much to all the lovely chicken keepers for getting involved in the Capture It series.
What will you do this season to stay more present and grounded?
When it comes to raising happy, healthy chickens, ensuring proper chicken hydration by providing clean, fresh water is one of the most important things you can do. But with so many chicken waterer options on the market, how do you know which one is right for your flock? At Omlet, we believe that every backyard chicken keeper deserves a waterer that’s not only reliable and hygienic, but also makes life easier for you and your hens. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular chicken waterer types and highlight their pros and cons.
Traditional Gravity-Fed Waterers
Overview: Gravity-fed waterers are a staple in many backyard coops. These typically consist of a reservoir that sits atop a shallow tray. As chickens drink, gravity pulls more water into the tray, keeping it filled.
Pros:
Simple to use and set up
Inexpensive and widely available
Cons:
Water is exposed to dirt, bedding, and droppings, making it prone to contamination
Algae can quickly build up in the tray, especially in warm, sunny weather
Can be easily tipped over by enthusiastic hens
In winter, water in the tray freezes quickly
In summer, water in the tray warms up above optimal drinking temperature fast
Our Take: Gravity-fed waterers are a budget-friendly option, but they require frequent cleaning, checking and refilling. For busy chicken keepers or those with larger flocks, the maintenance can become a daily chore.
Nipple Waterers
Overview: Nipple waterers deliver water through small valves that release droplets when pecked by a chicken. These are typically attached to buckets, pipes, or large reservoirs, offering a more enclosed system than open trays.
Pros:
Keeps water clean and free from debris and droppings
Reduces spillage and waste
Suitable for larger flocks with less frequent refilling
Cons:
Chickens may need time to learn how to use the nipples
Some models may drip or leak, leading to damp spots in the coop
Our Take: Nipple waterers are a step up in hygiene and efficiency, making them a popular choice for many chicken keepers. By keeping water enclosed and only dispensing it when pecked, these systems help reduce contamination and keep your flock’s water fresher for longer.
Cup Waterers
Overview: Cup waterers feature small cups that fill with water when chickens peck at a trigger or automatically refill when the water level drops as they drink. Like nipple waterers, they’re often attached to buckets or pipes.
Pros:
Water stays somewhat cleaner than in open trays
Chickens can drink easily from the cup
Less spillage compared to open waterers
Cons:
Cups can still collect dirt, droppings and bedding
Cups with triggers can clog and break over time
Water in cups freezes in winter, and warms up in summer
Our Take: Cup waterers offer an easy drinking experience for poultry, with reduced waste from spill, but they still require regular cleaning and can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
DIY and Open Bowl Waterers
Overview: Some chicken keepers opt for simple bowls, buckets, or even repurposed containers as poultry waterers.
Pros:
Extremely affordable
Easy to clean and refill
Cons:
Water gets dirty very quickly
Bowls can be tipped over or stepped in frequently
No protection from freezing or contamination
Our Take: While DIY solutions can work in a pinch, they’re not ideal for long-term use. Your flock deserves better than muddy, contaminated water.
Why the Omlet Waterer is the Best Choice for Your Flock
At Omlet, we set out to solve the common problems faced by chicken keepers everywhere. The result? The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Waterer, a game-changer for backyard flocks.
We listened to real chicken keepers and designed a waterer that tackles freezing temperatures, contaminated water, daily refreshes and bullying at the water source. Every feature is crafted with your flock’s comfort and your convenience in mind, so you can spend more time enjoying your chickens and less time worrying about their water. With the Omlet Waterer, you’re giving your hens the best in hydration, hygiene, and health.
Key Features That Set Us Apart
Insulated Design: Our insulated waterer helps stop water from freezing, ensuring your chickens have access to fresh water even in the coldest months. No more breaking ice or hauling warm water to the coop on frosty mornings.
Clean Water, Always: The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Waterer is designed to keep water clean from debris and algae. With a fully enclosed system, you’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your flock.
Nipples and Cups Included: We know every flock is different, so we include both nipples and cups. Whether your hens prefer pecking or sipping, you can choose which to use to suit them best.
Anti-Bully 360° Design: Our unique 360-degree layout features five founts, so multiple chickens can drink at once, without crowding or bullying. Every hen gets her fair share, even during the morning rush.
Anti-Roost Lid: Tired of chickens perching on your waterer and making a mess? Our anti-roost lid keeps your water clean and poop-free, and your hens feet on the ground.
Omlet Waterer vs. The Rest: A Quick Comparison
Omlet and Your Flock
Choosing the right waterer isn’t just about convenience – it’s about the health and happiness of your flock. With the Omlet Insulated Waterer, you get peace of mind knowing your chickens have access to clean, fresh water year-round. Less work for you and a better life for your hens. You’ll notice your flock is more content and productive when their basic needs are met with ease. Plus, the durable construction and easy-to-clean design ensure your investment lasts season after season. Give your chickens the gift of reliable hydration and watch your coop thrive with Omlet by your side.
There’s nothing quite like seeing our products out in the real world, doing what they do best. So for this instalment of ‘in the wild with…’, we caught up with the wonderful Katherine Salom and her flock in Texas. You can follow Katherine’s chicken-keeping journey at @gulfcoastcluckers, where she shares content of her flock (including lots of Malaysian Serama bantams which are the smallest chicken breed in the world!) as well as top chicken-keeping tips, and updates to her coop setup.
Living in a mostly hot climate, her hens are thirsty for cleaner sips, and cooler, fresher water all year round, here’s how it’s transformed her daily chicken-keeping routine.
Describe the new Omlet Waterer in 3 words:
Sturdy, innovative, and functional.
How has it impacted your daily chicken routine?
It’s made watering my flock so much easier! I don’t have to worry about constantly refilling or cleaning out nasty waterers anymore. I have experienced no algae growth which is a problem I often face here in the Texas heat. It keeps the water clean, cool, and off the ground, which means it stays clean. The ability to see how much water is left without having to open it up makes chicken chores easy! If I do notice a dirty cup, you can flush it with a quick spray of the hose and it’s clean!
How does it fit in with your other Omlet products?
Perfectly! It matches the sleek, practical design of my Eglu and Walk-In Run setups. The colors are cohesive and look so nice together. Everything from Omlet just works together so well, it makes my whole chicken coop look tidy and intentional!
How have the chickens taken to it? Did it take them long to get used to it? Is there anything you did that made them warm to it more quickly?
They figured it out fast! Chickens are curious, so once they saw me set down the new Waterer, they were all over it. I gave it a little tap to show them where the water came from, and within minutes they were drinking like pros.
Would you recommend the Waterer to other chicken keepers?
Absolutely! It’s one of those upgrades that you don’t realize how much you’ll love until you have it. I haven’t ever found a chicken waterer that I love, until now, and this one checks all the boxes! I was refilling waterers from a different brand a few weeks back before I left town and the plastic snapped on two of them, making them trash. It left me in a bit of a predicament, but the Omlet Waterer is built so strongly, that would never happen; it’s worth the money for a quality product that will last for years. It keeps things cleaner, saves time, and makes caring for my flock a whole lot easier. Plus, like all Omlet products, it’s built to last.
Katherine’s experience shows exactly what the Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Waterer was designed for: cleaner water, fewer chores, and reliable performance in every season. Whether it’s paired with an Omlet setup or added to a more traditional coop, it’s built to handle the demands of real backyard flocks. A small upgrade that makes a big difference, are you ready to make watering effortless, all year long?
Switching your flock to a chicken nipple waterer is one of the best upgrades you can make for your backyard coop. It keeps water completely clean and stops the chore of ditching dirty water everyday. If you’re new to this system, you might wonder how to train your hens to use a chicken nipple waterer. The good news is that with a little patience and the right approach, your hens will adapt quickly and confidently.
Why Choose a Chicken Nipple Waterer?
Traditional waterers can get dirty fast, especially when curious hens scratch bedding into them or perch on the rim. A chicken nipple waterer delivers water only when a hen pecks at the small metal nipple, keeping the supply clean from inside the waterer straight to your hens’ beak. It’s a simple change that ensures your hens have access to clean water all the time.
Getting Started: Preparation is Key
Before introducing the new waterer, make sure it’s installed at the right height – in line with your hens’ beaks, so they have to reach up slightly to peck at the nipple. Fill it with fresh, cool water. If possible, set up the nipple waterer alongside your hens’ usual water source for a day or two, so they can get used to seeing it.
Step-by-Step Training
Remove other water sources: Once you’re ready to train, take away all other poultry waterers. This encourages your hens to investigate the nipples when they get thirsty.
Demonstrate the nipple: Gently tap the nipple with your finger until water drips out; this helps your hens associate the nipples with their water source. Curious hens will often come over to investigate. You can also guide a hen’s beak to the nipple and gently press it so she sees water appear.
Encourage exploration: Some hens catch on immediately, while others need a little more encouragement. If your flock seems hesitant, try adding a small amount of a treat on the nipple to encourage your chickens to peck and discover the release of water.
Monitor closely: For the first few hours, keep a close eye on your flock. Make sure each hen discovers how the nipple works before you remove other water sources. If you have a large flock, check that the more timid birds aren’t being crowded out by dominant hens.
Be patient: Most hens learn within a day. If you have older birds or a particularly cautious flock, it might take a bit longer. Stay patient and keep demonstrating as needed.
Troubleshooting Tips
Double-check that the nipples are working smoothly and the waterer is at the right height for all your hens. If you have a mixed size flock, you may need a couple of waterers at different heights to suit everyone.
For chicks, wait until they’re at least a week old before introducing nipple waterers, and always supervise closely.
Omlet and your flock
The OmletInsulated Chicken Nipple Waterer not only ensures water remains completely clean from dirt and poo from inside the sealed source to your chickens’ beak, but the light blocking body also stops algae build up inside before it starts. Other nipple waterers freeze in winter, but the innovative insulation of the Omlet Waterer keeps water fluid for 10 hours at -5F.
Choosing the right waterer for your chickens is essential for their health and happiness. Understanding when to use cups or nipples can help you get the most out of your setup and ensure your flock always has access to clean, fresh water. By selecting the right attachment for your chickens’ needs and adjusting as they grow or as the seasons change, you can support their wellbeing and make daily care more efficient.
How to choose the right waterer for your flock
Choosing the right waterer for your flock means considering the specific needs of your chickens at every stage and in every season. Young chicks often do best with cup waterers, as the open design makes it easy for them to drink and for you to keep an eye on their water intake. As your flock matures, nipple waterers become a practical option for keeping water cleaner and reducing waste, especially in larger groups or in environments where hygiene is a top priority. The ideal waterer is one that doesn’t force you to pick just one method. The OmletInsulated Stay Clean Waterer gives you both options in a single, easy-to-use system. You can start with cups for your pullets, then switch to nipples as your birds grow or as your needs change. By choosing a waterer that adapts to your flock, you ensure that your chickens always have access to fresh, clean water, making daily care simpler.
When to use cups on the Omlet chicken waterer
Cups are a great choice for certain situations and stages of your flock’s life. They provide an open, familiar drinking experience that many chickens, especially young chicks, find easy to use. The open design allows chickens to drink freely, without any training, however in winter the water in the cups will freeze and will need to be checked and any ice broken everyday.
When to use nipples on the Omlet chicken waterer
Nipple attachments are ideal for keeping water clean and flowing all year. Nipples dispense water only when a chicken pecks at them, meaning the clean water is delivered from inside the closed source straight to your chicken’s beak. This keeps every drop crystal clean and free from dirt and debris. This makes nipples a smart option to reduce water waste and frequency of cleaning. However, nipples take some training for chickens who haven’t used them before and need to be placed at the perfect height to make it easy for your hens to drink. As well as being best for keeping water clean, using nipples with the Omlet Chicken Waterer is best for use in extreme temperatures as the water remains inside the insulated waterer where it keeps a consistent temperature until the moment the chicken pecks it, preventing water warming up in summer and freezing in winter.
Tips for switching between cups and nipples
One of many benefits of the Omlet Insulated Chicken Waterer is the ability to easily switch between cups and nipples. However, it’s best to use one type at a time rather than mixing both as nipples and cups require the waterer to be positioned at different heights for your chickens to be able to drink from them. If you’re transitioning from cups to nipples, give your flock a little time to adjust and make sure everyone understands how to use the new attachment. You can encourage them by gently tapping the nipple so they see water being released and placing their favorite treat on the nipple. Ensure chickens still have access to an open, cup source of water so they don’t go without while learning. Always monitor your chickens when you make a change to ensure everyone is drinking and staying hydrated. If you have a mixed-age flock, consider having multiple waterers so young chickens can access cups while learning to use nipples like their elders.
Why the Omlet insulated stay clean waterer is the smart choice
The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Waterer is designed to adapt to your flock’s changing needs. Its insulated construction keeps water cool in summer and prevents freezing in winter, so your chickens always have access to fresh flowing water. The stay-clean features reduce the time you spend on cleaning and replacing water, and the flexible design means you can quickly switch between cups and nipples as desired. With the ability to choose the right attachment for your flock and the peace of mind that comes from a well-designed, insulated waterer, you can focus more on enjoying your chickens and less on daily chores.
Quick reference: when to use each attachment
Plastic Cups:
Best for chicks or hens who haven’t used nipples before
Best for immediate drinking, no training required
Nipples:
Keeps water cleaner
Keeps water at the right temperature in extreme weather
Omlet and your flock
With the Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Waterer, you have the flexibility to provide the best hydration solution for your chickens at every stage. By understanding when to use cups and when to switch to nipples, you can keep your flock healthy, your run cleaner, and your daily routine simpler. The Omlet waterer is designed to make chicken keeping straightforward, reliable, and adaptable – so you can always feel confident you’re giving your flock the care they deserve.
While out in Austin, Texas for the 8th annual Whole Home Showcase, we got to explore the beautiful spaces, each designed by a different creative, and each with its own independent style.
We couldn’t leave without letting our hens have a tour of their own, so we paired the different chicken breeds, and their classic traits, with the beautifully styled spaces of the home. What do you think?
White Leghorn in the Bathroom, designed by @jointhebandd
The most independent breed wasn’t following the flock to the plushier rooms, she booked herself straight into the ensuite. Always alert, she’s the kind of guest who appreciates good lighting and a bit of privacy.
Black Copper Maran in the Upper Living Room, designed by @rteriorstudio
This hen was immediately drawn to a calm, collected perch away from chaos. The cosy tones and relaxed textures made it perfect for the quieter type who prefers a chilled evening in.
Rhode Island Red in the Guest Suite, designed by @leahoconnelldesign
Obviously, we matched our boldest hen to the boldest room. Loud patterns and layered prints? Right up her alley. This confident queen strutted straight in like she owned the place – and honestly, she kind of did.
Welsummer on the Primary Deck, designed by @caitlincreerinteriors
This beautiful social space was made for the chatty chicken. With its airy seating and soft tones, it invited both conversation and comfort. Long evening of girly goss and snacks on the sofa, pending.
Welsummer on the Balcony, designed by @amberinteriors
The hen who also loves the freedom to explore called dibs on the balcony. Surrounded by leafy greens and open skies, she was in her element. Fresh air and room to roam, just how she likes it.
These hens certainly held their own at the 2025 Whole Home Showcase, but let’s be honest, nothing beats a space designed just for them. With our Eglu coops, every chicken gets their dream home: safe, stylish, and perfectly suited to all personalities.
While out in Austin for House Beautiful’s 2025 Whole Home Showcase, we hosted a chicken keeping workshop for a group of chicken novices. As part of the workshop, we covered all the joys that come with chicken keeping, including the daily fresh eggs. Chef Colter Peck taught the group how to make Japanese style fluffy egg pancakes using fresh eggs from the coop.
Here’s the recipe in case you fancy giving it a go (trust us, you do.)
Japanese Pancake Recipe
For the pancake batter:
30g all-purpose flour
2g baking powder
4g cornstarch
60 grams whole milk
80 grams egg yolks
4g vanilla paste
2g (Pinch) salt
For the meringue
4 large (120 grams) egg whites
40g caster white sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Grease a nonstick pan or electric flat top lightly with melted butter or neutral oil.
Combine all the pancake batter ingredients together in a mixing bowl, then whisk until combined and smooth.
Make the meringue in a medium separate bowl or utilize a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whip the egg whites on medium/high until frothy. Then add in the sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, at least 10 minutes by hand, and about 6 to 8 minutes using a stand mixer.
Add a third of the meringue to the pancake batter and gently fold, using a rubber spatula, until combined. Be careful not to beat the meringue and do not use a whisk for this stage of the process.
Fold in the rest of the meringue into the batter. The final batter should be fluffy, airy, and smooth, but very soft.
Heat the pan to low to medium-low heat. Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. If a piping bag isn’t available, you can use a cookie scoop or large spoon to scoop the batter onto the pan.
Pipe three even pancakes, about 3-inches each in diameter and pipe the batter high but lower than your pan lid. Space them apart as they’ll spread when cooking. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of water onto the pan, surrounding the pancakes to steam. Cover the pan with a high top lid and cook for five to seven minutes. The pancakes are ready to flip when the bottom edges are less glossy and bottoms are slightly browned.
Remove the lid slowly and carefully but quickly flip the pancakes. Using a thin spatula is key! Drizzle the rest of the water around the pancakes and cook for another five to seven minutes until both sides are golden brown.
Remove pancakes from the pan. Plate and drizzle with fresh, local honey, or any toppings you fancy!
Let us know if you give it a go by tagging us in your pictures!
If you’re searching for the perfect gift to make a chicken lover’s Christmas extra special, you’re in the right place. Whether your flock rules the yard or your favorite rooster is the star of the coop, our handpicked selection of chicken gifts is designed to bring joy to every hen and their humans. From clever coop upgrades to playful treats and toys, you’ll find gifts for chicken lovers that add a little extra cheer to every peck and cluck. Make this festive season unforgettable for your chickens with presents for every backyard flock.
Chicken Toys and Enrichment
Poppy and Pendant Peck Toys
Give your flock a festive treat with ourPoppy and Pendant Peck Toys for chickens. Thoughtfully designed to keep your chickens happy, healthy, and entertained all year long. As your hens peck, they’re rewarded with a sprinkle of feed, treats, or grit, turning every peck into a delightful surprise. It’s the perfect way to keep your girls and any roaming rooster busy, especially during winter when the backyard isn’t offering up as many tasty bugs and greens. And from just $18 each, these chicken toys make the perfect stocking filler for flock raisers young and old.
Freestanding Chicken Perch
Bring a touch of whimsy and adventure to your flock’s world with theFreestanding Chicken Perch,This one-of-a-kind perching station transforms your chicken run into a playful haven, inviting your hens to climb, balance, and perch to their hearts’ content. Customize with as many of the sturdy eucalyptus branches as you like at any height or angle to create a playground that’s as unique as your flock. The portable design means you can easily move the perches for a fresh view or a new challenge, keeping your chickens curious and active all year round. Add a dash of authentic farm charm with the optional weathervane topper for the perfect gift for the stylish chicken lover in your life.
Caddi Chicken Treat Holder
Treat your flock to a cleaner, more engaging snack time with theCaddi Chicken Treat Holder. Designed to keep fresh fruits and veggies off the ground, the Caddi not only promotes healthier eating for your hens but also helps maintain a tidier run and reduces unwanted pests. No more wasted treats trampled underfoot—just happy, well-fed chickens enjoying every bite.
The Caddi’s clever swinging design turns snack time into a fun foraging adventure, keeping your flock entertained as they peck and play. With its adjustable nylon string and easy-to-use hook, you can hang the Caddi anywhere in you Walk in Chicken Run. It’s a simple way to add a little extra joy to your hens’ day and a thoughtful Christmas gift for any chicken keeper this festive season.
Chicken Swing
Add a playful twist to your flock’s routine with theChicken Swing, a perch that turns their favorite activity into a swinging adventure. Designed with a textured surface for secure footing, this exciting toy invites chickens of all ages and breeds to hop on and enjoy a gentle sway, all on their own. It’s the perfect way to keep your hens active, curious, and entertained, even when the backyard is quiet.
Easy to hang in any coop or chicken run, the Chicken Swing can be positioned low for younger or more cautious birds, then raised as their confidence grows. It’s a simple, joyful addition that encourages natural movement and brings a little extra fun to your flock’s home.
Chicken Coop Accessories
Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door
Gift peace of mind with theOmlet Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door, a smart, reliable coop door opener that puts 24/7 coop control right in your pocket. With the Omlet app, you can check the status of your chicken coop door, whether you’re at home or away. Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, it’s never been easier to keep your flock safe and sound, even when you’re not around.
The Smart Autodoor is designed to fit seamlessly with theEglu Cube,Eglu Pro, wooden chicken coops and wire runs.Set your hens’ schedule by the clock or program the door to open and close with the sunrise and sunset—no more early mornings or late nights for you! With weatherproof, shatterproof construction and sophisticated sensors that keep dawdling hens safe, this is a gift that brings convenience and reliability to all coops, all year round.
Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Waterer
Keep your flock happily hydrated this winter with the Insulated Chicken Waterer, thoughtfully designed with thick walls to stop water from freezing, even on the chilliest mornings. The clever anti-roost lid and enclosed design keeps your chickens’ water protected from debris and algae so your chickens always have access to fresh, flowing water.
With five founts arranged in an anti-bully 360° layout, every hen gets a fair sip, and the included nipples and cups lets you and your hens choose how they like to drink. New for Christmas 2025, this is the gift every chicken lover hopes to be unwrapping on December 25th.
Smart Chicken Coop Fan
Give your flock the gift of fresh, healthy air with theOmlet Smart Coop Fan. Designed for easy assembly and compatibility with both wooden chicken coops and the Omlet Eglu Pro, this clever fan quietly expels stuffy, humid air from inside the coop to draw in fresh air from outside, helping to regulate temperature and moisture for a healthier home.
With the Omlet app, you can control the Smart Fan remotely, set it to run automatically based on time or temperature, and even see live in-coop readings via Wi-Fi. Choose from three fan speeds, set multiple schedules, and share access with friends or family—all from your phone. It’s a thoughtful, practical addition to any coop for fresher air all year round.
Chicken Coops and Runs
Eglu Pro Chicken Coop for 10 Large Hens
Has “chicken maths” grown your flock? TheEglu Pro chicken coop is designed to make life with up to 10 large chickens a breeze. Perfect for both seasoned keepers and those just starting their chicken journey, this coop is built to last with zero maintenance, all replaceable parts, and a 10-year worry-free warranty.
Cleaning is a cinch with smooth, wipe-clean surfaces and slide-out trays. Safety comes standard too thanks to heavy-duty steel mesh runs with anti-tunnel skirts that keep your flock secure, while adjustable vents and twin-wall insulation ensure year-round comfort. Thoughtful touches like sturdy wheels for easy moving, big doors for quick access, and the innovative LuxPanel for just the right amount of light means this coop ticks every box on any chicken lover’s wishlist. And the best part? Collecting the gift of fresh eggs every day of the year from the nest box.
Walk in Chicken Run
Give your hens room to roam with aWalk In Chicken Run, a spacious, secure haven designed for curious explorers and their devoted keepers. With plenty of room for bug chasing, wing stretching, and feather preening, this run is tall enough for you to step inside and spend time with your girls. Engineered with strong steel mesh, an anti-tunnel skirt, and clever predator-proof locks, the Walk In Run keeps your flock safe while blending beautifully into your backyard with its dark green mesh.
Enrichment is at the heart of every happy flock, and the Walk In Run makes it easy to create a chicken playground with accessories like the PoleTree chicken perch, Peck Toys, Caddi Treat Holders, and the Chicken Swing. Compatible with any coop and endlessly expandable thanks to its modular design, this run grows with your flock (hello, chicken math). Thoughtful features like a stable-style door, easy-access locks, and optional partitions mean you can enjoy every moment with your hens—worry-free.
Omlet and your flock
Thoughtful gifts from Omlet, whether new toys, a coop upgrade, or clever accessories, can make life better for your chickens and bring a smile to any chicken keeper. Happy chickens bring a sense of calm and satisfaction to any yard, and every peck, cluck, and egg is a reminder of the simple pleasures that come from caring for your hens. Giving a gift that enriches their lives is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and deepen your connection with your flock.
We traded in garden wellies for cowboy boots and headed to Austin, Texas for the 8th annual Whole Home Showcase!
Whole Home is a design showcase created by House Beautiful that brings together top designers, architects, and brand partners to build and design a house from the ground up. The goal for 2025 was to reimagine what modern living can look like, blending beautiful design with smart functionality and wellness-focused ideas, and creating spaces that reflect how we truly live.
So what’s this got to do with chickens?
When Whole Home set out to create a showstopping entrance for this tri-level, treehouse-style retreat in leafy Deep Eddy, chickens were top of the wishlist. With backyard flocks firmly in the spotlight, Omlet was invited to reimagine chicken keeping as part of a modern, luxurious lifestyle. The result? A space that proves chickens aren’t just a trend. They’re a design-forward, joy-sparking, self-sufficient way of living that feels right at home in even the most elevated settings.
While out there, we got to know Jon Walker, Hearst Director of Home + Design, “It’s perfect for Austin. It’s perfect for our audience. It’s amazing the number of people that when you mention chicken keeping, they say, oh, you know, “That’s all the rage.” and “My neighbors have chickens” and every single person I’ve spoken to has some sort of similar story. And it really is an incredibly sort of timely thing to incorporate into this project because it’s all about how people are living.” said Jon.
The 3,800-square-foot house featured four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two outdoor decks, and plenty of space to gather with loved ones, all created by a fantastic team of interior designers.
From House to Home – just add chickens
“This showcase is a labor of love,” Jon added, “Omlet is a special partner because they bring something truly unique, something alive!”
At the entrance to this year’s Whole Home Showcase, visitors were greeted by the Eglu Pro chicken coop and its beautiful feathered residents (a mix of white Leghorn, Black Copper Maran, Rhode Island Red, and Welsummer) a touch that immediately brought the house to life.
“It turns the space from a show home into a real home,” Jon noted. “People light up when they see the chickens.”
The Omlet coop itself blended beautifully with the home’s mid-century inspired architecture and treetop concept. The design was both modern and practical, which perfectly aligned with Omlet’s design ethos.
“Just like great architecture, good coop design solves problems with simplicity,” Omlet Co-founder Johannes Paul explained. “We design for both the chicken and the owner.”
Chickens are here to stay
The Whole Home Showcase proved that chickens can be more than a backyard curiosity; they can be part of modern, beautiful living spaces. And for many, this collaboration is an inspiring glimpse of what home really means.
Chickens are more than just the pet that lays breakfast. They’re curious, special and surprisingly intelligent, which is why many keepers wonder: Can I train my chickens? With some patience, consistency, and the right approach, chickens can learn tricks, routines, and even respond to recall just like more traditional household pets.
Can chickens be trained?
Chickens are smart and have excellent memories. They can recognize the faces of humans and fellow flock members, remember locations of food, and even solve simple puzzles. But their training is less about domination and more about communication. Using positive reinforcement, treats, and repetition, chickens quickly learn to associate cues with actions — and thrive on the mental stimulation they provide. Here are some of the things you can teach your chickens.
Come when called (recall)
One of the most practical skills is teaching chickens to come when called. By using a specific sound, like a whistle or a cluck, and rewarding them with treats, your hens will soon flock to you in anticipation of food. This is particularly helpful when needing to call your chickens in from free ranging.
Return to the coop
Chickens can learn routines, like returning to their coop at night. Some of this is a natural instinct to roost, but with tools like an Autodoor and Coop Light, your chickens will quickly learn where their bed is, and when to head there. Training your chickens to roost at specific times will help keep them safe from chicken predators and make evening round ups easier.
Obstacle courses and tricks
Some chickens enjoy obstacle courses or “tricks” for enrichment. Jumping over low barriers, walking through tunnels, or navigating mini agility courses can give chickens vital mental stimulation. You can make your own temporary obstacle courses from boxes or repurposed materials, or use a Freestanding Chicken Perch or Chicken Swing for more durable elements.
Target training
Using a stick pointer, chickens can learn to touch or follow a target. This skill is a foundation for more advanced tricks and can also help with handling and chicken health checks. It’s an impressive feat to show your friends, while serving practical purposes.
How to train your chickens: step-by-step
Step 1: create positive associations
Begin by identifying your chickens’ favorite treats, like mealworms, sunflower seeds, or small pieces of fruit. Use these exclusively during training to make the connection clear. This will make your hen eagerly anticipate training sessions and keep their attention throughout.
Step 2: start small
Focus on one skill at a time. For example, if you’re teaching your chickens to come when called, practice only calling them across a cohort distance at first. Patience is key, and short, frequent sessions work better than long, infrequent ones. Start off with 5-10 minutes of training daily and gradually increase over time.
Step 3: use clear cues
Use the same verbal cue, hand signal, or whistle every time. Consistency helps your chickens understand exactly what you want from them. And, by keeping the same cues, it’s easier to teach the same tricks to multiple flock members.
Step 4: reward immediately
The reward should follow the desired behavior instantly. Chickens are quick learners, but they need to make the connection between action and reward. Positive reinforcement is the fastest way to your hens’ hearts.
Step 5: repeat and expand
Once a chicken has mastered a skill, gradually increase the challenge. Extend recall distances, add mild obstacles, or introduce distractions. Keep sessions fun and positive, and your flock will continue to improve.
The intelligence of chickens
It’s easy to underestimate chickens, but studies have shown they possess cognitive abilities comparable to some mammals. Chickens can:
Recognize over 100 individual faces, both human and avian.
Solve simple puzzles and understand cause-and-effect.
Plan for the future, like hiding food for later consumption.
Learn from observation, taking lessons from each other.
Understanding their intelligence not only makes training possible but also highlights why enrichment is so important. Mental stimulation keeps chickens happy, healthy, and less prone to boredom-related behaviors.
Why training is useful for chicken keepers
Training chickens is beneficial for birds and keepers alike. It keeps your flock safe and engaged while simplifying your routine and creating deeper bonds. Having your chickens come when they’re called, engaging in activities with them, and providing them with enrichment supports healthy, happy flocks (and raisers). With plenty of patience and positive reinforcement, training chickens is not only possible — it’s rewarding.
Omlet and your flock
At Omlet, we believe that enrichment is important, but shouldn’t be complicated. Our chicken products support the natural behaviors of flocks while being mindful of your workload. Our chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken perches are the foundation for setups that work with you and your hens to make every day a rewarding one with your flock.
As the golden days of summer fade into the crisp mornings of fall, chicken keepers prepare for a new set of challenges and rhythms for their flock. Egg laying slows, feathers begin to fall faster than the leaves, and coops need some extra attention before the cold weather of winter sets in. In this autumn chicken keeping guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help your hens stay healthy and happy all season long.
The changes of fall
Fall brings changes — big and small — for chickens and their keepers. From shifts in schedules to health considerations, the cooler weather and shorter days spark significant transitions. Here are the highlights of autumn as a chicken keeper, along with how to support your flock throughout fall.
Molting mindfulness
Most people think of falling leaves being the first sign of autumn. But chicken keepers have a different sign of fall: finding feathers on the ground. This annual phenomenon is a natural process called molting, where chickens shed their dingy, weather-worn feathers and regrow fresh, dense plumage for winter. As hens go through this wardrobe change, they can take on a bedraggled or patchy appearance. Molting takes a lot of energy, and hens will redirect their expenditure from egg laying to feather regrowth, causing a dip or pause in egg production.
The entire process lasts anywhere from 6-14 weeks, depending on individual hens and their overall health. Supporting your chickens through a molt will help them recover faster. Some tips for helping your hens are:
Increase their protein intake during their annual molting cycle by offering a 18-20% protein layer feed, dried mealworms or soldier fly larvae, and alfalfa hay. The increased protein will help support the energy demands of regrowing new feathers.
Avoid overhandling your hens during their molt. Their new feathers (called pin feathers) are sensitive to the touch, and handling them may cause pain or discomfort.
Provide a draft-free chicken coop to keep them warm, and use weather covers for their run to shield them from the elements.
Easing off of eggs
The process of laying an egg starts with light entering a hen’s eye. Since the amount of daylight dwindles during the fall, there’s less light to trigger ovulation (the start of the egg-laying process). The fewer daylight hours combined with the physical strain of molting causes most hens to slow or even stop their egg production for a time. Some hens may return to their normal egg laying schedule once the hardest part of their molt is over, while others may take a sabbatical from egg laying until the spring.
Storing fresh eggs in preparation for this seasonal drop in production will help ensure you have a steady supply of eggs for your family throughout the fall. “Glassing” eggs is a favorite method among chicken keepers. To store eggs long term, place fresh, unwashed eggs in an airtight glass container, fill with water and sprinkle pickling lime. These “glassed” eggs can be kept for up to 18 months at room temperature.
Busting boredom
Flocks thrive on activity and enrichment, and with less time to roam in the daylight, boredom can become an issue. Bored chickens may resort to picking at each other’s feathers or show less-than-desirable behaviors.
Here are some ideas to help keep your hens entertained:
A stimulating environment will help reduce stress and keep your chickens’ minds and bodies active and engaged.
Prepare for predators
Colder months can bring chicken predators closer to coops as their natural food sources dwindle. Foxes, raccoons, rodents, and other opportunistic eaters may test your setup’s defenses. Check for any gaps or weak points in your chicken coop and run, and store feed in airtight containers.
If your chickens free range during the day, keep them close to home with chicken fencing to help deter unwanted attention from predators. Or, even better, keep your flock in a fully enclosed Walk In Chicken Run to surround them in protection.
Weatherproofing
Autumn’s mix of wind, rain, and dropping temperatures makes weatherproofing your setup a must. Weatherproof run covers will shield your flock from moisture, and additional covers on the sides will block gusty winds. Opt for warmer bedding like straw in the coop to provide additional insulation, and make sure the coop is free from drafts.
Omlet and your flock
Fall may bring some challenges to your flock, but it’s also a milder season that brings the opportunity to prepare for the winter months ahead. At Omlet, we’ve designed insulated chicken coops, secure chicken runs, and enriching chicken toys and perches to keep your hens safe and healthy all year round. Don’t settle for unsupportive setups — experience chicken keeping the Omlet way.
Have you ever heard of chicken math? Jennifer from Kittanning was hit before she even knew what was coming. Her journey started with an impulse purchase of six hens, quickly growing to a flock of 18 chickens, two Eglu Cubes and a Walk In Run. We sat down with Jennifer and learned all about how her flock came to be.
Obviously, we’ve come to chat to you about chickens. And you’ve got a couple of Cubes, a Walk In Run, and how many chickens?
We have 18 chickens. I decided to get some because I was buying eggs from people with backyard chickens and loved the fresh taste. We have a camp up north where a lady sells fresh eggs, and I’d also been getting some from a nearby friend. So I thought I’d just have some of my own.
Basically you thought, why not? And obviously you guys have got the space here. You’ve got a lovely amount of land. So, then what happens?
I tried to convince my husband to let us get chickens. I kept asking, and usually, if I want something, I can get it. So we started looking into different coop options. We considered modifying a shed like a friend did, but it would’ve been a lot of work – and we weren’t up for that.
This was all around November 2022, and who gets chickens in November? Nobody. But I started looking anyway. There was a local poultry farm that I called to see if they had any chickens, and they did – but they said if I wanted them I’d have to get them right now. I was working from home, and Matt was out at work. I looked at my calendar and thought, okay… and went and got six chickens.
But wait, you hadn’t even got a coop yet, right?
Right! So I brought the chickens home in a big dog cage, finished my work day, and waited for Matt to get back. When he arrived, I told him, “There may, or may not, be chickens in the car.” His reaction was, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” We moved them into the garage using a larger dog crate and realized we really needed to figure out our setup.
Then I remembered the people from Rent The Chicken recommended checking their website. Rent The Chicken is a local business where you can rent chickens and a coop for the nicer seasons, then return them. It’s really cool. Their website featured Omlet, which caught our interest. It was plastic, easy to clean, and simple to assemble. We thought it was the perfect solution, so we bought the Eglu Cube with a 9-foot run.
I think people get it with the Omlet design, you know? They look at it and go okay, I can slide that out, I can hose that down – I can figure that out.
Exactly, the ability to hose it down was a huge plus for me. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so I loved that we could take it apart and pressure wash it without worrying about bugs burrowing in, like with wood. Plus, the chicken coops at Tractor Supply seemed quite chintzy.
Anyway, I brought home six chickens on Wednesday, and on Friday when Matt got home, he said, “Oh, I see they’ve multiplied.” I had gone back that day and got four more.
I’m always hearing about chicken math, but I’ve never heard of a case where it hits so fast. So, you started with the one cube and 9ft run, how did you go from 10 to 18 chickens, two cubes and an extended Walk In Run?
The 9ft run was great, but it was short. We had a hard time getting in and out. So I said, that’s it, we need a Walk In Run – that’s what we bought next. It was a game changer. Then in the spring, I put my name in again to get more chickens.
This was following the COVID pandemic when there was an egg shortage and a big interest in keeping chickens. It became really hard to get chickens or chicks, so I signed up early, expecting to receive them by the next fall. But the chicken craze eventually waned, meaning fewer people took chickens than anticipated. I ended up getting eight more in May, along with another Eglu Cube.
So, what breeds of chicken do you have in your flock of 18?
They call them Red Sexlinks, they’re the high-production layers of brown eggs. And then I have blue eggers which are a Legbar/Leghorn mix, and they lay lovely light blue eggs. We usually get 15 or 16 a day now, and that’s them in their second year. We use them to make egg salad, scrambled eggs, deviled eggs. And when the family comes over, they go home with eggs, and I have a few friends who buy them from me to help out with the cost of feed.
How do you find the interactions with them as animals and as pets?
As soon as I come out the door in the morning, they know I’m going to give them a treat, so they all crowd to the edge waiting for it. It’s funny because if you’re walking by the coop, they’ll all move along with you. And when we’re mowing the lawn, they even follow the tractor! And now, they follow anyone who steps outside, thinking they’re going to get a treat.
You mentioned earlier that you have a high standard of cleanliness. How has cleaning out the coop changed since starting your chicken keeping journey?
I am getting away with less than I did at the beginning. Everyday I would go out and wipe the inside of the coop with wipes. It was obsessive, it was too much. We had to come to terms with what chickens are… messy. But I didn’t know about chickens, and I didn’t know how messy they were – now I do, and I’m okay with it. Once a month, or once every two months, cleaning out the inside of the coop is okay, but Matt wasn’t on board to do it every week – or every day.
I can see, actually, right now, they’re all up on the chicken perch. They look really happy up there, having a little preen. Do they do that quite a lot?
Yeah, they love those roosting bars. Actually, in the winter we were having trouble with them going into the coop when it was getting cold. The guy from Rent The Chicken had actually suggested taking the roosting bars down.
Because you couldn’t get them in the coop? Because they were too happy on their bars?
Yes. But we didn’t want to do that because they got on them during the day – so we decided to try to retrain them to go inside, and he thought that wouldn’t work but it did!
Most of them would go in at night, and then the ones that didn’t – before we went to bed we would go out and pick them up, put them in the coop and shut them in there. And then in the morning the door would open and they’d come out. Eventually it got less and less, and then finally they were all going in.
Something we hear a lot is that people start reading about chickens and end up learning all kinds of things they didn’t know. Could you just go out and get chickens? Or is it more learn as you go?
Definitely learn as you go. To be honest, I probably read more than you’d need to about chicken keeping before I started. It’s very interesting to learn about, but if you only had a couple of chickens, it wouldn’t be much work at all. They’re quite low maintenance generally. And the Eglu is made to move around if you want to use it as a chicken tractor.
You’ve done a lovely job with your garden – and it all kind of goes together: gardening, chicken keeping, cooking, living off the land. Is that kind of sustainable living important to you?
It was really the eggs. A couple of my friends have the fancier chicken breeds purely for the quality, type or amount of eggs they lay. My friend who has 30 chickens actually buys eggs from me. I’m like ‘What are they doing with their eggs?’ and they say ‘Well, we only get one a week’ – she has all different kinds, but you know, maybe they’re not bred for egg production. Mine are layers.
Have you had much trouble with predators, despite the bears?
We haven’t really had any. I’d say foxes, coyotes, opossums, and snakes are the biggest threat.
Snakes would probably get the eggs, if they could.
But they wouldn’t be able to get into the Eglu.
I don’t think they’d get into yours. Yours is like Fort Knox.
I did catch an opossum on my camera. It wasn’t trying to get into the coop – it was just walking along the run. We have raccoons and hawks too. I guess I never worried about hawks, eagles and aerial predators because the run is always covered – and my chickens don’t free range. Our set up is decently close to my house – we see it every day, so we can watch out for predators. And I go out there every day so I can check on them.
I think I own everything you make for chicken keeping, other than the Eglu Pro. I bought my set up just before it was released, but I would have definitely bought the Pro had I known. The people who say you can only have four chickens in a Cube – the chickens will stuff themselves in there, and they’re fine. They like snuggling in there at night.
Keeping a flock of chickens can be a leisurely pastime, with the potential for just enough challenge to keep things interesting. What starts as a handful of hens quickly becomes a growing fascination, and before long you’ll be wondering when it’s time to welcome a few more feathered friends. Knowing the top tips for expanding your flock will help you do it successfully. Here’s how to keep your current hens happy while making the newcomers feel at home.
Step 1: assess your current setup
Before you bring home more chickens, you’ll need to evaluate your existing space and setup. Overcrowding is one of the quickest ways to stress a flock, causing aggression, feather pecking, and poor egg production.
Here are some things to consider:
Space requirements — More space is always better, especially for larger or more active breeds. Make sure your coop can accommodate more chickens based on its rating. Omlet chicken coops come in 3 sizes to accommodate a variety of flocks.
Nesting boxes — As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to provide 1 nesting box for every 3-4 hens. If your current setup won’t support new flock members, you’ll need to add more before expanding.
Perching and enrichment — Variety is the spice of life for chickens. Make sure you have plenty of perches at various heights, chicken dust baths, and enough chicken feeders and waterers to avoid competition.
If your setup is already at capacity for your flock, upgrading to a larger coop or extending your chicken run will make expansion much easier.
Is there room for more personality?
Physical space isn’t the only consideration. Chickens, like other pets, have their own set of temperaments. Some hens are calm and cohesive, while others thrive on drama. Consider how your current group interacts before adding new personalities into the mix.
Safe introductions: understanding the pecking order
Chickens live by a social hierarchy known as the pecking order. Every hen knows their place, and new arrivals inevitably (but temporarily) disrupt that balance. It’s natural for existing flock members to peck at newcomers to establish dominance, but your aim is to keep it fair, not fierce.
The gradual introduction method
The best way to integrate hens is slowly. Patience is key, and full, successful integration can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the temperaments at play. Here are steps to gradually introduce new flock members:
Separate but visible. Keep new chickens in their own secure space, ideally in a secondary coop and run, where they can see but not touch the established flock.
Supervised mingling. After 1-2 weeks of adjacent accommodations, let the groups meet under supervision in a neutral space. Short sessions are key to prevent tension.
Monitored behavior. Once you’ve fully integrated the two groups, you can expect some pecking and posturing. Step in if you see persistent bullying, excessive feather pulling, or injury.
Always complete a period of quarantine for new flock members far away from your existing chickens before introductions are made. Ideally, keep new flock members isolated for 2-4 weeks to rule out infectious diseases before beginning the gradual introduction method.
Squabbles are very normal in a healthy pecking order, but some signs that flock negotiations are taking an aggressive turn include drawing blood, isolation of a particular hen, or relentless harassment. Normal ways of settling disagreements or re-establishing the pecking order are displayed through a few well aimed pecks, some squawking, or mild chasing.
Choosing breeds to complement your current flock
When adding new hens, it helps to think about your long-term goals. Are you wanting more eggs, more diverse colored hens in your backyard, or hens with particular traits? There’s a breed for every flock:
For egg production, choose reliable layers like Sussex or Australorps.
Silkies and Polish bring quirky charm to your flock, while breeds like Orpingtons tend to be more personable with their humans.
If you’re after a more diverse egg basket, choose Easter Eggers or Ameraucanas for brilliant shades of blue and green eggs.
Some other considerations when choosing your breeds should include your climate, the temperament of your current flock, and the size of the birds themselves. Always choose breeds based on your local weather conditions, and avoid mixing aggressive hens with those that are more docile. And while bantams can live alongside full-sized hens, they may be more vulnerable to bullying.
Expand with ease
Having a secondary setup makes a big difference when expanding your flock. It allows you to quarantine new hens during their first few weeks at home, and provides a safe home during the gradual introduction process. Omlet’s Eglu Go or Eglu Go Up make excellent secondary coops due to their size and maneuverability. Or, if you’re needing to add permanent space, investing in an Eglu Cube or Eglu Pro will give your flock plenty of room to grow.
Once you have your hen’s housing, you’ll need to consider their outdoor space. Omlet’s Walk In Runs are designed to adapt along with your flock. With modular panels, you can extend the run as often as needed. Fully enclosed and predator-resistant, you’ll have the peace of mind both you and your flock crave.
Don’t forget to factor accessories into your expansion plans. Keep your flock occupied with a customizable PoleTree or Freestanding Chicken Perch, or let them play with their food with Peck Toys or a Caddi Treat Holder. The more mental and physical enrichment you offer, the less likely boredom and bullying will rear their ugly heads.
Omlet and your flock
Adding new chickens is always exciting, but it’s also a process that requires planning and patience. With Omlet, you can expand with confidence knowing that you’ve equipped yourself with a setup that can withstand the test of time and growing pains. Our chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken perches and toys let your flock grow happily in their bonds with each other and with you. Let the next step of your chicken-keeping journey be a joyful one with Omlet.
One of the biggest responsibilities (and challenges) of keeping chickens is knowing how to keep your flock safe from predators. No matter where in the world you live, be it urban or rural, chicken predators are never far away. Here’s how to understand the risks, prepare your setup, and stay proactive.
Know your enemy
Every region has its own chicken predators, but here are the most common types:
Coyotes and foxes — Smart, adaptable hunters that are crafty and cunning, able to dig, climb, and leap with ease.
Raccoons — Notorious for nimble paws that manipulate latches and for reaching through mesh runs.
Hawks, eagles, and owls — Aerial threats that target free-ranging flocks.
Snakes and weasels — Slender enough to squeeze through small gaps in runs or coops.
Neighborhood or family dogs and cats — One of the most overlooked threats, but often the most present.
No matter which chicken predators are prevalent in your area, the goal remains the same: to outsmart and make preparations against your flock’s foes.
Fortifying your flock against predators
Even though predators pose a significant threat to chickens, hope is not lost. There are several ways you can help protect your hens against predators. With the right setup, you and your flock will be able to sleep easy each night.
Capable coops
Predators typically attack at night, which is why your chicken coop is your flock’s fortress. Choosing a chicken coop with predator-resistant features makes all the difference in the fight against foes. Eglu Chicken Coops are constructed of rugged plastic, capable of withstanding bears to weasels, and every predator in between. And, the special locking mechanisms prevent raccoons from unlatching the doors.
Consider adding an Autodoor for an extra layer of security. Not only will your birds be put to bed on a schedule of your choosing, but the horizontal opening mechanism prevents paws from prying the door up and open. Set the Autodoor to open after dawn and close at dusk to prevent prime predator times, or manually open and close it. The Autodoor can be added to any existing setup, which helps turn Eglus and wooden coops into even more secure spaces.
Reinforced runs
Your flock’s outdoor space should also be protected from predators. The main threats to your hens during their active hours are from birds of prey (hawks, eagles, etc.) and from cats and dogs; though desperation in other species of predators may drive them out during the day. Because of this, your chicken run should be strong, have a top, and include measures to prevent digging.
Omlet’s fully enclosed Walk In Chicken Run is made from strong wire weld panels, and the anti-tunnel skirting around the perimeter deters digging to keep persistent predators out. Add a chicken run cover to keep the weather out, and to avoid attracting attention from aerial visitors. And while wild birds and migrating water fowl aren’t predators, they do have the potential to carry avian influenza to your flock. A run cover will keep your chickens safe from their droppings, offering additional protection for your flock.
The free-ranging philosophy
Free-ranging your flock always carries risks, and it’s always safest to keep them in a fully enclosed run. But if you do choose to let your flock out of their run, make sure it’s during broad daylight hours to avoid the most active periods for predators. Keep them in designated areas with chicken fencing so they stay closer to home — and safety.
Some chicken keepers find additional elements that help keep their free-ranging flocks safer. From repurposed inflatable props to motion activated sprinklers, you can get creative with how to scare off predators. Install security cameras in or around your setup to keep tabs on what may be visiting at night, and set up lights around the coop and run to help deter unwanted guests.
Check in regularly
Even the strongest setups need to be evaluated routinely. Weather, shifting soil, and the determination of predators can affect its integrity. Here’s a checklist for checking in on your chickens’ area:
Inspect the coop and run daily, looking for gaps, loose panels, or signs of digging or clawing.
Check all latches to make sure they’re secure and working smoothly.
Reinforce weak points and patch holes immediately.
Walk the entire perimeter after high winds, heavy rain, or snow to check for shifting.
Predators are opportunistic eaters, and if there’s a weakness, they’ll find it. Remove any leftover feed at the end of the day to prevent luring in rodents that will in turn draw predators in.
Omlet and your flock
Predator protection doesn’t need to be complicated. By starting with the right setup, you’ll set you and your flock up for stress-less success. Our chicken coops have a rugged design that withstand predator attempts, and our walk in chicken runs feature heavy-duty mesh and anti-dig skirting to keep predators in their place. With Omlet’s chicken products, predators that visit your setup will come hungry — and leave hungry.
Is it easy to keep chickens? The short answer is yes, especially when you have the right setup and a little bit of know-how. Whether you’re dreaming of a pair of hens for your yard or a bustling flock that forages your property, keeping chickens can be as simple as you make it. And the best part? It’s enjoyable no matter the size of your flock. With a little preparation, the right accommodations, and a routine you’ll soon know by heart, you can enjoy all the benefits of owning chickens without it feeling like a chore.
Chicken keeping basics
At its core, chicken keeping comes down to providing your flock with these three essentials: a safe, clean home, fresh food and water, and space to roam. Hens are surprisingly low-maintenance once you have these covered, and they’ll be happy to reward your efforts with fresh eggs as well as companionship.
Chickens are very social and thrive in flocks, and you should aim to keep at least 2-3 hens at minimum to keep each other company. They’ll spend their days foraging, dust-bathing, and chatting amongst themselves. And while you’re a welcome addition to these social activities, your main role will be to make sure they have what they need to stay healthy and happy.
Finding your flock size
Before you welcome your chickens home, consider the space you have available and how many hens you’d like to keep. You’ll also need to check with your home owners association (HOA) or city office to make sure you’re allowed to keep chickens where you live. Chicken keeping laws can vary by area, but most will restrict how many chickens you can keep at a time, prohibit roosters, and dictate where your coop is placed on your property.
One of the joys of chicken keeping is that there’s a perfect flock size for every family — and there’s an Eglu Chicken Coop to match. All of our coops are made of heavy duty, easy to clean plastic, and utilize the power of twin-wall insulation to keep your chickens comfortable all year round.
2-3 hens: A great starter flock for beginners or those with a smaller space. With an Eglu Go or Eglu Go Up, your flock will have a smaller footprint in your yard.
4-6 hens: Ideal for families or those seeking a steady egg supply. The Eglu Cube offers plenty of space and enhanced predator-resistant features packed into its ingenious design.
7-10 hens: For those ready to fully embrace the modern homestead life, the Eglu Pro gives larger flocks room to roost and boasts 3 nesting boxes to keep up with higher egg production.
However big your flock may be, you can be sure that you have a lot more to look forward to than just the prospect of fresh eggs. Each hen has their own unique personality, from the bold adventurer to the gentle lap-chicken, and you’ll soon find yourself loving and appreciating them far beyond their ability to provide breakfast.
Chicken keeping chores
Keeping chickens doesn’t have to be time consuming when you have a good routine. There are tasks you’ll need to tackle on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, but once you find your rhythm (and have an easy-clean coop), the time will fly.
Pro tip: add a Smart Autodoor to your coop or run to automatically lock your flock in at night and let them out in the morning for an even more simplified schedule. Our Smart Autodoor can open and close with the sun or the clock, and can be controlled via the Omlet app from anywhere in the world so you can stay connected to your flock no matter where you are.
Weekly
Change their bedding in the roosting area and nesting box
Spot-clean the coop as needed
Wipe out feeders and waterers
Tidy up the run
Monthly
Deep clean the coop with a pressure washer or water hose and scrub brush
Replace all bedding
Inspect the run and coop and adjust run covers or attachment points if needed (especially after severe weather)
Omlet chicken coops make these tasks quick and easy thanks to the spray-clean design, pull-out bedding trays, and modular run designs.
Chicken math: what’s the problem?
If you’ve done any amount of research on chickens, you’ve likely come across the term “chicken math.” This is the “mysterious”, and usually inevitable, process by which you start with three hens and end up with six, then eight, and so on.
The good news is that Omlet has the solution to chicken math. Expanding your flock doesn’t have to be a complex algebraic equation. Our modular designs make it easy to grow your setup along with your flock. Here are some of the ways we’ve solved the problem of chicken math:
Easily extendable attached chicken runs through expansion kits for each type of coop
Chicken fencing to provide free-ranging space while keeping your flock close to home
So, when chicken math strikes, you’ll be ready to say “yes” to new hens without worrying about where you’ll put them.
The benefits of keeping chickens
While fresh eggs are certainly a highlight, chicken keeping offers much more than this superfood. Chicken keepers of all ages and stages can attest to the many perks of keeping chickens. From the mental health benefits of keeping chickens to natural pest control, flocks bring a lot to your backyard.
A calming routine
Caring for your chickens creates a routine for you and your family, and gets you outside. Their gentle, calming presence is soothing, and the entire process of caring for your flock is grounding and peaceful.
Natural pest control
Hens will happily chase down and gobble up garden pests. From grasshoppers and slugs to spiders and scorpions, your chickens are one of nature’s best bug eradicators. And, many plants are palatable to chickens, so they’ll take care of wayward weeds.
Sustainable living
Turn your kitchen scraps into chicken treats, and provide your family with fresh eggs on a daily basis. Save chicken-safe leftovers and fruit and vegetable trimmings for your flock, and offer them in a Caddi Chicken Treat Holder to minimize waste.
Entertainment
Watching your flock scratch, preen, and dust-bathe is endlessly amusing. You’ll also be able to observe the behavior of chickens and have a front-row seat to their individual antics. Be on the lookout for flock-raiser favorites like hens sprinting after and circling flying prey, the luxurious flop and stretch in the sun, and the dainty beak-rub through the grass — the equivalent of dabbing their mouth with a napkin after a snack or drink.
Connection with nature
Raising chickens and living simply is one of the easiest ways to connect with nature. You’ll find that your flock has a way of making you slow down and appreciate the seasons, and even individual days and hours. Stop and smell the roses, but also stop and stare at the chickens.
Omlet and your flock
So is it easy to keep chickens? We’ve spent decades of research and design to make it as simple and rewarding as possible. Chicken keepers all over the world trust Omlet with the safety and comfort of their flock and to lighten their chore load. From chicken coops that are engineered to last a lifetime to customizable chicken runs and automatic chicken coop doors, we’ve created everything you need for a lifetime of luxury — for you and your flock.
When it comes to chicken health, understanding flock immunity and gut health is essential for raising resilient backyard birds. Just like us, chickens benefit from a healthy digestive system and strong immune function. And, like humans, the two are connected. Whether you’re a seasoned flock raiser or looking to level up your chicken care, we’ll walk you through how to keep your hens healthy naturally by improving their gut health, immunity, and overall well-being.
Supporting a resilient flock
Learning the key factors that contribute to optimal chicken health is the foundation for overall flock fortitude. Chicken keepers have the ability to influence their hens’ health in a number of ways, starting with understanding what flock immunity really means, and how to encourage it naturally.
What is flock immunity?
Flock immunity refers to your chickens’ collective ability to resist and recover from disease. It isn’t about a single hen’s strength, it’s about the overall robustness of the group. Each chicken’s immune system contributes to the vitality of the whole flock. A stressed or undernourished hen can become a weak link, making the entire group more vulnerable to illness.
Here are key points to understand about flock immunity:
It’s dependent upon the health of each individual chicken.
Stress, poor nutrition, overcrowding, or parasites can suppress immunity.
Creating an environment that supports strong birds benefits the entire flock.
Housing your flock in an easy-to-clean, predator-resistent coop – like our line of Eglu Chicken Coops – is the first and most important step toward boosting flock immunity. Your chicken coop should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis, and built from materials that prevent parasites from taking up residence and insulated against the elements. Giving your hens a supportive home is one of the simplest ways to give them a leg up for the rest of their lives.
The role of gut health in your hens
Did you know that 70-80% of a chicken’s immune system function is housed in its digestive tract? That’s why chicken gut health is so crucial. A balanced microbiome supports:
Nutrient absorption
Resistance to pathogens
Regulation of inflammation
Overall energy and growth
Poor gut health can lead to lethargy, poor feather condition, messy droppings, and increased susceptibility to parasites and illness.
How to support good gut health
Improving chicken gut health starts with their daily care. Here’s how to keep your chickens healthy naturally.
High-quality diet
Feed a nutritionally complete layer feed consisting of 16-18% protein to support their energy requirements. Supplement with fresh greens and grass and scratch grains (in moderation). Chicken-friendly herbs like oregano can also be offered in with their feed for a nutritional boost. Fermenting your flock’s feed can also boost its probiotic content to help balance their gut biome.
Clean water
Fresh, clean water available at all times is vital to your hens’ health. Mix in electrolytes during the hot summer months to give them extra support, and add apple cider vinegar to their water during their annual chicken molt in the fall to promote healthy feather regrowth.
Grit and forage
Allowing chickens to free-range when possible will help them both physically and mentally. Chickens are natural foragers and will find what their bodies are craving to balance their digestion. Use chicken fencing to create safe foraging spaces, or a mobile chicken coop to give them access to fresh offerings. Free-ranging hens will ingest the grit they need for digestion, but supplemental grit should be supplied to chicks or adult chickens that don’t have access to dirt.
Treats and enrichment
Playing with your food is encouraged when you’re a chicken. A Caddi Chicken Treat Holder stocked with fresh greens encourages foraging behaviors while rewarding them with an immune system-supporting snack. Place scratch grains in a peck toy to reduce waste and to put your chickens’ critical thinking skills to good use.
Protecting your flock from illness
Preventative care plays a big role in flock immunity. These basic steps will help boost your birds’ natural ability to fend off illness, and help maintain a supportive environment:
Clean your chicken coop regularly to prevent bacteria from building up.
Quarantine any new flock members before introductions are made.
Avoid overcrowding, which causes stress and increases the spread of illness.
Give your hens a chicken health check on a routine basis to help you spot and head off any potential problems.
What to do when flock immunity is compromised
Even under the best conditions, sometimes issues can arise. Common times for your flock’s immunity to be put to the test are during their annual molt, when new flock members are introduced, during extreme weather, or if parasites are present. Be on the lookout for these signs of illness or stress within your flock:
Diarrhea or repeat occurrences of unusual droppings
If you suspect illness, isolate the affected bird in a clean space away from the rest of the flock. Support with electrolytes and probiotics, and contact your veterinarian for next steps.
Omlet and your flock
Creating a thriving, resilient flock starts with understanding the link between chicken health, immunity, and gut wellness. When your chickens feel good inside, they thrive on the outside in the form of better egg production, more foraging, and showing off their quirky personalities we know and love. At Omlet, we’ve designed our chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken perches and toys to support your birds’ natural behaviors and overall health. Whether you’re fine-tuning your flock’s diet or creating the perfect chicken play space, we have everything you need to keep your chickens naturally healthy.
If you’ve been a chicken keeper for a while, you’re no stranger to their fascinating behaviors. But there’s more to reading and influencing flock behavior than meets the eye. Quirky personalities, squabbles at the feeder, or sudden shifts in flock dynamics are some observable chicken behaviors that are full of nuances for flock raisers to dive into. Here’s a deeper look at understanding chickens on a more advanced level — from reading subtle shifts in the pecking order in chickens to interpreting vocalizations and even mapping out your flock’s social structure.
Reading Flock Behavior: What Your Chickens Are Telling You
The better you become at reading chicken body language, the quicker you can pinpoint emerging problems, prevent bullying, and support a balanced pecking order. Think you’re already fluent in flock language? See if you recognize these expressions of chicken behavior.
Shifts to the pecking order
Every healthy flock has a hierarchy, and it’s not always fixed. While the pecking order in chickens should be stable, illness, stress, aging flock members, or the introduction of new birds can shake things up. If you have a rooster in your flock, they will more than likely take charge. But a flock full of hens will have one dominant hen take up the mantle of top-bird. Throughout this hen’s term at the top, other hens will vie for top position. Here’s what a healthy challenge to the hierarchy may look like:
Hens briefly sparring with their hackles raised (similar to roosters).
Chasing or pecking each other around the roosting or feeding areas.
Increased vocalizations among 2-3 hens during any social activity like feeding, dust bathing, or drinking.
While brief upsets to the pecking order are normal and expected, there are some potential red flags to look out for:
If a typically dominant hen starts isolating themselves or sleeping away from the rest of the flock, it may be due to illness or injury.
Bullying away from food at every feeding time is not normal chicken behavior, and can quickly lead to lower-ranking hens not eating.
Drawing blood, excessive feather pulling, or other injuries are more than simple pecking order disagreements.
Hens displaying this level of aggression should be separated from the flock for a time, and reintegrated slowly back into the flock once the pecking order has stabilized. In rare cases, aggressive hens may need to be rehomed to a flock with a more dominant hen.
What’s behind body language?
Chickens are constantly communicating with their bodies. Even subtle shifts in posture can reveal everything from mood shifts to health concerns. The “basics” of chicken body language still takes a practiced eye to understand, but with practice you’ll be able to recognize these in your chickens:
Tail down: Often indicative of discomfort, illness, or egg-binding.
Puffed-up feathers: In the absence of cold weather, this can be caused by stress, broodiness, or illness.
Head tucked or hiding in corners: Fear or submission, usually when the pecking order is being reorganized.
Wings slightly extended with a tense body: On alert or preparing to assert dominance. In hot weather it can also be a sign of heat stress in chickens, especially when accompanied by panting.
Vocalizations: becoming fluent in fowl
Most people think of roosters as being vocal, but as seasoned chicken keepers know, hens can be surprisingly forthcoming with audible communication. Each sound serves a specific purpose, and it takes time to familiarize yourself with them. Listen to your flock daily to become fluent in fowl language, like:
Soft clucks: Express contentment, especially when foraging.
Loud squawks: Distress or protest, often heard when a preferred nesting box is occupied.
Growls or low rumbling: Warning others to back off, emitted by broody hens.
The “egg song”: Often thought of as a celebratory call when an egg is laid, more recent research suggests that it’s an effort to lure predators away from the nest.
High-pitched alert calls: Usually sounding like short blasts of “boks” and squawking, hens are alerting the rest of the flock to potential danger like a hawk circling or a snake approaching.
Understanding these calls (especially the alert calls) will help you react faster to threats, stress, or discomfort.
Feeding patterns and social pressure
Like cliques in a high school cafeteria, hens have their way of deciding who eats when and where. But if you see a lower ranking hen in the hierarchy being pushed away from food consistently, it’s extended beyond normal eating behavior and entered into the realm of bullying. Observing mealtimes with your chickens can be incredibly revealing for finding out where each hen currently ranks in the pecking order.
Watch for hens that each first: these will be your highest ranking hens. The hen head of the pecking order should also hang back after eating their fill to ensure that all lower ranking hens are able to eat. This will allow you to see your highest and lowest ranking hens in a matter of minutes, and will ensure that the pecking order is maintaining a healthy balance.
Broody behavior
Even beginners can recognize broody behavior from hens. This not-so-subtle display of hormonal activity entails:
Growling
Puffing up feathers
Pecking or biting when the nest is approached
Refusal to leave the nest
While broodiness is helpful in hatching eggs, a flock without a rooster doesn’t benefit from a broody hen. In fact, a hen that’s gone broody can have a ripple effect throughout the flock and cause a decrease in egg production or avoidance of the nesting area. Breaking a broody hen is advised when eggs aren’t fertile — especially in the hotter months, as a broody hen rarely leaves the nest to eat or drink.
Influencing flock behavior: strike a balance between environment and enrichment
Bored chickens fill their time with trouble. A lack of stimulation leads to feather picking, pecking order aggression, or listlessness. Try these ideas to add enrichment to your flock and see how they thrive with entertaining elements.
Create forage piles with leaves or hay and scatter scratch grains throughout to encourage natural foraging behaviors.
Even a simple change like moving perches around or adding herbs to their existing chicken dust bath can reset social tensions.
Training chickens with treats
Have you tried training your chickens? They’re smart and intuitive animals that respond to training — if you’re speaking their language. And when it comes to chickens, food talks.
Encourage shy hens to socialize with you by offering them treats by hand. Train outgoing hens to hop into your lap by enticing them with dried mealworms or fresh kitchen scraps. You can also use positive reinforcement to help balance the pecking order by breaking up aggressive posturing between hens with a tasty treat, or rewarding them for coming when you call.
Smart coop design promotes social harmony
The layout of your chicken coop and run can greatly affect social behavior. Use strategic design to prevent stress and encourage peace among your flock. Place your coop in a quiet, shaded area to promote good roosting and egg-laying habits, and provide enough chicken feeders and waterers so that there’s plenty to go around.
Provide chicken run weather covers to keep your flock dry and shaded, and use chicken fencing to give them extra foraging space outside of their setup. And, if your space allows, opt for a mobile chicken coop to move your flock to new grass every few days to keep their enclosure and environment fresh.
Bonus tip for advanced keepers: map your flock
If you want to take your chicken keeping to the next level, try flock sisal mapping. This method of visually charting your chickens’ behavior will help you better understand their dynamics.
How to map chicken behavior:
Observe and take notes
Watch how your chickens interact with each other over several days. Note who eats first, who gets pecked at the most, who roosts where, and how conflicts get resolved.
Draw your flock
Don’t worry, no art degree necessary. Use circles for each hen tally marks or other indicators of who pecks who and the hens that submit. Get as creative as you’d like: create a flow chart, a graph, or if you happen to have a degree in art, make detailed sketches of each hen.
Track over time
Update your data weekly, and keep up with it for several months. You’ll start seeing patterns emerge from seasonal shifts, illness related changes, or the impact of adding new hens.
Apply what you learn
Use the map to rearrange perches, feeding areas, or other elements according to the pecking order, and plan introductions to new flock members strategically.
This method deepens your understanding of chickens as individual members of the flock and as a social group.
Omlet and your flock
At Omlet, we believe the more you understand your flock, the more joy and success you’ll have as their keeper. Whether you’re rethinking your chicken run or chicken coop, or looking for chicken toys or perches to add to your setup, we’ve got the chicken products that will bring you closer to your flock than ever before.
Summer break is finally here, and what better way to spend the season than with screen-free, family fun? Now that school’s out, fun for kids and chickens is never in short supply. Find out how chickens can help teach your children important life skills and lessons, even while formal academics are on hold.
Children and chickens
Chickens can teach children responsibility, provide entertainment, and offer companionship. From cleaning the chicken coop and collecting eggs to engaging in fun activities with the flock, kids can benefit from even just a small group of backyard hens. Here are some screen-free, wholesome summer fun for your children to enjoy.
Chicken chores
Chickens are relatively easy to care for, which make them great pets for children of all ages. School-aged children especially can benefit from caring for chickens over the summer, as they can be responsible for more of their care. Letting your child help feed the flock, collect eggs, and clean the coop can teach valuable life lessons.
Have younger children help you clean the chicken coop, or turn over this task to older children (a pressure washer or garden hose can make this prospect even more exciting)
Let your child help feed, water, and offer treats to the flock
Plant chicken-safe plants and herbs around the run together to provide treats and enrichment for your hens
Have your children help you make a chicken dust bath with seasonal ingredients like dried herbs or flowers
Make homemade chicken treats — like fresh fruit and veggie ice molds — together and let your children hang them in the run
If you have a mobile chicken coop, let older children help move your flock to fresh grass
You should remain the primary caretaker for your flock, but turning over some flock responsibilities to your children will get them outside, teach them the value of a job well done, and enable them to experience the joy of bonding with animals.
Poultry play dates
Caring for chickens is far from “all work and no play.” There are several activities that your chickens and children can enjoy together. And, since chickens reside outdoors, this is a perfect opportunity to get your kids out of the house and into the sunshine and fresh air of summer.
If your children haven’t been as involved in caring for chickens throughout the year, start introducing them to your flock as another caretaker by having them offer their scratch grains or treats for a few days. Before long, your flock will come running at the sight or sound of your child’s voice — which is the start of a long and happy friendship.
Have your kids hide or toss some scratch into piles of hay or grass clippings for the flock to scratch through for a flock-friendly scavenger hunt, or encourage your children to spend time reading to your hens to get them used to their voice. Teach your children how to properly hold hens, and let older children help you perform chicken health checks.
Egg enrichment
Eggs are a nutritious, versatile superfood that your children can have fun collecting and transforming into tasty summertime treats. From homemade ice cream and cookies to hearty breakfasts, eggs help fuel the fun of summer.
Have younger children help you crack eggs into recipes, or teach older children how to cook or bake with eggs. Find new recipes that require eggs, or practice new ways to prepare them on their own like soft boiled or poached eggs. And to help your kids’ math skills stay sharp, have younger children measure ingredients and older children convert for doubling or halving recipes, or for different units of measurement and temperature.
Chicken crafts
Like summer camp, but in your own backyard — crafts are a favorite pastime of the season. But have you thought up ways for your chickens to be the “backyard camp counselors”? Here are a few ideas to get started:
Have your child personalize their own egg basket to use
Help younger children make name plates or signs for each hen, or have older children design their own to be displayed on the chicken run or fencing
Create daily egg containers to sort eggs throughout the week
Make crafts with feathers from the flock
String chicken-safe treats like popcorn or fruits and veggies to make a garland to hang in the run
Summer school: chicken edition
Chickens provide so many learning opportunities that extend far beyond the coop. For some extra education this summer, teach your children about the fascinating habits, instincts, and biology of chickens:
Crack a fresh egg and identify the different parts. For older children, teach them the process of chickens laying eggs, and how they develop if they’re fertilized.
Talk about the different breeds of chickens in your flock — with bonus points for identifying their colors and patterns.
If you have a rooster, consider incubating eggs and discuss their development along the way.
Discuss the anatomy of chickens, why and when chickens molt, and their history of domestication.
Observe the natural rhythms and behaviors of hens — what time of the day they lay their eggs, eat, and head to the roost.
These lessons are much more rewarding when witnessed in person, and when you have a backyard flock, the opportunities are endless.
Omlet and your flock
We specialize in chicken products that bring flocks and their families closer together. From easy to clean chicken coops and spacious walk in chicken runs, to chicken peck toys and perches, your children can be delighted this summer — and all year round — by your backyard flock. See why thousands of chicken keepers choose Omlet, and discover fun, worry-free flock raising.
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