Affordable Fun Finds

[Strong Bad]

Who doesn’t love to save a buck or two! My baby chicks love these little boxes from Dollar Tree. They’re like baby nesting boxes, too cute! And they seem to like these mini pallets too.

Other finds from Dollar Tree: feed scooper, thermometer and clip claps to close my feed bag.

Personally, the best find for me is my brooder box. Free from Costco!

What are your affordable fun finds for your chickens?

 

[StinkyAcres]

I made a nesting box out of a free old dresser and it's been great. Could be cuter with paint and fun knobs.

 

[Insnesnakos]

I go to the store to get new nest boxes for the birds (they have to be made with thicker cardboard) Their current nest box has chicken tenders on it They don't seem to mind

 

[Strong Bad]

Some gals sleep in the little boxes, others perch. At a dollar something each, I couldn't go wrong!

I was at Costco when I told a random associate that I was picking my baby chicks soon and needed a brooder. After explaining what a brooder was, he searched the back and came out with this produce box. It's absolutely perfect!

I ended up calling Costco later that day and told the manager that I received the best customer service from this young man. I didn't go into the whole brooder thing with the manager. In fact, I didn't even tell the manager that he gave away the box. I just focused on his outstanding service.

What's nice about these produce boxes is that there are holes in 4 corners. I covered two completely, and partially covered the other two where I threw a roost for the chicks. They are not using the roost as of it. But I suspect they will in a couple of weeks.

 

[Becstasy94]

Y’all RUN, don’t walk, to Dollar General and get a T-Rex mirror

 

[rosemarythyme]

Free is my favorite form of affordable. My plastic dust bath was pulled off the neighbor's curb, feeding cubbies were discarded behind the house by previous owner, my old nest box was a modified dog house (also left behind by previous owner). Run roosts are tree branches.

 

[jlwquilter]

I pick up large dog crates that people throw away and use as nest boxes, broody hen with eggs and then with the chicks as their home as well as chicken carriers.
Someone threw away what I guess was a rabbit or Guinea pig enclosure on legs. Screened in (needed some screen replacement) with a hinged screened lid! Awesome brooder for these last batches of chicks. Good sized too. Feel extraordinarily lucky to have snagged that!

 

[Rise722]

I made an inexpensive collar for my cats so when the birds are trying to hatch their eggs, so they are not pounced on and eaten/injured. Anyone can make one of these - just put some colorful zip ties around the regular collar (making sure it is a quick release) and it throws off the cat's pounce-ability. They can still eat/drink/get up a tree....it goes through a kitty door easily. But it cuts WAY down on the cat's naughty behavior when it comes to the birds.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just an FYI, the box will work for a brooder for about 10 days to 2 weeks. By that time they will be flying out of there.

And really they will need more space than that, healthy chicks need space to run. At the very least get them outside in fresh air and sunshine as soon as possible. A trick I use sometimes, is to put them outside in my fenced garden if you do not have a coop and run set up. Tip the box over, and they will eventually get brave and explore, when they get tired they will come back to the box, and you can bring it in for the night.

Healthy chicks are a lot of fun. They really do not need a heat lamp for weeks and weeks. Do set it up, so that there is a warm spot near 95 degrees and a cool spot about 50-60 degrees - put the food and water there. If you watch a broody hen, she does not keep them under her all the time - they go out in much cooler temperatures, run and play, and then take a nice nap under mama - this really helps with their feather development, and temperature control.

This is a fun hobby.

Mrs K

They are not using the roost as of it. But I suspect they will in a couple of weeks.

 

[Strong Bad]

I go to the store to get new nest boxes for the birds (they have to be made with thicker cardboard) Their current nest box has chicken tenders on it They don't seem to mind

Their current nesting box has chicken tenders on it!!! Hopefully, it's DINO-NUGGETS!