6 Things That Made Chicken Keeping Way Easier for Us
When you first get into chickens, it seems simple enough—build a coop, toss out some feed, collect eggs. But once you’re in it, you realize there’s a lot more to the day-to-day. We’ve tried plenty of things that didn’t pan out, but a handful of upgrades really made life easier.
If you’re tired of constant cleanup, early mornings, or dealing with predators, these are the things that’ll save you time and frustration. Here’s what we’d recommend to anyone starting out.
Automatic Coop Door
Installing an automatic door on the chicken coop was a game changer. Before that, we were running out first thing in the morning and again at dusk just to let the birds in and out. It worked, but it got old fast—especially during bad weather or busy weeks.
Now the door runs on a timer and closes up tight after dark. It gives peace of mind against predators and keeps the routine consistent, even when we’re away. Definitely one of the smartest upgrades we made.
Large Gravity Feeder
We used to fill up their feeder daily—and they’d still knock it over or kick dirt into it. Switching to a large gravity-style feeder made life a lot simpler. We only need to refill it every few days now, and the chickens can’t spill it as easily.
It keeps the feed cleaner and cuts down on waste. Plus, it frees up your time so you’re not constantly babysitting their food. Once we set it up, we wondered why we didn’t do it sooner.
Covered Dust Bath Area
Our flock loves dust bathing, but when it rained, their favorite spots would turn to mud. We added a simple covered area filled with sand, wood ash, and dirt—and they use it daily.
Keeping it covered means it stays dry and usable year-round. It also helps with mites and keeps their feathers in good shape. It didn’t cost much to set up, but it made a noticeable difference in how healthy and happy the birds stayed.
Easy-Clean Waterer
We went through a few waterers before we found one that didn’t make us cuss. The plastic ones always seemed to clog or get gross fast. Eventually, we picked up a nipple-style waterer that hangs off the ground—and it made all the difference.
The water stays cleaner, and we’re not constantly dumping and scrubbing it out. It’s easy to top off and keeps things more sanitary. If you’re tired of muddy water bowls, this upgrade is worth it.
Secure Run with Overhead Netting
After losing a couple birds to hawks, we knew we needed to do better. We added a net across the top of the run and reinforced the sides with hardware cloth instead of cheap chicken wire.
It took some extra work, but we haven’t had a predator issue since. It keeps the flock safer and lets them roam without worry. If you’re letting your chickens free-range or giving them outdoor space, security is worth every minute of the setup.
Deep Litter System
We switched to the deep litter method in the coop, and it cut down on cleaning big time. Instead of shoveling everything out every week, we just toss fresh shavings on top and stir it now and then.
It composts right there in the coop, keeps smells down, and adds heat in the winter. When we do clean it out, it goes straight into the garden. Less work, less stink, and more benefit all around.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
