Poultry & Pigeons

Layers feed is the everyday staple for hens once they are laying, formulated with the extra calcium and protein regular egg production demands, while growers or starter feed suits younger birds not yet at that stage. Pigeon keepers will find dedicated pigeon mixes here too, including feeds aimed at young or racing birds with different energy needs than a backyard flock.

Mixed corn and other treats sit alongside the everyday feeds, useful for scattering as a foraging activity or as an occasional extra, but these are additions to a proper feed rather than a replacement for it.

Poultry feeders and drinkers need to cope with being outside in all weather, so most are built from durable plastic or galvanised metal that will not rust or crack over a season of use. A drinker that is easy to clean matters as much as one that holds a decent volume, since water quality affects flock health directly.

Choosing the right size for your flock avoids two common problems: feeders too small mean birds compete and some miss out, while feeders too large for a small flock can let feed sit long enough to spoil or attract pests.

Coop and housing cleaning products, including disinfectant sprays formulated to be safe around poultry, help keep a coop free of the parasites and bacteria that build up quickly in bedding and nesting areas. A regular cleaning routine matters more for flock health than most keepers expect, since a dirty coop is one of the more common causes of health issues in backyard birds.

Bedding suited to poultry housing, changed regularly, also plays a part in keeping a coop dry and comfortable, which in turn helps keep birds healthy through wetter and colder months.