Many important chicken supplies you can actually purchase at the dollar store for a fraction of the cost! Instead, take the money you save from getting dollar store chicken supplies and put it towards some meal worms or grubs for your chickens.
Supplies for your chicken coop don’t have to be pricey.
Look to see what local thrift store is in your neighborhood. Some popular one’s are Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Dollar Store, 99 Cent Only Store, Family Dollar and Fred’s. For the most part, items that they carry are similar. Let me know in the comments if your local thrift store carries any other chicken supplies!
- 1. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Wire Egg Baskets
- 3. Rubber Shelf Liner
- 4. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Glass Marbles for Chicks Water
- 5. Air Freshener
- 6. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Oil Changing Container
- 7. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Scoops for Chicken Feed
- 8. Funnels
- 9. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Plastic tubs for egg laying
- 10. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Spray Bottle
- 11. Sponges
- 12. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Bungee Cords
- 13. Blue Dawn Dish Soap
- 14. Dish Washing Scrubber Brush
- Create a Chicken Medical Emergency Kit with Dollar Store Chicken Supplies
- 15. Hand Sanitizer
- 16. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Triple Antibiotic Ointment
- 17. Epsom Salt
- 18. Elastic Bandage Wrap
- 19. Hydrogen peroxide
- 20. Pedialyte – Electrolytes
- 21. Aspirin for Inflammation
- 22. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Plastic Storage Bins with Lids
- 23. Dog Nail Clippers
- Summary: Savings by Purchasing Chicken Supplies at Dollar Store
1. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can be found in the food and spice isle of your local dollar store. Dilute the ACV with water and put into a spray bottle. Use it to clean and deodorize your chicken coop. Spray on your chickens feathers to give it a healthy shine. Add it to your chickens water as a natural dewormer. The least expensive store that I was able to price compare with was Walmart at $2.90. Saving of $1.90.
2. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Wire Egg Baskets
Wire baskets at the dollar store come in several different colors; black, white, orange and red. They are perfect for collecting eggs and much less expensive than all other stores. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Chewy for $10.84 (sale price). Savings = $9.84.
3. Rubber Shelf Liner
Grip liner can be found in the kitchen supplies isle. I use it all the time in as a liner for my chicken incubator. It works by allowing the chicks to walk around (the first few hours after they hatch) without slipping. Chicks are less likely to develop splayed legs if they are able to grip the surface they are walking on. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Home Depot for $9.08. Savings = $8.08.
4. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Glass Marbles for Chicks Water
Glass marbles or gems are a must for your chicken water bowls. It is too easy for a chick to drown in their water. Place the glass gems in their water so they have to stick their beak between the gems to get their water. They not only dress up the chick brooder, but chicks love to peck at them because they are shiny! The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Michael’s craft store for $3.99. Savings = $2.99.
5. Air Freshener
Air fresheners not only make your chicken coop and it’s surroundings smell better, but it is also a fly deterrent! The dollar store carries a wide variety of hanging air fresheners in their auto section. Scents that deter flies are cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass and peppermint. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is at Walmart for $2.78. Savings = $1.78.
6. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Oil Changing Container
Oil changing containers can be found in the automotive section of your local dollar tree. They are perfect for food bowls for your flock of chickens. I find that they are very durable and plan to pick up one more the next time I see one there! The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $2.97. Savings = $1.97.
Shopping for Dollar Store Chicken Supplies
Tip: Try visiting different dollar stores. Sometimes they carry different items. It all depends upon what the manager orders for their store. If you can’t find an item at one store, try visiting another.
7. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Scoops for Chicken Feed
Scoops can be found in the pet isle at your local dollar store. Measuring and scooping your chicken feed is great with these scoops. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $4.40. Savings = $3.40.
8. Funnels
Funnels can be found in the auto section of your local dollar store. Place them on top of your baby chick food and water containers to deter them from perching up top and pooping into them. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Big Lots for $2.00. Savings = $1.00
9. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Plastic tubs for egg laying
Plastic tubs are usually used for washing dishes and come in a variety of different colors at the Dollar store. They are the perfect size for an egg laying box and so easy to clean out too! I have several of them for egg laying and a few that I store odds and end chicken supplies in. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Big Lots for $2.90. Savings = $1.90.
10. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Spray Bottle
Spray bottles at the dollar store come in a variety of different colors and sizes. I like to keep a couple on hand, one in the house and one out in the coop area. Keep your chickens happy and healthy by keeping their environment clean.
Dilute apple cider vinegar with water, 1:1 ratio, and use to clean around the coop or even mist their feathers and nest boxes. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is The Container Store for $1.99. Savings = .99 cents.
11. Sponges
Sponges can be used for increasing the humidity in your incubator, cleaning chicken bowls and the incubator out before storage. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Target for $3.99. Savings = $2.99.
12. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Bungee Cords
Grab a pack of bungee cords of various sizes at your local dollar store. They come in a six pack with 3 different sizes and can be used in so many ways! Use a bungee cord to secure the lid on your chicken feed, close a gate, connect a tarp to the side of your coop. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Home Depot for $5.96. Savings = $4.96.
13. Blue Dawn Dish Soap
Blue Dawn dish soap is in the cleaning supplies isle at your local dollar store. It is safe to use on your chickens and works especially well on chickens that choose to roost underneath another chicken. Rinsing chicken poop that may get stuck on them is a breeze if you add a little blue Dawn Dish Soap. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for .98 cents. Savings = -.02 cents
14. Dish Washing Scrubber Brush
Cleaning your chicken food and water containers is a frequent task and having a good scrubber brush can make it a lot easier. Check out the kitchen cleaning supplies isle for a wide assortment of brushes available. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $2.37. Savings = $1.37.
Create a Chicken Medical Emergency Kit with Dollar Store Chicken Supplies
Chickens are bound to get cuts, scrapes, develop bumblefoot or fall ill. I highly recommend gathering some essential medical supplies (all of these can be found at your local dollar store) and keep them handy. You never know when you may need them. #15 – #22 are all dollar store supplies to create your chicken medical first aid kit.
- hand sanitizer
- triple antibiotic
- epsom salt
- ace bandage wrap
- hydrogen peroxide
- electrolytes (Pedialyte)
- baby aspirin
- cornstarch (to stop bleeding)
15. Hand Sanitizer
Keep a few hand sanitizers around your chicken coop. Wash or sanitize your hands before handling chickens and especially after. Keep sanitizer on hand for any neighborhood kids that interact with your chickens to use as well. Humans can get salmonella just from handling chickens! The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Target for $2.99. Saving = $1.99.
16. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Triple antibiotic can be found in the same isle as medical supplies. I always keep this in my chicken medical kit. Rubbing this on cuts and scrapes after cleaning with hydrogen peroxide helps to avoid the development of infection. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $2.34. Savings = $1.34.
17. Epsom Salt
Unscented epsom salt is great for soaking your chickens feet in. This is beneficial to clean up cuts and scrapes and to loosen the scabs that may have formed on a chicken with bumblefoot. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Vitabox for $1.53. Savings = .53 cents.
18. Elastic Bandage Wrap
Elastic bandage wrap can also be found in your dollar store medical isle. Great for keeping a cut covered after applying triple antibiotic to it. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $1.48. Savings = .48 cents.
19. Hydrogen peroxide
Use hydrogen peroxide to clean any wounds prior to applying triple antibiotic ointment. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for .95 cents. Savings = -.05 cents.
20. Pedialyte – Electrolytes
Pediatric electrolytes can be found in your dollar store baby isle. Electrolytes are important to have in your chicken medical kit for baby chicks or sick chickens. It can perk them up and give them the boost of energy they need to pull them through their illness.
Add some electrolytes to your chickens water during the middle of Summer, when it is blazing hot. Dilute it with with water at a 1:1 ratio. Do not give electrolytes to chickens for more than 2-3 days. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Target for $3.59. Saving = $2.59.
21. Aspirin for Inflammation
Chickens feel pain when they injure themselves, but are very good at hiding it. Watch them carefully if they have an injury. Cuts, scrapes and injuries that do not require a vet visit, you can crush up and dissolve baby aspirin in their allotted water for the day.
Recommended dosage is 25 mg per lb. of chicken’s body weight each day. Do not give it for more than 3 days in a row. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Walmart for $7.99. Savings = $6.99.
22. Dollar Store Chicken Supplies: Plastic Storage Bins with Lids
Plastic storage bins with lids to store chicken treats or your chicken emergency first aid supplies. I use it as a chicken first aid kit and store all of my medical supplies for my chickens here. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Target for $1.99. Savings = .99 cents.
23. Dog Nail Clippers
Chickens that don’t scratch enough can develop long nails that need to be trimmed by their owner or vet. Dog nail clippers from the dollar store are durable enough to cut their tough nails. Make sure that you also keep some styptic powder or cornstarch handy in case you accidentally cut too far and cause bleeding. The least expensive local store that I found to price compare with is Target for $6.99. Savings = $5.99.
Summary: Savings by Purchasing Chicken Supplies at Dollar Store
| ITEM | OTHER STORE | DOLLAR STORE | SAVINGS |
| APPLE CIDER VINEGAR | $2.90 | $1 | $1.90 |
| WIRE EGG BASKETS | $10.84 | $1 | $9.84 |
| RUBBER SHELF LINER | $9.08 | $1 | $8.08 |
| GLASS GEMS | $3.99 | $1 | $2.99 |
| AIR FRESHENER | $2.78 | $1 | $1.78 |
| OIL CONTAINER | $2.97 | $1 | $1.97 |
| SCOOPS | $4.40 | $1 | $3.40 |
| FUNNELS | $2.00 | $1 | $1.00 |
| PLASTIC TUBS | $2.90 | $1 | $1.90 |
| SPRAY BOTTLE | $1.99 | $1 | $.99 |
| SPONGES | $3.99 | $1 | $2.99 |
| BUNGEE CORDS | $5.96 | $1 | $4.96 |
| DAWN DISH SOAP | $.98 | $1 | -$.02 |
| SCRUBBER BRUSH | $2.37 | $1 | $1.37 |
| HAND SANITIZER | $2.99 | $1 | $1.99 |
| TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC | $2.34 | $1 | $1.34 |
| ESPSOM SALT | $1.53 | $1 | $.53 |
| ELASTIC BANDAGE WRAP | $1.48 | $1 | $.48 |
| HYDROGEN PEROXIDE | $.95 | $1 | -$.05 |
| ELECTROLYTES | $3.59 | $1 | $2.59 |
| ASPIRIN | $7.99 | $1 | $6.99 |
| STORAGE BIN | $1.99 | $1 | $.99 |
| DOG NAIL CLIPPERS | $6.99 | $1 | $5.99 |
| TOTAL SAVINGS: | $63.52 |
Other dollar store chicken supplies worth grabbing while you are there:
- Cornstarch- to stop bleeding after nail trimming
- baking soda- excellent for cleaning in and around the coop
- puppy pee pads- use in chick brooder or under quarantine cage for ill chickens
- containers- store chicken treats or chicken supplies in
- carabiners- secure gates, cabinets, etc.
- buckets with handles
- vaseline- to protect combs and wattles from frost bite
- zip ties
Conclusion
- Many important chicken supplies can actually be found at your local dollar store.
- Keep a chicken medical kit with all of the essential emergency supplies on hand. All of the supplies can be found at your local thrift store.
- You can save a total of $63.52 by purchasing all 23 items I listed at your local thrift store!
What are some chicken supplies that you have purchased at your local thrift store?
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