We have been raising animals and grown a garden here in Western North Caroline since 2012. We are always on the look out for a better way of doing things, and that includes finding the best equipment and products for our operation. On this page we will share what is working best for us currently and will update and add as we try out new products. 

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Also as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 
That being said we will only recommend what we are actually successfully using on the farm. If you would like to stop by for a visit to check things out in real life please contact us for an appointment! We are usually here every morning from 9-11am.

Why we like our Nestera Coop:

-Easy to clean! A new batch of pullets can move in fast since cleaning and disinfecting after the previous group is a breeze.

- We generally try to avoid plastic, but this coop does not create new plastic waste. It is made out of recycled plastics which have to get used for something and if we can get an almost indestructible coop out of it then great!

-Good size for a large group of young pullets or a nice backyard flock of grown hens

We are happy to show you our coop when you come out to visit! Follow this link for 5% off a Nestera coop for you flock.

---

​Grow Out Pen:
We use GQF stacked "Grow Out Pens" as brooders. The difference between a grow out pen and a brooder is that the brooder has a built in heater. We like to use the chick heating plates in our insulated brooder house, and they fit nicely in the grow out pen.

Nipple Drinker:
These nipple drinkers are very popular with the chicks! It might be the color, but they go for them immediately as you can see in the video. They are easy to refill from the top, don't usually leak and can sit on the brooder plate. Clean water is so important!
​
Chick Heating Plate:
We like to use heating plates instead of heat lamps or the heaters that are built into brooders. The chicks can self regulate and don't get overheated easily. We have not had problems with it getting too cold in our insulated brooder house, even in winter, but we are located in North Carolina, so winters are not super cold. Make sure the brooder plate is set low enough in the beginning, so the small chicks can touch it from underneath. We also put some excelsior pads under the heating plate for the first few weeks, so the chicks don't get chilled from underneath, on the wire floor.