I buy lots of chicken supplies at the dollar store (I prefer Dollar Tree) Many are the same exact item and others need thrown out and replaced so often that I feel like I'm just throwing money away! Here are 10 things I always buy at the dollar store and why.
I've added comparison prices and links if you want to order them online. I highly suggest you take a visit to the local dollar store though. You should easily find everything on this list!
Cheap chicken supplies
1) Generic Pedialyte. It contains sugar and electrolytes. Keep on hand to add to a sick chickens water. Before I used the generic for the first time, I spent hours searching mommy blogs and forums and I couldn't find one shred of proof that name brand is better....so generic it is! Brand name product $6 Store brand $4 Dollar store $1
2) Triple antibiotic ointment. (don't get the kind that says 'pain relief') Off brand Neosporin. For cuts, broken toenails, to prevent frostbitten combs...etc. You can also buy double antibiotic ointment if they don't have the triple and you're in a pinch. Brand name product: $5 Store brand $3 Dollar store $1
3) Epsom salts. If you ever had to soak a bumblefoot or an egg bound hen, you'll be glad that you had this on hand! Get the kind without eucalyptus, citrus or other essential oils added to it. Brand name $4.50 Store brand $2 Dollar store $1
4) Puppy pee pads. For lining chick brooders or a 'hospital cage'. I use them under any cage that's in the house to catch shavings before they become embedded in the carpet. Pack of 4. At the pet store, these vary in expense from $10 to $30 a box depending on quantity, quality and such.
Since I throw them away daily, quality and being scented to attract a puppy doesn't matter to me. I like these because they are soft on one side, and plastic on the other so spilled water doesn't soak through to the floor. Dollar store $1
5) Baby bottle brush. For cleaning the waterer. These work especially well for the chick or quail sized drinkers, but are awesome for getting in the grooves in the large sized base also. Even better if you use hamster style water bottles. Big box store $3 Dollar store $1
6) Glass marbles. Put these in the bottom of the chicks water container to keep them from drowning. They have all different sizes from big squares to half flat pebbles, so pick your size according to the water container you'll be using with the chicks. Craft store $5 Big box store $3 Dollar store $1
7) Sponges. I don't keep sponges around very long so $1 a pack is the perfect price for me! After washing all the feed bowls, I throw the used sponge away. Cut pieces of a new sponge to put in the incubator during lockdown if you need to raise humidity.
You don't need the fancy ones with the scrubbing edge, just plain sponges in the big pack will do. Big box store $3-$6 Dollar store $1
8) Rubber shelf liner. Another incubator must. Cut a piece to fit the bottom of the incubator to keep chicks from sliding and getting spraddle leg. You can even put it in the brooder under the shavings if the bottom is smooth. Big box store $4 Dollar store $1
9) Baby aspirin. Keep on hand in case you have an injured chicken. Use diluted in water for pain relief. Generic works just as well as the name brand. Big box store $2-$4 Dollar store $1
10) Pet bowls. I have these as extra water bowls absolutely everywhere in the summer. I put extra water bowls in every run, on the back patio for the free-rangers etc. Keep on hand for using in a quarantine cage.
Dollar tree has every size from small cat sized to large dog size. (and I have them all!) Retail costs can vary from $2-$15 Dollar store $1
Also look for.....generic vet-wrap style bandages, band-aids, scrub brushes, shiny spinners or wind chimes to deter hawks, spray bottles for misting inside the incubator to raise humidity, plastic tubs, buckets and even ice scrapers to clean up poop boards.
Dollar Tree always sells blue dawn dish detergent. That is the one that cuts grease really well but is mild enough that it's used on wild animals caught in oil spills. This is very effective if you ever have to wash something funky out of a chicken's feathers.
Dollar General should have almost all the same items for similar prices, though some may be a little more. If you don't see them in the correct section (like the $1 baby aspirin by the aspirin), check the dollar section which has all $1 bargain items.
Take a look around, I'm sure you'll find something that makes you say "why on earth am I paying more?"
More ways to save money on chicken supplies
Want more posts on saving money on chickens and supplies? Click here for my other posts on frugal chicken keeping! I have written about everything from free feed to free bedding materials. Check it out and save yourself some moolah!
~L
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I am not a veterinarian or other animal care professional nor do I claim to be. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me and my flock. This information is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please see a vet if your chicken is ill. Click for my full disclaimer.
This post contains affiliate links. If you chose to purchase something through the link, I will get a small payment from Amazon. It will not affect your purchase price. Click for full disclosure.
This is EXCELLENT information!! Thank you for putting this together. It is going on my Pinterest board ASAP!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome...I'm glad you like it! I'm such a dollar store junkie it just made sense to get my chicken supplies there too!
Delete~L
I found by tying white plastic bags to the fence around the hen yard the raccoons do not visit. knock on wood. plus it is a very cheap deturant.
DeleteI have a recipe for pedialyte using sugar, baking soda, water and salt. is that okay?
DeleteThanks for the great info!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Delete~L
Our hens just turned a year old in March, so there is so much to learn about them and this post has taught me a couple of very useful tactics. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to help! Chicken keeping is so much fun, isn't it?
Delete~L
I have said the same thing... chickens are so fun, I don't know why everyone doesn't have them!
DeleteThanks for this list! I had never given a thought to look for things at Dollar Tree!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! It's amazing how many things they have that I was paying so much more for. I love a good bargain!
Delete~L
This is a great list. We get all we can at the Dollar store.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am constantly shopping at the dollar store! (drives my husband nuts lol)
Delete~L
Shop the .88 section in HBA at Walmart--I get 2 pounds of epsom salts there for .88 (baths, gardening, etc.).
ReplyDeleteI looked for an .88 section at Walmart after you posted this and neither of our Walmart's have one! :-( I wonder if it's a regional thing? Glad you found a good bargain!
Delete~L
Our stores have them in Southern IL. One has them by pharmacy in a bin like the cheap movies, another has a bin by the checkouts and yet another walmart has them on shelves at pharmacy or checkouts. I'm a big Dollar Tree girl but I do stock up on those.
DeleteAs if I needed another reason to go! I always look for chicken stuff there, but I hadn't heard of bathing a chicken (actually heard it was dangerous to the chicken because of body temp needs) or soaking an egg bound hen. My babies haven't begun laying yet, but this is good to know!
ReplyDeleteI know right? I go to the dollar store wayyy too often!
DeleteI hadn't ever heard that I shouldn't bathe a chicken. I know bathing is a part of pre-show grooming. I've had to bathe chickens who got pooped on by standing under the roost (if you don't get the poop out of the feathers it ends up pulling the whole clump up feathers out...in Silkies) I always keep the chicken in the house till fully dry and if it's winter I usually keep them in overnight.
~L
Thanks so much. I have 5 chickens and have been looking for ways to keep the expense down.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is in the process of buying a small 4 acre farm for horses and wants to raise a few chickens also. Thanks for the dollar tree suggestions, I will put together a little "welcome chickens bucket" with all the products that you suggested and use. Thanks again
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThat's a fantastic idea to send with ppl who buy chicks from me for the first time. Lol
DeleteLibertymoon...feel free to share it with your customers!
DeleteLisa
THIS IS AWESOME! And very informative! And I do have two chickens in the house...so those puppy pads are going to be very useful Oh don't you know it with the shavings!)! Thank you for posting this!!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Those pee pads are awesome for house chickens!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
~L
All my egg baskets came from the dollar store. Plastic coated wire baskets, can be run thru the dishwasher if needed! Thanks for the tip on the baby asprin, our old dog gets one daily.
ReplyDeleteI have some of those too. They work great!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
~L
Great list of items! I also buy the "brownie pans" at the Dollar Store to use as feed pans.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea for table scraps! Thanks!
DeleteGlad you liked the post!
~L
This is such a great article. I started raising chickens last year, I want to get a bigger flock going next year (maybe even ducks too!!) So reading this was really helpful! Gotta love the dollar store, I already get my egg baskets there(sometimes the thrift store, even cheaper!) But I didn't think about puppy pads, good idea!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any tips on keeping chickens thru the winter?( keeping snow out of their run, both for their little feet and their water!)
Thank you!
K
Thanks, I'm glad I gave you a few ideas!
DeleteYou gave me an idea now.....I can make a water bowl base with heat using Xmas lights from dollar tree! Look for the post, and thanks for the inspiration!
~L
I didn't know that they sold generic pedialyte at the dollar store. I would automatically think of a pharmacy first for that, not to mention the other medical supplies such as baby aspirin. These are good tips for anyone who wants to save more money in their home.
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised at what dollar stores have now! You can really save a lot of money there if you know what to look for.
Delete~Lisa
I love shopping at the dollar store!! I recently prepared a lesson for my 4H poultry project kids about having a "poultry prep kit". I bought plastic shoe boxes and made a list of important things to have onhand. I put together a few items from the list and the kids that answered the lesson question correctly got to get a "poultry prep kit" starter pack a majority of the items from the dollar store!! !! Just a quick note though, if you are buying antibiotic ointment with pain reliever, make sure the pain reliever doesn't have any "caine" in the ingrdients. It is poisonous for chickens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I bet the kids loved that!
DeleteI usually just avoid the 'pain relief' type of antibiotic cream. I'm always afraid they'll have something in there that isn't clear on the label....or a new medication I'm not sure of....so I just avoid it.
Thanks for stopping by!
~L
I had no idea about these things for a homestead - thank you for sharing at the Tuesday Garden Party!
ReplyDeleteI;m just starting out with Chicks, so this was very helpful! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI use the plastic snack trays for feeders here in the foggy,wet Pacific NW...easy to clean too!
ReplyDeleteBeside your list here, I buy all my spices at the Dollar store and use them liberally in feeding my flock. Chili Spice, chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oregano, paprika, basil, etc... I used these to worm my turkeys every month whether they need it or not.
ReplyDeleteTurkey are too hard on plastic ware, so I have to use the metal bowls. Also you should consider using plastic garbage cans to hold their feed in before you are overrun with mice and other critters.
Spices are a great idea! I use the giant rubber or metal garbage cans for feed. It seems like mice chew through everything else!
DeleteLisa
Great info thank you!
ReplyDeleteI only have 4 hens. 3 of the 4 started laying in late January, but the 4th hen has not layed yet! Should I start to worry about her? They were about 1 month old when I rescued them in September of 2019 from an abandoned property.
ReplyDeleteGreat information. Chicken water systems are expensive so I use an automatic dog water bowl for my chickens. I have it had for 3 years now; works great and I only paid $15 for it on Amazon with free prime shipping. Your sponge idea will be greating for cleaning it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I will look into the dog waterers.
DeleteLisa
Super helpful list for a chicken mama newbie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat list.- I’m a new chicken mama.
ReplyDeleteEpsom salt for a hen soon to lay an egg??? Or however you put it??
My poor frizzle baby, Foofie. She is waddling, she looks uncomfortable lol Bootsie won’t leave her alone! I just ordered her a saddled bc I made a ridiculous one lol She looked like she had daisy dukes on.. but I think she is in the egg bearing phase... I have shown her where her nesting box is.. she fluffed and foofed it up a bit, nested a hole..that’s about it. Do I give her baths ??
Congrats on the new flock! If she hasn't laid yet then she probably will any day now. If you think she is egg bound then you could try the Epsom salt baths...they certainly won't hurt her if nothing is wrong! I hope your hen is feeling better soon!
DeleteLisa
A few of the items you mention aren't available in any of the Dollar Store locations here in Canada but the others I will look for. Thanks for the info
ReplyDelete