More and more chicken keepers are curious about getting their flock involved in gardening and farming – think fertilising soil, patrolling pests and helping tired lawns, allotments and fields bounce back.
We spent two days at FarmED in the Cotswolds learning from regenerative farmers and seeing how these ideas work in real life. The big takeaway? You don’t need acres of land or complicated systems. If you keep chickens and have green space, you’ve got what you need.
What does regenerative farming actually mean?
At its heart, regenerative farming is about leaving the land better than you found it. Instead of taking from the soil year after year, you help it recover, rebuild, and get healthier over time.
And here’s the good news: if you keep chickens, you’re probably already doing some of this – even if you didn’t know it had a name.
For chicken owners, regenerative farming comes down to a few simple ideas:
Work with nature, not against it
Keep plants growing where you can, let different grasses and herbs share the space, and move your chickens regularly so the ground has time to rest.
Put soil first
Healthy soil is the real star of the show. Keep it covered with plants or mulch, spread nutrients naturally by regularly moving the chicken coop or run, and avoid letting chickens churn up wet ground.
It’s no surprise that both Matt and Claire mentioned Joel Salatin, whose regenerative approach to chickens and pasture has inspired chicken keepers across the world. Each had put their own spin on his ideas, building or acquiring DIY versions of the classic Egg Mobile design, to improve soil health while keeping the ground from being overworked.
Close the loop
Turn “waste” into something useful. Compost chicken bedding and poo, try to avoid wasted feed so less ends up on the floor, and let your chickens recycle scraps into future goodness.
Think local
Regeneration isn’t just about land – it’s about people too. Share your eggs or compost with your community, swap tips with other keepers, and support local growers where you can.
How to get started
In your garden
You don’t need pasture or fancy kit to put these ideas into practice. Small changes add up.
Move often: Shift your chicken run or coop regularly. Let each patch rest for a few weeks so grass and soil can recover.
Protect the ground: Overseed bare patches with a mixed grass or herb blend. Use woodchip in high‑traffic areas and around drinkers.
Feed smarter: An Omlet Smart No Waste Chicken Feeder keeps feed off the floor, deters pests by closing its ports automatically at night, and therefore saves you money. Win win!
Get the basics right: Good ventilation, reliable shade, fresh water and a dust bath go a long way – especially in warm weather.
Close the loop: Compost used bedding and manure. Once broken down, spread it on beds and borders for free fertility.
On your small farm or smallholding
The principles are exactly the same – you’re just working at a bigger scale.
Plan rotations: Let hens follow cattle or sheep where possible, moving them frequently and resting paddocks so plants can regrow.
Grow diversity: Mixed pastures (often called herbal leys) improve soil structure, resilience and forage quality.
Keep it mobile: Towable coops and simple, airy shelters make regular moves quick and low‑stress for chickens and humans alike.
Add trees: Shelter belts or agroforestry strips provide shade, wind protection and deeper roots to cycle nutrients.
Watch and adjust: Keep an eye on ground cover, feed use and bird health – then tweak move frequency based on what the land is telling you.
Regenerative farming doesn’t have to be complicated.
It starts with paying attention: moving the flock before the ground suffers, keeping soil covered, and turning everyday chicken keeping jobs into small wins for the land around you.
Huge thanks to Matt Elliott, Agricultural lead at FarmED (as well as running Sandy Hill Farm), and Clare Hill, co-founder of Planton Farm and Impeckable Poultry, for explaining just how practical (and achievable) regeneration can be with chickens involved.
Last month, we headed to FarmED in Oxfordshire with a brilliant bunch of chicken keepers for a day that was equal parts thoughtful, warm and joyfully chaotic (any day involving chickens usually is). The Regenerative Roost Retreat marked the launch of our new No Waste Chicken Feeders, but more than anything, it was about bringing people together to share ideas, learn from one another and celebrate a more considered way of living with chickens.
The day kicked off with a warm welcome from Omlet co‑founder Hanns, who shared the story behind Omlet and our mission to create products that make a real difference to chicken keepers.
“I really liked Hanns speaking about the evolution of Omlet and how the designs have evolved over time. To feel his continued passion for his brand was infectious and moving.” Arthur Parkinson@arthurparkinson_
Then came possibly the most memorable moment of the day…
Chicken yoga.
Mats on the floor, plenty of laughter to break the ice and some very curious hens pecking about. Hayley Brown called it “a great way to kick off the day being surrounded by chickens,”many of our attendees admitted it’s something they’re tempted to bring into everyday life with their own chickens.
We had Michael Kennard from Compost Club lead a composting demo that left many guests rethinking what they do with chicken bedding, manure and food scraps.
“Michael’s session on composting was so interesting and it was great to hear about his tips for making the most of used chicken bedding and manure. I’m definitely going to have a deep dive on his courses and online materials to swot up on bokashi and hot composting.” Heather, @farmhouseintheferns
Lunch, provided by the FarmED café, was the perfect opportunity for the group to chat, chill out and network. Vanessa Kimbell @vanessakimbell reflected, “People don’t always get many chances to network properly now, and chickens are a surprisingly good common ground.”
After lunch, guests headed out on a guided walk around the FarmED land. While the weather wasn’t entirely on our side that day, it was great to see their chickens, soil and systems working together in real life.
Later in the afternoon, Anna from Anna’s Family Kitchen hosted a no waste cooking demo, encouraging everyone to be a little braver with leftovers.“Anna really inspired me to get braver in the kitchen,” Charlie @eggs_and_fluff, who’s already planning to explore more of Anna’s recipes at home.
The mix of hands-on learning, shared meals, curious chickens and practical tips made the day as inspiring as it was enjoyable. Guests left feeling motivated, connected and maybe even more obsessed with chickens than they were before, and if there was one clear takeaway from the retreat, it’s that people want more of it.“It was so refreshing to be in a room full of like‑minded people,” said Heather. “I’d absolutely love to attend more events like this.”
Watch this space, maybe we’ll be organising more chicken yoga sessions…
Step aside puppies and goats, chickens are taking over the mats!
Earlier this month, as part of our launch event for the brand new No Waste Chicken Feeders, we hosted our first ever Chicken Yoga. Yep, a chicken themed yoga class where the stars were… well, chickens.
Omlet co-founder Hanns, opened with a mantra before handing over to Nicole to lead the session.
They gave us eggs. We have eggs.They make us laugh. We need that.Because of the chicken, we can relax. Feel closer to nature, scratch the earth.Have something to watch.Appear more interesting.Sort our thoughts, calm our souls.Find friendships, create circles.They are yoga, they are meditation, they are personal yard jesters.They fix us. Right?
Our guests then unrolled their mats and were immediately joined by a flock of curious hens, hopping around, pecking, scratching and making themselves at home. Yoga has never been this feathery or funny before.
“The chickens were SO sweet and I fell in love with that little lavender bantam!” Heather @farmhouseinthefens
“I loved how involved everyone got with the chicken yoga, it’s definitely something I’m going to integrate into my everyday life!!” Charlie @eggs_and_fluff
The class, led by the brilliant Nicole, was a mix of flowing stretches and playful poses inspired by our feathery friends. We warmed up with Flapping Tadasana, Downward and Upward Chickie, and Murgasana, before strutting into Scratching Warrior, Twisting Chicken and winding down with the Flowing Feeder – in celebration of Omlet’s new Smart No Waste Chicken Feeder.
“Sequencing a class in honour of the chicken meant we could experience the creative side of yoga. Chickens have such unique movements and incredible personalities that the poses came naturally, and left us feeling grounded but playful,” Nicole, yoga instructor
The session reminded us how much chickens help us slow down and live in the moment, as well as provide us with much needed laughter. Because of the chicken.
Cleaning your chicken coop is essential for keeping your flock healthy, happy, and productive. A clean coop prevents the spread of disease, keeps pests like red mites at bay, and reduces stress on your chickens. Regular cleaning also helps protect your flock from respiratory issues and can even improve egg production. Neglecting coop hygiene can quickly lead to health problems and a drop in egg yield, so it’s important to stay on top of your cleaning routine.
Why Is It Important to Clean Your Coop?
Keeps your chickens healthy by cutting down on bacteria and disease
Stops red mites and other pesky parasites from taking over the coop
Shields your flock from respiratory issues caused by ammonia and dust
Boosts egg production by keeping your hens relaxed and happy
Prevents unnecessary stress so your chickens can thrive
How Often to Clean a Chicken Coop
Sticking to a regular cleaning routine is the secret to a happy, healthy flock, especially if you have a wooden coop. With a few simple daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, you’ll keep your coop sparkling and your chickens loving their home. For wooden coops, pay extra attention to corners and crevices where mites and moisture can hide, and check regularly for signs of rot or damage. Giving wooden surfaces a good scrub and letting them dry out fully helps prevent mould and keeps your coop sturdy for years to come.
Daily Tasks
Gather up those fresh eggs
Scoop out any droppings you spot
Give the roosting bars a quick wipe-down
Toss out any soiled bedding
Weekly Tasks
Swap in fresh bedding for the nesting boxes and coop floor
Give drinkers and feeders a good clean and disinfect
Sweep out any stray feathers or leftover debris
Monthly Tasks
Take out all the bedding for a proper deep clean
Scrape off every bit of droppings and stubborn dirt
Scrub down every surface with a chicken-safe cleaner
Let the coop dry out completely before adding fresh bedding
If you have a plastic chicken coop, wipe the panels down with a towel to speed up the drying process
Cleaning Chicken Accessories
Keeping your chickens’ accessories sparkling clean is just as important as tidying up the coop itself. Give drinkers and feeders a good scrub inside and out on a regular basis, this helps stop bacteria and mould from sneaking in and making your flock sick. Grab a brush to tackle any stubborn bits, and rinse everything well so no cleaning residue is left behind. Covered drinkers and enclosed chicken feeders are a smart choice, since they keep dirt, droppings, and bedding from getting into your chickens’ food and water, reducing how often you need to clean them. By keeping feeding and drinking gear fresh and clean, you’ll make sure your chickens always have safe, uncontaminated food and water.
Best Way to Clean a Chicken Coop
The best way to keep your chicken coop clean is to mix a little daily spot cleaning with a weekly tidy-up and a good, deep scrub once a month. Each day, spot clean droppings in the nest box, gather up those fresh eggs, and brush off roosting bars, this keeps things easy and stops mess from piling up. Once a week, give the coop a refresh by swapping in clean bedding, emptying droppings trays, and giving drinkers and feeders a thorough wash. When it’s time for your monthly deep clean, take out all the bedding, scrape off any stubborn droppings, and give every surface a scrub with your favourite chicken-safe cleaner.
Don’t forget to pay extra attention to corners, roosting bars and nesting boxes; those sneaky spots love to hide bacteria and pests. After you’ve scrubbed everything down, disinfect well and let the coop dry out completely before adding in fresh bedding. Letting it dry is super important, since leftover moisture in wooden coops can lead to mould and bacteria. If you have a plastic chicken coop, you can easily wipe down the panels with a towel to speed up the drying process. For a little extra peace of mind, sprinkle some diatomaceous earth in the bedding of your wooden coop to help keep mites and other pests away before your chickens move back in.
What to Clean a Chicken Coop With
When it comes to cleaning your wooden chicken coop, choosing the right cleaning products is important for both the health of your flock and the longevity of your coop. Natural cleaners are a popular choice, with a simple 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water being both safe and effective for most cleaning tasks. Vinegar naturally cuts through grime and helps neutralise odours without leaving behind harmful residues. For tougher jobs, especially during your monthly deep clean, you might opt for a commercial disinfectant designed specifically for animal housing, just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and rinse thoroughly. Scrub brushes are essential for loosening dried droppings and dirt, while a hose can help rinse away debris and cleaner from surfaces. For a fresh-smelling coop, consider adding citrus peels to your cleaning solution; they not only help mask odours but can also provide a mild antibacterial effect.
Key Takeaways
Clean your chicken coop regularly to keep your flock healthy and productive.
Follow a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule for best results.
Use natural cleaners like vinegar and water for safe, effective cleaning.
Deep clean monthly and allow the coop to dry before adding new bedding.
Clean accessories regularly and use covered feeders and drinkers to prevent contamination.
Omlet and Your Flock
Keeping your chicken coop clean is one of the best ways to help your flock truly thrive. With a regular cleaning routine and the right tools, you’ll give your chickens a safe, comfy home, which means happier hens and plenty of tasty eggs. A tidy coop doesn’t just keep your flock healthy and stress-free; it also makes your daily chores quicker and a whole lot more enjoyable. Plus, you’ll feel great knowing you’re giving your chickens the best life possible to roost, play, and lay. Stick with your cleaning routine, and you’ll have a lively, productive flock and a coop you can be proud of.
Did you know that Brits chuck out an eye-watering 720 million eggs every year? Yep – that’s a lot of perfectly good omelettes heading for the bin.
As part of our No Waste Campaign, we’re on a mission to help you make the most of what you’ve already got, especially when it comes to those beautiful, fresh eggs collected from your own flock.
So we asked chicken keeper and egg-enthusiast Jane Griffiths (@parkplacegower) to share her favourite ways to use up and preserve surplus eggs. Over to Jane…
1. Freeze them
I didn’t even know this was a thing until recently, but it absolutely is. Just lightly whisk any excess eggs before pouring into an ice cube tray and storing in the freezer.
2. Slap them on top of your curry
This is possibly my favourite thing ever, and if you haven’t already tried it, I strongly suggest you do. Adding a fried or boiled egg on top of a veggie curry is delish. Eggs are a staple in Indian cuisine – with good reason.
3. Pickle them
They’re ready to eat immediately, but to guarantee the best flavour, leave them to pickle for at least a few days. I nabbed my recipe off the internet – there’s loads on there and you can switch up the spices etc depending on what you have to hand. Snack of champions, allegedly. Particularly if you’re an old man in a pub.
Three super simple ways to make your eggs go further – no waste, no faff, just good food. Thanks Jane!
Whether you’re freezing for later, topping off a curry, or embracing your inner pub-snacking legend with a pickled egg, there’s plenty you can do to give every egg the love it deserves.
Which one are you trying first? Or have you got a tried-and-tested egg hack of your own? Share it with us in the comments.
As part of our No Waste Series, we’re exploring simple, practical ways to cut down on waste at home and make better use of what we already have in the kitchen and garden.
One thing we wanted to learn more about is how to waste less in the kitchen, and make the most of what we already have in the fridge! We chatted to Hope Batchelor (@toast_with_hope), the queen of making the most of leftovers and not letting anything go to waste, for her top tips. Hope has her own flock too, so incorporates eggs into a lot of her recipes to make sure they’re never wasted. Read on to hear more.
What’s your top kitchen no-waste hack?
My ‘use first’ container in the fridge. Any ingredient that’s on the turn and needs to be used up goes into that container and I make sure I plan meals around the items in that until they’re used up. It’s also a great habit to get into before you do any big food shops. It doesn’t stop me buying new ingredients to cook with but it means the things I do buy will incorporate those ‘use first’ items.
How do you make sure you waste less on a weekly basis?
Reimagining leftovers! It doesn’t have to be a case of microwaving the Tupperware from last night’s dinner and having it exactly as you did the night before. Leftover bolognese? Turn it into a quesadilla! Leftover tomato sauce from your pasta? Turn it into shakshuka! Making something new from something I previously cooked stops me from throwing things out and makes me excited about what can be created with what I already have.
What’s the best way to preserve foodie bits that you always have around (e.g. eggs and bread)?
Pickling is a great option for any leftover veg. For bread, dry it out in the oven and make breadcrumbs to keep in an airtight container. For eggs and veg… breakfast burritos! Any odds and ends of veggies can be chopped up or grated into an omelette or frittata mix, sliced into rectangles and into a wrap with a hash brown and some good old American cheese. Wrap them up in foil and store in the freezer for speedy breakfasts!
What’s one change you’ve made to waste less that’s made the biggest difference?
Stop being afraid of leftovers. Use your initiative. Does it smell and look okay? If yes, you’re likely good to go. Don’t shy away from reheating things like rice. As long as you’ve let something cool completely and have it loosely covered before going into the fridge, it will make for a perfect leftover dish for days to come.
How does having your own chickens help with wasting less?
Having a daily and endless supply of eggs from the chickens are key for reducing food waste as eggs are such a versatile ingredient! Have some bananas going black? Make banana bread. Got some spinach that’s about to turn? Make a spinach omelette. Owning chickens allows me to always have a key ingredient to rustle up a dish no matter what’s in the fridge or cupboards.
What different things do you do with your chickens’ eggs to make sure you always use them all up?
I’m a big fan of a savoury breakfast and my chickens’ eggs means I’m never at a loss for a good egg based start to the day. One of my recent favourite things to make is savoury muffins or loaf cakes. I recently developed a leftover roasted carrot loaf cake (recipe here) as part of my Christmas leftover series and it’s a brilliant bake to have topped with a poached egg and sautéed spinach and mushrooms for breakfast. You’ll also find me making quiches, frittatas, shakshukas and sweet bakes for all kinds with the eggs.
What’s your favourite thing to make yourself/make from scratch at home?
Baking is my safe space. I love the process, I love the versatility and I love the result. There’s something so calming and enjoyable not knowing what a final result will be until it’s out of the oven and I love how much grace you actually have with measurements. Yes it’s a science but as long as you’ve loosely followed the base of the recipe, it’ll be fine and there will be something delicious to eat at the end.
How do you plan meals to avoid food going off?
Pinterest is a brilliant resource. If I’m ever unsure of what to do with an ingredient, I’ll head there to get some inspiration. Combined with my ‘use first’ container, there’s always a delicious meal around the corner.
What’s your go-to trick for reviving food that’s on the turn?
Dry things? Add moisture and heat.
Stale bread? Sprinkle a little water on the crust and pop it in a hot oven for a few minutes.
Chips or crackers? A quick oven toast brings the crunch back.
Wilted veg? Do the cold water shock!
Limp greens (lettuce, herbs)? Ice water for 10–20 minutes. It’s like a spa day – they perk right up.
Bland leftovers? Acid + salt. A squeeze of lemon, splash of vinegar, or pinch of salt can wake up tired soups, grains and roasted veg instantly.
Sad proteins? Sauce or shred. Dry chicken or tofu becomes great once shredded and tossed in a flavourful sauce, broth, or stir-fry.
Almost-over fruit? Jam or bake them! Soft berries or apples are perfect for quick compotes, smoothies, oatmeal toppings or thrown into a muffin recipe (this sourdough discard muffin recipe of mine is PERFECT for any leftover berries).
Thanks so much to Hope for these great tips, we’ll definitely be implementing the ‘use first’ container, and trying out some of her recipes. Head over to Hope’s Instagram and TikTok if you’re looking for more recipe inspo.
As part of our No Waste Series, we’re looking into how we can make small but impactful changes to waste less at home and make the most of what we already have in the kitchen and garden.
One thing we wanted to learn more about is composting, so we reached out to Michael, founder of Compost Club, who gave us some top tips for starting out in the compost world.
Composting doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming
The trick is using the right system for the right job. I use several composting methods side by side, and together they let me compost almost everything with very little effort. That includes garden waste, food scraps and even materials from keeping chickens and pets. Here are five composting tips to help you get started this year:
1. DON’T FORCE ONE BIN TO DO EVERYTHING
Different waste breaks down in different ways, so one compost bin rarely works for everything. I use Bokashi (more on this later) for food waste, a wormery for fruit and veg scraps, compost tumblers for mixed material and open bays for garden waste. Each system does what it’s best at and composting becomes much easier. Chicken bedding, pet-safe garden waste and high-nitrogen materials all benefit from having the right system rather than being squeezed into one bin.
Quick tip: If something keeps causing smells or flies, it probably needs a different system. In composting we say, “If you smell it, you’re losing it” and the “it” is nitrogen.
2. USE OPEN BAYS FOR BULKY GARDEN WASTE
For grass cuttings, prunings, leaves and larger volumes of material, open compost bays or circular heaps are hard to beat. They handle large volumes, allow good airflow and quietly turn garden waste into compost over time with very little intervention. They’re especially useful if you keep chickens. Used bedding, straw, wood shavings and manure are rich in nitrogen and compost brilliantly when mixed well with carbon materials and can generate heat for faster breakdown.
Quick tip: Mix materials well for better structure and aim to maintain around 50% moisture, good aeration and the right balance of greens to browns. A compost aeration tool makes turning much easier. You could introduce a hollow channel from top to bottom, like a chimney, to act as a lung for passive aeration.
3. LET WORMS HANDLE THE SMALL STUFF
Wormeries are brilliant for raw fruit and vegetable waste. They’re compact, low-maintenance and produce incredibly rich compost. They’re ideal if you generate small amounts of food waste regularly and want fast results without much effort. Avoid adding meat, dairy or pet waste to wormeries, but they’re perfect for plant-based kitchen scraps from busy households. However much you love soil, worms love it more – they have five hearts!
Quick tip: Always top food with a bedding of leaf litter and add around 10% browns to keep flies away and keep your worms happy.
4. Compost tumblers work best when they’re kept moving
Regular turning adds oxygen and speeds up decomposition. I use tumblers to mix food waste (especially Bokashi) with dry materials like wood chips. Shredded cardboard, paper or autumn leaves can work well too. This creates compost far faster than a static bin. Tumblers are also ideal for mixing in small amounts of soiled chicken bedding once it’s been balanced with plenty of carbon. I aim to mix greens and browns 50:50 by volume. In composting, “greens” refer to nitrogen-rich materials (like food scraps, fresh grass clippings and coffee grounds), while “browns” are carbon-rich materials (like dried leaves, straw, shredded cardboard and paper). A balanced mix of greens and browns helps compost break down faster and keeps your pile healthy.
Quick tip: A quick spin every day or two makes a big difference. Fill to about ¾ full, and choose a unit of at least 245 litres capacity.
5. BOKASHI – WHAT IS IT?
Bokashi is a unique composting method that involves fermenting food waste using beneficial microbes. It’s perfect for breaking down materials that traditional compost bins struggle with, like meat, dairy and cooked food. Bokashi works indoors, is mess-free and helps speed up the composting process. Once the food has fermented, you can add it to your garden or another compost system to finish breaking down.
Quick tip: Press food down firmly and keep the lid airtight to avoid smells.
CHICKEN KEEPER BONUS TIP: BOKASHI BEYOND THE BIN
Bokashi isn’t just useful for composting food waste, it can also play a helpful role for chicken keepers. Used correctly, Bokashi bran can act as a gut-supporting feed additive, helping introduce beneficial microbes into a chicken’s diet (I even feed a bit to my cat). It can also be sprinkled lightly into bedding as an odour suppressant, reducing ammonia smells and improving conditions in the coop.
When Bokashi-treated bedding and manure are added to compost, the fermented microbes help accelerate decomposition, resulting in a more balanced, biologically active compost. That means better soil structure, healthier plants and a stronger soil food web.
Quick tip: Use Bokashi sparingly with chickens. Small amounts go a long way, and it works best as part of a wider composting and soil-building system.
Composting doesn’t have to be perfect – just practical
By using a few simple systems together, you can compost more waste, including food scraps and chicken bedding, faster, with fewer problems. Start small, keep it simple and let nature do the rest. Compost made well will be far superior to anything you can buy commercially, thanks to all those living microbes that power the process. If there’s one thing the soil has taught me, it’s that diversity is resilience. Whether that’s your compost inputs and process, your plants, your animals and even our human communities.
Thanks so much to Michael Kennard, Founder of Compost Club, for these tips. We’re looking forward to trying them out ourselves and hope you do too. You can find out more about composting, as well as details about upcoming workshops and courses at compostclub.online.You can also get 15% off compost on their site with code OMLET15.
In a world that’s increasingly instant, filtered and endlessly scrollable, we wanted to slow things right down with our latest content series: Capture It.
We sent disposable cameras to a group of chicken keepers and asked them to capture the every day moments of chicken keeping. No retakes. No instant previews. Just a limited roll of film and a flock.
We checked in with a few keepers after developing their photos, to see how the experience was for them. Several keepers told us how freeing it felt using a camera with a photo limit, and not being able to see each photo immediately afterwards.
“It makes you really think about the photograph, the experience becomes more mindful.” James
Everyone captured more of the small, often-overlooked moments: feeding hens by hand, frosty mornings at the coop, or simply watching the flock chatter their way into the day.
Again and again, keepers spoke about how chickens naturally pull you away from phones and into the moment. They teach rhythm: waking with the light, bedding down at dusk. They create routine and responsibility and they bring people together – whether it’s children racing to check for eggs first thing, or family members being greeted by the flock each morning.
“All the moments with hens beat scrolling. It’s grounding. It’s real.” Gemma
“It allowed me to be more present and in the moment.” Gemma
One keeper captured spending time with an older hen in her final days which is so special, and a reminder of how important it is to savour the little moments while you can.
We hope you enjoy these snaps, and thank you so much to all the lovely chicken keepers for getting involved in the Capture It series.
What will you do this season to stay more present and grounded?
While out in Austin for House Beautiful’s 2025 Whole Home Showcase, we hosted a chicken keeping workshop for a group of chicken novices. As part of the workshop, we covered all the joys that come with chicken keeping, including the daily fresh eggs. Chef Colter Peck taught the group how to make Japanese style fluffy egg pancakes using fresh eggs from the coop.
Here’s the recipe in case you fancy giving it a go (trust us, you do.)
Japanese Pancake Recipe
For the pancake batter:
30g all-purpose flour
2g baking powder
4g cornstarch
60 grams whole milk
80 grams egg yolks
4g vanilla paste
2g (Pinch) salt
For the meringue
4 large (120 grams) egg whites
40g caster white sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Grease a non-stick pan or electric flat top lightly with melted butter or neutral oil.
Combine all the pancake batter ingredients together in a mixing bowl, then whisk until combined and smooth.
Make the meringue in a medium separate bowl or utilise a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Whip the egg whites on medium/high until frothy. Then add in the sugar and continue to whip until stiff peaks form, at least 10 minutes by hand, and about 6 to 8 minutes using a stand mixer.
Add a third of the meringue to the pancake batter and gently fold, using a rubber spatula, until combined. Be careful not to beat the meringue and do not use a whisk for this stage of the process.
Fold in the rest of the meringue into the batter. The final batter should be fluffy, airy, and smooth, but very soft.
Heat the pan to low to medium-low heat. Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. If a piping bag isn’t available, you can use a cookie scoop or large spoon to scoop the batter onto the pan.
Pipe three even pancakes, about 3-inches each in diameter and pipe the batter high but lower than your pan lid. Space them apart as they’ll spread when cooking. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of water onto the pan, surrounding the pancakes to steam. Cover the pan with a high top lid and cook for five to seven minutes. The pancakes are ready to flip when the bottom edges are less glossy and bottoms are slightly browned.
Remove the lid slowly and carefully but quickly flip the pancakes. Using a thin spatula is key! Drizzle the rest of the water around the pancakes and cook for another five to seven minutes until both sides are golden brown.
Remove pancakes from the pan. Plate and drizzle with fresh, local honey, or any toppings you fancy!
Let us know if you give it a go by tagging us in your pictures!
While out in Austin, Texas for the 8th annual Whole Home Showcase, we got to explore the beautiful spaces, each designed by a different creative, and each with its own independent style.
We couldn’t leave without letting our hens have a tour of their own, so we paired the different chicken breeds, and their classic traits, with the beautifully styled spaces of the home. What do you think?
White Leghorn in the Bathroom, designed by @jointhebandd
The most independent breed wasn’t following the flock to the plushier rooms, she booked herself straight into the ensuite. Always alert, she’s the kind of guest who appreciates good lighting and a bit of privacy.
Black Copper Maran in the Upper Living Room, designed by @rteriorstudio
This hen was immediately drawn to a calm, collected perch away from chaos. The cosy tones and relaxed textures made it perfect for the quieter type who prefers a chilled evening in.
Rhode Island Red in the Guest Suite, designed by @leahoconnelldesign
Obviously, we matched our boldest hen to the boldest room. Loud patterns and layered prints? Right up her alley. This confident queen strutted straight in like she owned the place – and honestly, she kind of did.
Welsummer on the Primary Deck, designed by @caitlincreerinteriors
This beautiful social space was made for the chatty chicken. With its airy seating and soft tones, it invited both conversation and comfort. Long evening of girly goss and snacks on the sofa, pending.
Welsummer on the Balcony, designed by @amberinteriors
The hen who also loves the freedom to explore called dibs on the balcony. Surrounded by leafy greens and open skies, she was in her element. Fresh air and room to roam, just how she likes it.
These hens certainly held their own at the 2025 Whole Home Showcase, but let’s be honest, nothing beats a space designed just for them. With our Eglu coops, every chicken gets their dream home: safe, stylish, and perfectly suited to all personalities.
When it comes to raising happy, healthy chickens, ensuring proper chicken hydration by providing clean, fresh water is one of the most important things you can do. But with so many chicken drinker options on the market, how do you know which one is right for your flock? At Omlet, we believe that every backyard chicken keeper deserves a drinker that’s not only reliable and hygienic, but also makes life easier for you and your hens. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular chicken drinker types and highlight their pros and cons.
Traditional Gravity-Fed Drinkers
Overview: Gravity-fed drinkers are a staple in many backyard coops. These typically consist of a reservoir that sits atop a shallow tray. As chickens drink, gravity pulls more water into the tray, keeping it filled.
Pros:
Simple to use and set up
Inexpensive and widely available
Cons:
Water is exposed to dirt, bedding, and droppings, making it prone to contamination
Algae can quickly build up in the tray, especially in warm, sunny weather
Can be easily tipped over by enthusiastic hens
In winter, water in the tray freezes quickly
In summer, water in the tray warms up above optimal drinking temperature fast
Our Take: Gravity-fed drinkers are a budget-friendly option, but they require frequent cleaning, checking and refilling. For busy chicken keepers or those with larger flocks, the maintenance can become a daily chore.
Nipple Drinkers
Overview: Nipple drinkers deliver water through small valves that release droplets when pecked by a chicken. These are typically attached to buckets, pipes, or large reservoirs, offering a more enclosed system than open trays.
Pros:
Keeps water clean and free from debris and droppings
Reduces spillage and waste
Suitable for larger flocks with less frequent refilling
Cons:
Chickens may need time to learn how to use the nipples
Some models may drip or leak, leading to damp spots in the coop
Our Take: Nipple drinkers are a step up in hygiene and efficiency, making them a popular choice for many chicken keepers. By keeping water enclosed and only dispensing it when pecked, these systems help reduce contamination and keep your flock’s water fresher for longer.
Cup Drinkers
Overview: Cup drinkers feature small cups that fill with water when chickens peck at a trigger or automatically refill when the water level drops as they drink. Like nipple drinkers, they’re often attached to buckets or pipes.
Pros:
Water stays somewhat cleaner than in open trays
Chickens can drink easily from the cup
Less spillage compared to open drinkers
Cons:
Cups can still collect dirt, droppings and bedding
Cups with triggers can clog and break over time
Water in cups freezes in winter, and warms up in summer
Our Take: Cup drinkers offer an easy drinking experience for poultry, with reduced waste from spill, but they still require regular cleaning and can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
DIY and Open Bowl Drinkers
Overview: Some chicken keepers opt for simple bowls, buckets, or even repurposed containers as poultry drinkers.
Pros:
Extremely affordable
Easy to clean and refill
Cons:
Water gets dirty very quickly
Bowls can be tipped over or stepped in frequently
No protection from freezing or contamination
Our Take: While DIY solutions can work in a pinch, they’re not ideal for long-term use. Your flock deserves better than muddy, contaminated water.
Why the Omlet Drinker is the Best Choice for Your Flock
At Omlet, we set out to solve the common problems faced by chicken keepers everywhere. The result? The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Drinker – a game-changer for backyard flocks.
We listened to real chicken keepers and designed a drinker that tackles freezing temperatures, contaminated water, daily refreshes and bullying at the water source. Every feature is crafted with your flock’s comfort and your convenience in mind, so you can spend more time enjoying your chickens and less time worrying about their water. With the Omlet Drinker, you’re giving your hens the best in hydration, hygiene, and health.
Key Features That Set Us Apart
Insulated Design: Our insulated drinker helps stop water from freezing, ensuring your chickens have access to fresh water even in the coldest months. No more breaking ice or hauling warm water to the coop on frosty mornings.
Clean Water, Always: The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Drinker is designed to keep water clean from debris and algae. With a fully enclosed system, you’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your flock.
Nipples and Cups Included: We know every flock is different, so we include both nipples and cups. Whether your hens prefer pecking or sipping, you can choose which to use to suit them best.
Anti-Bully 360° Design: Our unique 360-degree layout features five founts, so multiple chickens can drink at once, without crowding or bullying. Every hen gets her fair share, even during the morning rush.
Anti-Roost Lid: Tired of chickens perching on your drinker and making a mess? Our anti-roost lid keeps your water clean and poop-free, and your hens feet on the ground.
Omlet Drinker vs. The Rest: A Quick Comparison
Omlet and Your Flock
Choosing the right drinker isn’t just about convenience – it’s about the health and happiness of your flock. With the Omlet Insulated Drinker, you get peace of mind knowing your chickens have access to clean, fresh water year-round. Less work for you and a better life for your hens. You’ll notice your flock is more content and productive when their basic needs are met with ease. Plus, the durable plastic construction and easy-to-clean design ensure your investment lasts season after season. Give your chickens the gift of reliable hydration and watch your coop thrive with Omlet by your side.
There’s nothing quite like seeing our products out in the real world, doing what they do best. So for this instalment of ‘in the wild with…’, we caught up with the wonderful Katherine Salom and her flock in Texas. You can follow Katherine’s chicken-keeping journey at @gulfcoastcluckers, where she shares content of her flock (including lots of Malaysian Serama bantams which are the smallest chicken breed in the world!) as well as top chicken-keeping tips, and updates to her coop setup.
Living in a mostly hot climate, her hens are thirsty for cleaner sips, and cooler, fresher water all year round, here’s how it’s transformed her daily chicken-keeping routine.
Describe the new Omlet Drinker in 3 words:
Sturdy, innovative, and functional.
How has it impacted your daily chicken routine?
It’s made watering my flock so much easier! I don’t have to worry about constantly refilling or cleaning out nasty drinkers anymore. I have experienced no algae growth which is a problem I often face here in the Texas heat. It keeps the water clean, cool, and off the ground, which means it stays clean. The ability to see how much water is left without having to open it up makes chicken chores easy! If I do notice a dirty cup, you can flush it with a quick spray of the hose and it’s clean!
How does it fit in with your other Omlet products?
Perfectly! It matches the sleek, practical design of my Eglu and Walk-In Run setups. The colours are cohesive and look so nice together. Everything from Omlet just works together so well, it makes my whole chicken coop look tidy and intentional!
How have the chickens taken to it? Did it take them long to get used to it? Is there anything you did that made them warm to it more quickly?
They figured it out fast! Chickens are curious, so once they saw me set down the new Drinker, they were all over it. I gave it a little tap to show them where the water came from, and within minutes they were drinking like pros.
Would you recommend the Drinker to other chicken keepers?
Absolutely! It’s one of those upgrades that you don’t realize how much you’ll love until you have it. I haven’t ever found a chicken drinker that I love, until now, and this one checks all the boxes! I was refilling drinkers from a different brand a few weeks back before I left town and the plastic snapped on two of them, making them trash. It left me in a bit of a predicament, but the Omlet Drinker is built so strongly, that would never happen; it’s worth the money for a quality product that will last for years. It keeps things cleaner, saves time, and makes caring for my flock a whole lot easier. Plus, like all Omlet products, it’s built to last.
Katherine’s experience shows exactly what the Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Drinker was designed for: cleaner water, fewer chores, and reliable performance in every season. Whether it’s paired with an Omlet setup or added to a more traditional coop, it’s built to handle the demands of real backyard flocks. A small upgrade that makes a big difference, are you ready to make watering effortless, all year long?
Switching your flock to a chicken nipple drinker is one of the best upgrades you can make for your backyard chickens and coop. It keeps water completely clean and stops the chore of ditching dirty water everyday. If you’re new to this system, you might wonder how to train your hens to use a chicken nipple drinker. The good news is that with a little patience and the right approach, your hens will adapt quickly and confidently.
Why Choose a Chicken Nipple Drinker?
Traditional drinkers can get dirty fast, especially when curious hens scratch bedding into them or perch on the rim. A chicken nipple drinker delivers water only when a hen pecks at the small metal nipple, keeping the supply clean from inside the drinker straight to your hens’ beak. It’s a simple change that ensures your hens have access to clean water all the time.
Getting Started: Preparation is Key
Before introducing the new drinker, make sure it’s installed at the right height – in line with your hens’ beaks, so they have to reach up slightly to peck at the nipple. Fill it with fresh, cool water. If possible, set up the nipple drinker alongside your hens’ usual water source for a day or two, so they can get used to seeing it.
Step-by-Step Training
Remove other water sources: Once you’re ready to train, take away all other poultry drinkers. This encourages your hens to investigate the nipples when they get thirsty.
Demonstrate the nipple: Gently tap the nipple with your finger until water drips out; this helps your hens associate the nipples with their water source. Curious hens will often come over to investigate. You can also guide a hen’s beak to the nipple and gently press it so she sees water appear.
Encourage exploration: Some hens catch on immediately, while others need a little more encouragement. If your flock seems hesitant, try adding a small amount of a treat on the nipple to encourage your poultry to peck and discover the release of water.
Monitor closely: For the first few hours, keep a close eye on your flock. Make sure each hen discovers how the nipple works before you remove other water sources. If you have a large flock, check that the more timid birds aren’t being crowded out by dominant hens.
Be patient: Most hens learn within a day. If you have older birds or a particularly cautious flock, it might take a bit longer. Stay patient and keep demonstrating as needed.
Troubleshooting Tips
Double-check that the nipples are working smoothly and the drinker is at the right height for all your hens. If you have a mixed size flock, you may need a couple of poultry drinkers at different heights to suit everyone.
For chicks, wait until they’re at least a week old before introducing nipple drinkers, and always supervise closely
Omlet and your flock
The OmletInsulated Chicken Nipple Drinker not only ensures water remains completely clean from dirt and poo from inside the sealed source to your chickens’ beak, but the light blocking body also stops algae build up inside before it starts. Other nipple drinkers freeze in winter, but the innovative insulation of the Omlet Drinker keeps water fluid for 10 hours at -20C.
Choosing the right drinker for your chickens is essential for their health and happiness. Understanding when to use cups or nipples can help you get the most out of your setup and ensure your flock always has access to clean, fresh water. By selecting the right attachment for your chickens’ needs and adjusting as they grow or as the seasons change, you can support their nutrition and wellbeing, making daily care more efficient.
How to choose the right drinker for your flock
Choosing the right drinker for your flock means considering the specific needs of your chickens at every stage and in every season. Young chicks often do best with cup drinkers, as the open design makes it easy for them to drink and for you to keep an eye on their water intake. As your flock matures, nipple drinkers become a practical option for keeping water cleaner and reducing waste, especially in larger groups or in environments where hygiene is a top priority.
The ideal drinker is one that doesn’t force you to pick just one method. The OmletInsulated Stay Clean Drinker gives you both options in a single, easy-to-use system. You can start with cups for your chicks, then switch to nipples as your birds grow or as your needs change. By choosing a drinker that adapts to your flock, you ensure that your chickens always have access to fresh, clean water, making daily care simpler.
When to use cups on the Omlet chicken drinker
Cups are a great choice for certain situations and stages of your flock’s life. They provide an open, familiar drinking experience that many chickens, especially young chicks, find easy to use. The open design allows poultry to drink freely, without any training, however in winter the water in the cups will freeze and will need to be checked and any ice broken everyday.
When to use nipples on the Omlet chicken drinker
Nipple attachments are ideal for keeping water clean and flowing all year. Nipples dispense water only when a chicken pecks at them, meaning the clean water is delivered from inside the closed source straight to your chicken’s beak. This keeps every drop crystal clean and free from dirt and debris. This makes nipples a smart option to reduce water waste and frequency of cleaning. However, nipples take some training for chickens who haven’t used them before and need to be placed at the perfect height to make it easy for your hens to drink.
As well as being best for keeping water clean, using nipples with the Omlet Chicken Drinker is best for use in extreme temperatures as the water remains inside the insulated drinker where it keeps a consistent temperature until the moment the chicken pecks it, preventing water warming up in summer and freezing in winter.
Tips for switching between cups and nipples
One of many benefits of the OmletInsulated Chicken Drinker is the ability to easily switch between cups and nipples. However, it’s best to use one type at a time rather than mixing both as nipples and cups require the drinker to be positioned at different heights for your chickens to be able to drink from them.
If you’re transitioning from cups to nipples, give your flock a little time to adjust and make sure everyone understands how to use the new attachment. You can encourage them by gently tapping the nipple so they see water being released and placing their favourite treat on the nipple. Ensure chickens still have access to an open, cup source of water so they don’t go without while learning. Always monitor your chickens when you make a change to ensure everyone is drinking and staying hydrated.
If you have a mixed-age flock, consider having multiple drinkers so young chickens can access cups while learning to use nipples like their elders.
Why the Omlet insulated stay clean drinker is the smart choice
The Omlet Insulated Stay Clean Drinker is designed to adapt to your flock’s changing needs. Its insulated construction keeps water cool in summer and prevents freezing in winter, so your chickens always have access to fresh flowing water. The stay-clean features reduce the time you spend on cleaning and replacing water, and the flexible design, made from durable plastic, means you can quickly switch between cups and nipples as desired. With the ability to choose the right attachment for your poultry and the peace of mind that comes from a well-designed, insulated drinker, you can focus more on enjoying your chickens and less on daily chores.
Quick reference: when to use each attachment
Plastic Cups:
Best for chicks or hens who haven’t used nipples before
Best for immediate drinking, no training required
Nipples:
Keeps water cleaner
Keeps water at the right temperature in extreme weather
Omlet and your flock
With the OmletInsulated Stay Clean Drinker, you have the flexibility to provide the best hydration solution for your chickens at every stage. By understanding when to use cups and when to switch to nipples, you can keep your flock healthy, your run cleaner, and your daily routine simpler. The Omlet drinker is designed to make chicken keeping straightforward, reliable, and adaptable – so you can always feel confident you’re giving your flock the care they deserve.
If you’re searching for the perfect gift to make a chicken lover’s Christmas extra special, you’re in the right place. Whether your flock rules the garden or your favourite cockerel is the star of the coop, our handpicked selection of chicken gifts is designed to bring joy to every hen and their humans. From clever coop upgrades to playful toys, you’ll find gifts for chicken lovers that add a little extra cheer to every peck and cluck. Make this Christmas unforgettable for your chickens with presents for every garden flock.
Chicken Toys and Enrichment
Poppy and Pendant Peck Toys
Give your flock a festive treat with our Poppy and Pendant Peck Toys for chickens. Thoughtfully designed to keep your chickens happy, healthy, and entertained all year long. As your hens peck, they’re rewarded with a sprinkle of feed, treats, or grit, turning every peck into a delightful surprise. It’s the perfect way to keep your girls busy, especially during winter when the garden isn’t offering up as many tasty bugs and greens. And from just £10 each, these chicken toys make the perfect stocking filler for flock raisers young and old.
Freestanding Chicken Perch
Bring a touch of whimsy and adventure to your flock’s world with the Freestanding Chicken Perch, This one-of-a-kind perching station transforms your chicken run into a playful haven, inviting your hens to climb, balance, and perch to their hearts’ content. Customise with as many of the sturdy eucalyptus branches as you like at any height or angle to create a playground that’s as unique as your flock. The portable design means you can easily move the perches for a fresh view or a new challenge, keeping your chickens curious and active all year round. Add a dash of authentic farm charm with the optional weathervane topper for the perfect gift for the stylish chicken lover in your life.
Caddi Chicken Treat Holder
Treat your flock to a cleaner, more engaging snack time with the Caddi Chicken Treat Holder. Designed to keep fresh fruits and veggies off the ground, the Caddi not only promotes healthier eating for your hens but also helps maintain a tidier run and reduces unwanted pests. No more wasted treats trampled underfoot—just happy, well-fed chickens enjoying every bite. The Caddi’s clever swinging design turns snack time into a fun foraging adventure, keeping your flock entertained as they peck and play. With its adjustable nylon string and easy-to-use hook, you can hang the Caddi anywhere in your Walk in Chicken Run. It’s a simple way to add a little extra joy to your hens’ day and a thoughtful Christmas gift for any chicken keeper this festive season.
Chicken Swing
Add a playful twist to your flock’s routine with the Chicken Swing, a perch that turns their favourite activity into a swinging adventure. Designed with a textured surface for secure footing, this exciting toy invites chickens of all ages and breeds to hop on and enjoy a gentle sway, all on their own. It’s the perfect way to keep your hens active, curious, and entertained, even when the backyard is quiet. Easy to hang in any coop or chicken run, the Chicken Swing can be positioned low for younger or more cautious birds, then raised as their confidence grows. It’s a simple, joyful addition that encourages natural movement and brings a little extra fun to your flock’s home.
Chicken Coop Accessories
Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door
Gift peace of mind with the Omlet Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door, a smart, reliable coop door opener that puts 24/7 coop control right in your pocket. With the Omlet app, you can check the status of your chicken coop door, whether you’re at home or away. Compatible with Alexa and Google Home, it’s never been easier to keep your flock safe and sound, even when you’re not around. The Smart Autodoor is designed to fit seamlessly with the Eglu Cube, Eglu Pro, wooden chicken coops and wire runs. Set your hens’ schedule by the clock or program the door to open and close with the sunrise and sunset—no more early mornings or late nights for you! With weatherproof, shatterproof construction and sophisticated sensors that keep dawdling hens safe, this is a gift that brings convenience and reliability to all coops, all year round.
Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Waterer
Keep your flock happily hydrated this winter with the Insulated Stay Clean Chicken Drinker, thoughtfully designed with thick walls to stop water from freezing, even on the chilliest mornings. The clever anti-roost lid and enclosed design keeps your chickens’ water protected from debris and algae so your chickens always have access to fresh, flowing water. With five founts arranged in an anti-bully 360° layout, every hen gets a fair sip, and the included nipples and cups lets you and your hens choose how they like to drink. New for Christmas 2025, this is the gift every chicken lover hopes to be unwrapping on December 25th.
Smart Chicken Coop Fan
Give your flock the gift of fresh, healthy air with the Omlet Smart Chicken Coop Fan. Designed for easy assembly and compatibility with both wooden chicken coops and the Omlet Eglu Pro, this clever fan quietly expels stuffy, humid air from inside the coop to draw in fresh air from outside, helping to regulate temperature and moisture for a healthier home. With the Omlet app, you can control the Smart Fan remotely, set it to run automatically based on time or temperature, and even see live in-coop readings via Wi-Fi. Choose from three fan speeds, set multiple schedules, and share access with friends or family—all from your phone. It’s a thoughtful, practical addition to any coop for fresher air all year round.
Chicken Coops and Runs
Eglu Pro Chicken Coop for 10 Large Hens
Has “chicken maths” grown your flock? The Eglu Pro chicken coop is designed to make life with up to 10 large chickens a breeze. Perfect for both seasoned keepers and those just starting their chicken journey, this coop is built to last with zero maintenance, all replaceable parts, and a 10-year worry-free warranty. Cleaning is a cinch with smooth, wipe-clean surfaces and slide-out trays. Safety comes standard too thanks to heavy-duty steel mesh runs with anti-tunnel skirts that keep your flock secure, while adjustable vents and twin-wall insulation ensure year-round comfort. Thoughtful touches like sturdy wheels for easy moving, big doors for quick access, and the innovative LuxPanel for just the right amount of light means this coop ticks every box on any chicken lover’s wishlist. And the best part? Collecting the gift of fresh eggs every day of the year from the nest box.
Walk in Chicken Run
Give your hens room to roam with a Walk In Chicken Run, a spacious, secure haven designed for curious explorers and their devoted keepers. With plenty of room for bug chasing, wing stretching, and feather preening, this run is tall enough for you to step inside and spend time with your girls. Engineered with strong steel mesh, an anti-tunnel skirt, and clever predator-proof locks, the Walk In Run keeps your flock safe while blending beautifully into your garden with its dark green mesh. Enrichment is at the heart of every happy flock, and the Walk In Run makes it easy to create a chicken playground with accessories like the PoleTree chicken perch, Peck Toys, Caddi Treat Holders, and the Chicken Swing. Compatible with any coop and endlessly expandable thanks to its modular design, this run grows with your flock (hello, chicken math). Thoughtful features like a stable-style door, easy-access locks, and optional partitions mean you can enjoy every moment with your hens—worry-free.
Omlet and your flock
However you spend the Christmas season with your flock, sharing a little extra joy and comfort makes this time of year even more special. Thoughtful gifting, whether it’s new toys, a coop upgrade, or clever accessories, can make life better for your chickens and bring a smile to any chicken keeper. Happy chickens bring a sense of calm and satisfaction to any garden, and every peck, cluck, and egg is a reminder of the simple pleasures that come from caring for your hens. Giving a gift that enriches their lives is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and deepen your connection with your flock.
If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas presents to make your cat’s Christmas truly memorable, you’re in the right place. Whether your feline rules the living room or your kitten is the heart of your home, our carefully curated selection of cat gifts is filled with innovative ideas designed to bring cheer and delight to both cats and their humans. From thoughtful home upgrades to engaging treats and toys, you’ll discover stress-free gifts that bring a little extra happiness to every purr.
Cat Beds
Donut Cat Bed
The Maya Donut Elevated Cat Bed by Omlet is designed to elevate your cat’s comfort and your home’s style. Crafted with premium faux fur and a deep, supportive filling, this bed offers a plush, donut-shaped nest that’s perfect for cats who love to curl up. The soft, warm texture and generous cushion provide a sense of security and tranquillity, making it an inviting spot for restful cat naps. The removable, machine-washable cover ensures easy cleaning, so your cat’s bed stays fresh and your home remains tidy.
With a choice ofstylish feet, the Maya Donut Bed blends seamlessly with your décor while keeping your cat elevated and comfortable. The deep cushion is designed to hold its shape and offer lasting support, making it ideal for cats up to 5kg who appreciate a cosy, calming retreat. If you’re looking to treat your cat to a bed that combines luxury, practicality, and thoughtful design, the Maya Donut Elevated Cat Bed is a standout choice.
Nest Cat Bed
Enhance your home with the addition of theNest Cat Bed, designed for cats who love to curl up in the cosiest spots. This bed can be used on its own or added to your Indoor Cat Tree as part of your Freestyle setup. Crafted from upholstery-grade fabrics in elegant prints, the Nest Cat Bed offers both comfort and a touch of classic style blending beautifully into any home.
Tipi Cat Bed
For cats who like their naps in cosy nooks, theTipi Cat Bed is a wonderful addition. This hideout offers a private spot for sleep or quiet observation and can be used on its own or placed on a bamboo platform within your Freestyle setup. Made from upholstery-grade fabrics, the Tipi blends comfort and style for both you and your cat.
Cat Scratching Posts
The Switch Cat Scratching Post is designed to keep cats engaged and active. With 12 light programs, seven colour settings, three brightness levels, and seven speed options, you can tailor the experience to suit your cat’s mood and keep playtime fun and unpredictable. The vertical grooves encourage natural scratching and stretching, supporting healthy claws and relaxed muscles. Whether you’re home for an evening of play or heading out for the day, the Switch offers a smart way to keep indoor cats entertained and stimulated.
Built with durability and sustainability in mind, the Switch stands 85cm tall—50% bigger than the average cat when fully extended—and features a weighted base for stability during even the most energetic play sessions.Its replaceable, biodegradable sisal sleeve reduces waste, while the bamboo base and thoughtful design details blend seamlessly into your home. The Switch is the last cat scratcher you’ll ever have to buy and the perfect gift for cats and their humans.
Cat Trees
Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree
The Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree is thoughtfully designed to give your cat a playground that’s as unique as they are. With adjustable poles that fit ceilings up to 4.4m and a range ofcustomisable accessories, you can create a setup that truly matches your cat’s personality and needs. Whether your cat loves to climb, scratch, or lounge, the Freestyle system allows you to add, move, or replace individual parts as your cat’s preferences change. Fromsteps andplatforms tohammocks anddens, every detail encourages natural behaviours and provides enrichment.
Built with an aluminium core, durable bamboo, and hard-wearing fabrics, the Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree is built to last and designed with sustainability in mind. Removable sisal and cardboard scratching surfaces mean you only replace what’s necessary, reducing waste over time. Its slim footprint fits any room, maximizing vertical space for play and rest, while a choice of cushion colours lets you match your home’s style. Whether you have a playful kitten, a senior cat, or an indoor feline in need of more activity, the Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree offers endless setup options to support your cat through every stage of life.
Freestyle Outdoor Cat Tree
The Freestyle Outdoor Cat Tree is designed to bring out the best in your cat’s natural instincts, offering a customisable playground for yourcatio. With adjustable aluminium poles ranging from 1.7m to 4.4m, you can build a vertical adventure space that adapts as your cat grows. Durable, recyclable parts and quick-fit brackets make it easy to addscratchers,platforms,hammocks,bridges, anddens—creating treetop walkways and lookout spots that keep your cat engaged and active. Every element is engineered to support climbing, stretching, and exploring, so your cat can enjoy the outdoors in a way that’s tailored to their age and abilities.
Built to withstand the elements, the Freestyle Outdoor Cat Tree features rust-proof materials and easy-to-clean cushion covers, ensuring it remains a favourite spot in any weather. Its modular design means you can continue to expand and refresh your cat’s playground over time, keeping curiosity and playfulness alive. Whether your cat is a seasoned explorer or just discovering the joys of outdoor play, the Freestyle Outdoor Cat Tree offers a dynamic space for exercise, relaxation, and connection—making it a thoughtful addition for any cat lovers’ gift list.
Catios and Cat Runs
Omlet’sLarge Outdoor Cat Enclosure is designed to let cats of all breeds safely enjoy the outdoors, giving them space to play, exercise, and explore without worry. The sturdy, dark green mesh blends seamlessly into your garden, so you can offer your cats a secure environment without compromising on style. With a modular design that starts at 1.8m x 1.8m andeasy-to-add extensions andtunnels, you can create an enclosure that fits your space and your furry friends this Christmas and beyond. Every detail, from the heavy-duty steel mesh to the stable-style door and secure locks, is crafted for peace of mind and long-lasting use.
Omlet and your cat
Choosing the perfect Christmas gifts for your cat is all about celebrating their unique personality and making their world a little brighter. Whether you’re creating an outdoor adventure with theFreestyle Outdoor Cat Tree, offering cosy comfort with theMaya Donut Elevated Cat Bed, or adding a playful hideaway like theTipi orNest Cat Bed, each Omlet product is thoughtfully designed to enrich your cat’s life and complement your home. With durable materials, customizable features, and timeless style, these gifts are made to bring joy to both you and your feline companion—this Christmas and beyond.
Chickens are more than just the pet that lays breakfast. They’re curious, special and surprisingly intelligent, which is why many keepers wonder: Can I train my chickens? With some patience, consistency, and the right approach, chickens can learn tricks, routines, and even respond to recall just like more traditional household pets.
Can chickens be trained?
Chickens are smart and have excellent memories. They can recognise the faces of humans and fellow flock members, remember locations of food, and even solve simple puzzles. But their training is less about domination and more about communication. Using positive reinforcement, treats, and repetition, chickens quickly learn to associate cues with actions — and thrive on the mental stimulation they provide. Here are some of the things you can teach your chickens.
Come when called (recall)
One of the most practical skills is teaching chickens to come when called. By using a specific sound, like a whistle or a cluck, and rewarding them with treats, your hens will soon flock to you in anticipation of food. This is particularly helpful when needing to call your chickens in from free ranging.
Return to the coop
Chickens can learn routines, like returning to their coop at night. Some of this is a natural instinct to roost, but with tools like an Autodoor and Coop Light, your chickens will quickly learn where their bed is, and when to head there. Training your chickens to roost at specific times will help keep them safe from chicken predators and make evening round ups easier.
Obstacle courses and tricks
Some chickens enjoy obstacle courses or “tricks” for enrichment. Jumping over low barriers, walking through tunnels, or navigating mini agility courses can give chickens vital mental stimulation. You can make your own temporary obstacle courses from boxes or repurposed materials, or use a Freestanding Chicken Perch or Chicken Swing for more durable elements.
Target training
Using a stick pointer, chickens can learn to touch or follow a target. This skill is a foundation for more advanced tricks and can also help with handling and chicken health checks. It’s an impressive feat to show your friends, while serving practical purposes.
How to train your chickens: step-by-step
Step 1: create positive associations
Begin by identifying your chickens’ favourite treats, like mealworms, sunflower seeds, or small pieces of fruit. Use these exclusively during training to make the connection clear. This will make your hen eagerly anticipate training sessions and keep their attention throughout.
Step 2: start small
Focus on one skill at a time. For example, if you’re teaching your chickens to come when called, practice only calling them across a cohort distance at first. Patience is key, and short, frequent sessions work better than long, infrequent ones. Start off with 5-10 minutes of training daily and gradually increase over time.
Step 3: use clear cues
Use the same verbal cue, hand signal, or whistle every time. Consistency helps your chickens understand exactly what you want from them. And, by keeping the same cues, it’s easier to teach the same tricks to multiple flock members.
Step 4: reward immediately
The reward should follow the desired behaviour instantly. Chickens are quick learners, but they need to make the connection between action and reward. Positive reinforcement is the fastest way to your hens’ hearts.
Step 5: repeat and expand
Once a chicken has mastered a skill, gradually increase the challenge. Extend recall distances, add mild obstacles, or introduce distractions. Keep sessions fun and positive, and your flock will continue to improve.
The intelligence of chickens
It’s easy to underestimate chickens, but studies have shown they possess cognitive abilities comparable to some mammals. Chickens can:
Recognise over 100 individual faces, both human and avian.
Solve simple puzzles and understand cause-and-effect.
Plan for the future, like hiding food for later consumption.
Learn from observation, taking lessons from each other.
Understanding their intelligence not only makes training possible but also highlights why enrichment is so important. Mental stimulation keeps chickens happy, healthy, and less prone to boredom-related behaviours.
Why training is useful for chicken keepers
Training chickens is beneficial for birds and keepers alike. It keeps your flock safe and engaged while simplifying your routine and creating deeper bonds. Having your chickens come when they’re called, engaging in activities with them, and providing them with enrichment supports healthy, happy flocks (and raisers). With plenty of patience and positive reinforcement, training chickens is not only possible — it’s rewarding.
Omlet and your flock
At Omlet, we believe that enrichment is important, but shouldn’t be complicated. Our chicken products support the natural behaviours of flocks while being mindful of your workload. Our chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken perches are the foundation for setups that work with you and your hens to make every day a rewarding one with your flock.
As the golden days of summer fade into the crisp mornings of autumn, chicken keepers prepare for a new set of challenges and rhythms for their flock. Egg laying slows, feathers begin to fall faster than the leaves, and coops need some extra attention before the cold weather of winter sets in. In this autumn chicken keeping guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to help your hens stay healthy and happy all season long.
The changes of autumn
Autumn brings changes — big and small — for chickens and their keepers. From shifts in schedules to health considerations, the cooler weather and shorter days spark significant transitions. Here are the highlights of autumn as a chicken keeper, along with how to support your flock throughout autumn.
Molting mindfulness
Most people think of falling leaves being the first sign of autumn. But chicken keepers have a different sign of autumn: finding feathers on the ground. This annual phenomenon is a natural process called moulting, where chickens shed their dingy, weather-worn feathers and regrow fresh, dense plumage for winter. As hens go through this wardrobe change, they can take on a bedraggled or patchy appearance. Moulting takes a lot of energy, and hens will redirect their expenditure from egg laying to feather regrowth, causing a dip or pause in egg production.
The entire process lasts anywhere from 6-14 weeks, depending on individual hens and their overall health. Supporting your chickens through a moult will help them recover faster. Some tips for helping your hens are:
Increase their protein intake during their annual moulting cycle by offering a 18-20% protein layer feed, dried mealworms or soldier fly larvae, and alfalfa hay. The increased protein will help support the energy demands of regrowing new feathers.
Avoid overhandling your hens during their moult. Their new feathers (called pin feathers) are sensitive to the touch, and handling them may cause pain or discomfort.
Provide a draft-free chicken coop to keep them warm, and use weather covers for their run to shield them from the elements.
Easing off of eggs
The process of laying an egg starts with light entering a hen’s eye. Since the amount of daylight dwindles during the autumn, there’s less light to trigger ovulation (the start of the egg-laying process). The fewer daylight hours combined with the physical strain of moulting causes most hens to slow or even stop their egg production for a time. Some hens may return to their normal egg laying schedule once the hardest part of their molt is over, while others may take a sabbatical from egg laying until the spring.
Storing fresh eggs in preparation for this seasonal drop in production will help ensure you have a steady supply of eggs for your family throughout the autumn. “Glassing” eggs is a favourite method among chicken keepers. To store eggs long term, place fresh, unwashed eggs in an airtight glass container, fill with water and sprinkle pickling lime. These “glassed” eggs can be kept for up to 18 months at room temperature.
Busting boredom
Flocks thrive on activity and enrichment, and with less time to roam in the daylight, boredom can become an issue. Bored chickens may resort to picking at each other’s feathers or show less-than-desirable behaviours.
Here are some ideas to help keep your hens entertained:
A stimulating environment will help reduce stress and keep your chickens’ minds and bodies active and engaged.
Prepare for predators
Colder months can bring chicken predators closer to coops as their natural food sources dwindle. Foxes, raccoons, rodents, and other opportunistic eaters may test your setup’s defenses. Check for any gaps or weak points in your chicken coop and run, and store feed in airtight containers.
If your chickens free range during the day, keep them close to home with chicken fencing to help deter unwanted attention from predators. Or, even better, keep your flock in a fully enclosed Walk In Chicken Run to surround them in protection.
Weatherproofing
Autumn’s mix of wind, rain, and dropping temperatures makes weatherproofing your setup a must. Weatherproof run covers will shield your flock from moisture, and additional covers on the sides will block gusty winds. Opt for warmer bedding like straw in the coop to provide additional insulation, and make sure the coop is free from drafts.
Omlet and your flock
Autumn may bring some challenges to your flock, but it’s also a milder season that brings the opportunity to prepare for the winter months ahead. At Omlet, we’ve designed insulated chicken coops, secure chicken runs, and enriching chicken toys and perches to keep your hens safe and healthy all year round. Don’t settle for unsupportive setups — experience chicken keeping the Omlet way.
Have you ever heard of chicken math? Jennifer from Kittanning was hit before she even knew what was coming. Her journey started with an impulse purchase of six hens, quickly growing to a flock of 18 chickens, two Eglu Cubes and a Walk In Run. We sat down with Jennifer and learned all about how her flock came to be.
Obviously, we’ve come to chat to you about chickens. And you’ve got a couple of Cubes, a Walk In Run, and how many chickens?
We have 18 chickens. I decided to get some because I was buying eggs from people with backyard chickens and loved the fresh taste. We have a camp up north where a lady sells fresh eggs, and I’d also been getting some from a nearby friend. So I thought I’d just have some of my own.
Basically you thought, why not? And obviously you guys have got the space here. You’ve got a lovely amount of land. So, then what happens?
I tried to convince my husband to let us get chickens. I kept asking, and usually, if I want something, I can get it. So we started looking into different coop options. We considered modifying a shed like a friend did, but it would’ve been a lot of work – and we weren’t up for that.
This was all around November 2022, and who gets chickens in November? Nobody. But I started looking anyway. There was a local poultry farm that I called to see if they had any chickens, and they did – but they said if I wanted them I’d have to get them right now. I was working from home, and Matt was out at work. I looked at my calendar and thought, okay… and went and got six chickens.
But wait, you hadn’t even got a coop yet, right?
Right! So I brought the chickens home in a big dog cage, finished my work day, and waited for Matt to get back. When he arrived, I told him, “There may, or may not, be chickens in the car.” His reaction was, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” We moved them into the garage using a larger dog crate and realised we really needed to figure out our setup.
Then I remembered the people from Rent The Chicken recommended checking their website. Rent The Chicken is a local business where you can rent chickens and a coop for the nicer seasons, then return them. It’s really cool. Their website featured Omlet, which caught our interest. It was plastic, easy to clean, and simple to assemble. We thought it was the perfect solution, so we bought the Eglu Cube with a 9-foot run.
I think people get it with the Omlet design, you know? They look at it and go okay, I can slide that out, I can hose that down – I can figure that out.
Exactly, the ability to hose it down was a huge plus for me. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so I loved that we could take it apart and pressure wash it without worrying about bugs burrowing in, like with wood. Plus, the chicken coops at Tractor Supply seemed quite chintzy.
Anyway, I brought home six chickens on Wednesday, and on Friday when Matt got home, he said, “Oh, I see they’ve multiplied.” I had gone back that day and got four more.
I’m always hearing about chicken math, but I’ve never heard of a case where it hits so fast. So, you started with the one cube and 9ft run, how did you go from 10 to 18 chickens, two cubes and an extended Walk In Run?
The 9ft run was great, but it was short. We had a hard time getting in and out. So I said, that’s it, we need a Walk In Run – that’s what we bought next. It was a game changer. Then in the spring, I put my name in again to get more chickens.
This was following the COVID pandemic when there was an egg shortage and a big interest in keeping chickens. It became really hard to get chickens or chicks, so I signed up early, expecting to receive them by the next fall. But the chicken craze eventually waned, meaning fewer people took chickens than anticipated. I ended up getting eight more in May, along with another Eglu Cube.
So, what breeds of chicken do you have in your flock of 18?
They call them Red Sexlinks, they’re the high-production layers of brown eggs. And then I have blue eggers which are a Legbar/Leghorn mix, and they lay lovely light blue eggs. We usually get 15 or 16 a day now, and that’s them in their second year. We use them to make egg salad, scrambled eggs, deviled eggs. And when the family comes over, they go home with eggs, and I have a few friends who buy them from me to help out with the cost of feed.
How do you find the interactions with them as animals and as pets?
As soon as I come out the door in the morning, they know I’m going to give them a treat, so they all crowd to the edge waiting for it. It’s funny because if you’re walking by the coop, they’ll all move along with you. And when we’re mowing the lawn, they even follow the tractor! And now, they follow anyone who steps outside, thinking they’re going to get a treat.
You mentioned earlier that you have a high standard of cleanliness. How has cleaning out the coop changed since starting your chicken keeping journey?
I am getting away with less than I did at the beginning. Every day I would go out and wipe the inside of the coop with wipes. It was obsessive, it was too much. We had to come to terms with what chickens are… messy. But I didn’t know about chickens, and I didn’t know how messy they were – now I do, and I’m okay with it. Once a month, or once every two months, cleaning out the inside of the coop is okay, but Matt wasn’t on board to do it every week – or every day.
I can see, actually, right now, they’re all up on the chicken perch. They look really happy up there, having a little preen. Do they do that quite a lot?
Yeah, they love those roosting bars. Actually, in the winter we were having trouble with them going into the coop when it was getting cold. The guy from Rent The Chicken had actually suggested taking the roosting bars down.
Because you couldn’t get them in the coop? Because they were too happy on their bars?
Yes. But we didn’t want to do that because they got on them during the day – so we decided to try to retrain them to go inside, and he thought that wouldn’t work but it did!
Most of them would go in at night, and then the ones that didn’t – before we went to bed we would go out and pick them up, put them in the coop and shut them in there. And then in the morning the door would open and they’d come out. Eventually it got less and less, and then finally they were all going in.
Something we hear a lot is that people start reading about chickens and end up learning all kinds of things they didn’t know. Could you just go out and get chickens? Or is it more learn as you go?
Definitely learn as you go. To be honest, I probably read more than you’d need to about chicken keeping before I started. It’s very interesting to learn about, but if you only had a couple of chickens, it wouldn’t be much work at all. They’re quite low maintenance generally. And the Eglu is made to move around if you want to use it as a chicken tractor.
You’ve done a lovely job with your garden – and it all kind of goes together: gardening, chicken keeping, cooking, living off the land. Is that kind of sustainable living important to you?
It was really the eggs. A couple of my friends have the fancier chicken breeds purely for the quality, type or amount of eggs they lay. My friend who has 30 chickens actually buys eggs from me. I’m like ‘What are they doing with their eggs?’ and they say ‘Well, we only get one a week’ – she has all different kinds, but you know, maybe they’re not bred for egg production. Mine are layers.
Have you had much trouble with predators, despite the bears?
We haven’t really had any. I’d say foxes, coyotes, opossums, and snakes are the biggest threat.
Snakes would probably get the eggs, if they could.
But they wouldn’t be able to get into the Eglu.
I don’t think they’d get into yours. Yours is like Fort Knox.
I did catch an opossum on my camera. It wasn’t trying to get into the coop – it was just walking along the run. We have raccoons and hawks too. I guess I never worried about hawks, eagles and aerial predators because the run is always covered – and my chickens don’t free range. Our set up is decently close to my house – we see it every day, so we can watch out for predators. And I go out there every day so I can check on them.
I think I own everything you make for chicken keeping, other than the Eglu Pro. I bought my set up just before it was released, but I would have definitely bought the Pro had I known. The people who say you can only have four chickens in a Cube – the chickens will stuff themselves in there, and they’re fine. They like snuggling in there at night.
One of the biggest responsibilities (and challenges) of keeping chickens is knowing how to keep your flock safe from predators. No matter where in the world you live, be it urban or rural, chicken predators are never far away. Here’s how to understand the risks, prepare your setup, and stay proactive.
Know your enemy
Every region has its own chicken predators, but here are the most common types:
Foxes — The number one predator of chickens in the UK.Smart, adaptable hunters that are crafty and cunning, able to dig, climb, and leap with ease. They are strong, clever, and will attack during the day or night.
Badgers— Less common but strong enough to break into coops if they can dig or push their way in.
Buzzards, sparrowhawks, and owls — Aerial threats that target free-ranging flocks.
Stoats and weasels — Slender enough to squeeze through small gaps in runs or coops.
Neighbourhood or family dogs and cats — One of the most overlooked threats, but often the most present.
No matter which chicken predators are prevalent in your area, the goal remains the same: to outsmart and make preparations against your flock’s foes.
Fortifying your flock against predators
Even though predators pose a significant threat to chickens, hope is not lost. There are several ways you can help protect your hens against predators. With the right setup, you and your flock will be able to sleep easy each night.
Capable coops
Predators typically attack at night, which is why your chicken coop is your flock’s fortress. Choosing a chicken coop with predator-resistant features makes all the difference in the fight against foes. Eglu Chicken Coops are constructed of rugged plastic, capable of withstanding bears to weasels, and every predator in between. And, the special locking mechanisms prevent raccoons from unlatching the doors.
Consider adding an Autodoor for an extra layer of security. Not only will your birds be put to bed on a schedule of your choosing, but the horizontal opening mechanism prevents paws from prying the door up and open. Set the Autodoor to open after dawn and close at dusk to prevent prime predator times, or manually open and close it. The Autodoor can be added to any existing setup, which helps turn Eglus and wooden coops into even more secure spaces.
Reinforced runs
Your flock’s outdoor space should also be protected from predators. The main threats to your hens during their active hours are from birds of prey (hawks, eagles, etc.) and from cats and dogs; though desperation in other species of predators may drive them out during the day. Because of this, your chicken run should be strong, have a top, and include measures to prevent digging.
Omlet’s fully enclosed Walk In Chicken Run is made from strong wire weld panels, and the anti-tunnel skirting around the perimeter deters digging to keep persistent predators out. Add a chicken run cover to keep the weather out, and to avoid attracting attention from aerial visitors. And while wild birds and migrating water fowl aren’t predators, they do have the potential to carry avian influenza to your flock. A run cover will keep your chickens safe from their droppings, offering additional protection for your flock.
The free-ranging philosophy
Free-ranging your flock always carries risks, and it’s always safest to keep them in a fully enclosed run. But if you do choose to let your flock out of their run, make sure it’s during broad daylight hours to avoid the most active periods for predators. Keep them in designated areas with chicken fencing so they stay closer to home — and safety.
Some chicken keepers find additional elements that help keep their free-ranging flocks safer. From repurposed inflatable props to motion activated sprinklers, you can get creative with how to scare off predators. Install security cameras in or around your setup to keep tabs on what may be visiting at night, and set up lights around the coop and run to help deter unwanted guests.
Check in regularly
Even the strongest setups need to be evaluated routinely. Weather, shifting soil, and the determination of predators can affect its integrity. Here’s a checklist for checking in on your chickens’ area:
Inspect the coop and run daily, looking for gaps, loose panels, or signs of digging or clawing.
Check all latches to make sure they’re secure and working smoothly.
Reinforce weak points and patch holes immediately.
Walk the entire perimeter after high winds, heavy rain, or snow to check for shifting.
Predators are opportunistic eaters, and if there’s a weakness, they’ll find it. Remove any leftover feed at the end of the day to prevent luring in rodents that will in turn draw predators in.
Omlet and your flock
Predator protection doesn’t need to be complicated. By starting with the right setup, you’ll set you and your flock up for stress-less success. Our chicken coops have a rugged design that withstand predator attempts, and our walk in chicken runs feature heavy-duty mesh and anti-dig skirting to keep predators in their place. With Omlet’s chicken products, predators that visit your setup will come hungry — and leave hungry.
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