Do you have a special chicken keeper (or the chickens) in your life? Would you like to give them a gift this holiday season, but not sure where to start?  Then keep reading because every chicken enthusiast has a long list of things they wish they had. I’ve had so much fun combing the internet to hand-pick some of the best gifts to help them excel at their favorite hobby.  There were so many, I am showing products within a 5-part PopWorms! Guide to Chicken Christmas Cheer!  I could not help myself…so many cute and cool chicken clothes (for your chicken person, not the chicken), goodies, gadgets, and gizmos out there!
 
To kick it off, let’s talk about items for the coop.  When looking for the right gift for chicken keepers, you can’t go wrong with anything that helps your chicken loving friends upgrade, or fortify their coop more easily or comfortably, or to allow chicken entertainment.
 
Coop and Chicken Heating
 
Want to help keep the feathered friends warm over the colder months? The K&H Pet Products Thermo Chicken Perch will keep chickens warm and happy.  The perch warms chicken feet, and aids to retain body heat.  This ergonomically designed perch also includes dual internal thermostats to regulate the perfect temperature, day and night. You can purchase for $36.44 from Chewy.com.
 
If you would rather provide a more substantial heating source, the Cozy Products Flat Panel Chicken Coop Heater uses both radiant and convection heat with low wattage for warmth without the risk of overheating.  This heater should be easy to set up in any coop, and uses 90% less energy than a space heater.  This product also comes from Chewy.com and is a little under $40.00.
 
Water and Feed Containers
 
Chicken feeders and water containers are nifty devices that come in handy.  Even if your hobbyist already has some, they could also use more, as it never hurts to change them out periodically for a good cleaning.  And who doesn’t like new stuff?  Lixit makes a versatile and inexpensive product that can be used as a chicken feeder and /or waterer.  The reservoir holds 64 ounces of water or 4 pounds of food, and the chicken design on the outside is just cute! Feathers and Beaky drinkers and feeders add a height adjustable feature that lifts the base off of the ground, and features a sturdy design.
 
The Bergan's Autowata drinker keeps a continuous supply of fresh water flowing.  The drinker is simply attached to a garden hose and ensures that the chickens always have enough to drink.
 
If your chicken enthusiast is good at DIY, then the poultry water nipple would be a great addition! These can be easily attached to a PVC pipe, a hanging bucket, or watering kit to provide the flock access to a steady supply of clean water.  And depending on geography,  Heated waterers or bases can keep the ice water away all winter long!
 
Fun Chicken Toys
 
Chicken lovers love to keep their feathered friends stimulated and happy. These chicken coop toys are sure to please!  You can get them all or choose one or two. Your chicken hobbyist, and the chickens, will thank you.
 
For starters, the Ware Manufacturing Chick-N-Veggie Treat Ball rolls and entertains chickens.  It can be filled with fresh veggies to also provide a  healthy treat.  
 
Want to combine chicken exercise with chicken enjoyment?  The chicken swing or chicken ladders are easily installed inside the coop and are sure to delight!  These products are also perfect for giving to your friends who have chicks.  Everyone will enjoy watching the chickens jump on and off, and the chickens will be occupied and have a blast!
 
Finally, another way to keep the chickens engaged is with the Lixit Chicken Toy.  This fun toy doubles as a treat dispenser and food is slowly released from the openings, as the chickens peck to get at the food, keeping them active and occupied. 
 
Of course you need to fill the dispenser with something, so why not our PopWorms! ECO or PopWorms! PRO treats!  And, there is no need to decide which product to get the girls… just get them both with our PopWorms! Holiday Bundle: 2 bags of PopWorms! ECO, and 1 bag of PopWorms! PRO, for a great low price!
 
Stay tuned for next week’s post, but until then, maybe some of these gifts might inspire you to take up the hobby yourself! Also, be sure to check out our upcoming site-wide sale from 11/29-12/1!

Since your chickens are limited on what they can forage this time of year, you need to feed them more. Of course give them their scratch, meal and corn (digesting corn warms the little darlings up internally), but you will definitely be supplementing more during the winter. 

Warm, Tasty Treats Your Chicken Will Thank You For

• Warm cooked oatmeal mixed with banana or other fruits, or even some syrup is a great treat, just not every day.
• Oatmeal uncooked.  It can still be warm and mixed with birdseed for a tempting beakful.
• Scrambled eggs, if your little ladies are still laying well. Make sure the eggs are well cooked, you do not want to give them a taste for raw eggs.
• Cooked pasta is well liked and you can change it up with different vegetables. 
• Vegetables cooked and raw make them happy. Feed them as many greens as you can. 
• Quinoa cooked with some greens or syrup will be a tasty snack.
• Warm potatoes and almost all table scraps are well received.

Other Treats Chickens Love

• Apple, banana, etc. peels, but not rinds.
• Berries especially strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
• Seeds, pumpkin, sunflower, plum, chia, squash, and melon, if you have any.

PopWorms!, are nutritional treats made from dried black soldier fly larvae. Your chickens will rave about them. PopWorms! ECO has a higher protein content and 25% more calcium than mealworms. PopWorms! PRO has probiotics, necessary for keeping a healthy gut. You can get the girls a PopWorms! Holiday Bundle, which comes with 2 bags of the PopWorms! ECO and 1 bag of the PopWorms! PRO by clicking here.

What Not to Give your Chickens

Per The Happy Chicken Coop you should not give your girls these: acorns, apple cores and seeds, avocado, dry rice, eggplant, beans and lentils, leeks and onions for a complete list click here.