The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Susie on August 25, 2010, 07:51:34 pm

Title: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: Susie on August 25, 2010, 07:51:34 pm

Hi all,

We're getting a few chickens next month and I want to try to get everything they will need in advance.

So far we've looked at the advice on here and converted a shed into a chicken house - thanks for all the tips! :D  And we've got the electric fencing stuff sorted. I've also got a feeder, drinker, some red mite powder, some disinfectant chicken house cleaner for the shed, lots of saved up egg boxes ready to re-use, poultry spice, cider vinegar, bedding, grit/oyster shell stuff, haven't decided on the feed yet but do have a lovely red feed scoop  ::)

Basically I'd just like to get some advice on what I've forgotten/what else I might need please?

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: scattybiker1972 on August 25, 2010, 08:24:29 pm

bin for putting feed in ..rat and mouse proof?

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: Susie on August 25, 2010, 08:37:23 pm

Good one - thanks.

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: jacob and Georgina on August 25, 2010, 09:12:09 pm

Possibly some dummy eggs?? found these useful, apart from that sounds like you have more than you need   ;D

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: Susie on August 25, 2010, 10:33:54 pm

I think I may have gone a bit overboard on the preparations. Hubby thinks I was less organised than this when our children were born  ;D

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: little blue on August 25, 2010, 10:38:37 pm

Quote from: Susie on August 25, 2010, 10:33:54 pm

I think I may have gone a bit overboard on the preparations. Hubby thinks I was less organised than this when our children were born  ;D

:lol:  that made me smile!
it sounds like your chickens will be very well looked after (even Spoilt?!!  ;))

maybe a solar light or similar for the longer winter nights? both for the choocks and for you to check on them!

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: jt5824 on August 26, 2010, 08:39:59 pm

It sounds as if you have it all covered. I bought a drinker and feeder but have ended up using an old dog bowl  for water purchased on top of a couple of bricks (otherwise it is knocked over) and now scatter their food freely around their run so that they get exercise scratting around for the it rather than just being stood at the feeder.

I like the sound of the solar light...I must get one myself, never thought of it before. 

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: Buffy the eggs layer on August 28, 2010, 08:55:10 pm

Hi,

  the only other things I can think of ( and you may have these allready) is wormer and lice powder, poultry spice and tonic, vasaline for combs in the winter, corn, shell grit for digestion, bedding and cod liver oil. 

Oh and you have probably worked out that the the first egg you get will have cost you a small fortune ;D

good luck with the birds

 :chook:

Title: Re: Preparing for our first Chickens
Post by: Susie on August 28, 2010, 10:10:22 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. Now I just need to wait (very impatiently) for a week until its time to collect the chickens....

:chook: :chook: :chook: