[Sharondp]

Hi all

Well I pick up the 4 Buff Orpington girls next Saturday (5th) - can't wait!

I have the house for them - it just needs assembling.

I've been looking after the chickens at our unit's allotment (mental health unit) so I'm not a complete novice but would like some advice on what I need in the first instance.

Here's my list - do I need to add anything? Also - if you can recommend any particular item it would be appreciated!

Feeder & drinker (these will be outside - galvanised or plastic?)
Grit tray
Scraper for cleaning out
Disinfectant (any recommendations?)
Parasite control - any recommendations?
Food

Anything else I've forgotten?

The girls are 28 weeks old and have just started laying!

Thanks guys 

[shetlandpaul]

no that will do.

[doganjo]

Feeder & drinker (these will be outside - galvanised or plastic?)

- I use plastic becasue tehy are lighter and easier for me to manage but galvanised will last longer and won't rust or get damaged by frost

Grit tray

- I use a flat metal dog bowl

Scraper for cleaning out

- I use a big car ice scraper

Disinfectant (any recommendations?)

Fullers (Diatomaceous) earth, Poultry Shield

Parasite control - any recommendations

? - Verm X

Food

- layers pellets, mixed grain, ends of vegetables, porridge with milk and honey, wholemeal/grain bread, fruit ends

[Sharondp]

Thank you 

[suziequeue]

We are staring out with chickens too. Picking up three POL RIRs on Thursday. So excited. Am pleased top see that our arrangements so far are in line with what's recommended here.

Should I start with worming them routinely straight away?

We are planning to keep them in a large paddock - so sort of semi free-range. We heard that if we are free ranging them and want them to return to the coop easily then we should keep them cooped up and feed and water them in there for the first three days after getting them home. (The coop is spacious with laying boxes and a roost so they would be comfortable enough I think).

Is this recommended or is it an old wives tale?

Susanna

[harry]

galvanised will get damaged by frost i had 2 blow holes this winter, easy to repair with silocon, they are some additives you shouldnt put in galvanised drinkers.. you will add stuff as you go along

[langdon]

doganjo why the question mark beside verm x please dont
think im being funny im not
just wondering cos we use verm x all the time, but should we be
changing it from time to time?
hope i got your name right!! langdon

[Rosemary]

Verm X has no known resistance so no problem with using it.

I would use it from the word go, Susanna

[Anke]

To get them used to "where home is" we just leave ours in for 24 hours, but three days seems quite a long time... If you can fence off several areas you can rotate them and not get it all poached too soon... but depends on size of padock and number of chooks.

[doganjo]

Langdon, name is correct.  No idea about the question mark - it jumped in there all by itself

[langdon]

lol how you all doing o'er there
hope all is well

[Sharondp]

I thought it was about time I popped back and let you know how we're getting on!

The girls are doing really well, but two went broody, so we weren't getting many eggs. We decided that we're going to have a go at breeding the buff orpington's so I've got a cockerel, and for eggs I've got 5 black rocks who have settled in well and are laying nicely.

Thanks for your help when starting out - it feels as though they've been around for ever now!

[Castle Farm]

I have put a bit about starting up on my web page.

www.castlefarmeggs.co.uk