I would reccomend:
If you are going to start your flock with chicks; then you'll want to get a few of the quart bottle waterers & feeders for your chicks.
For a brooder I used a 40 gallon aquarium. It was great for raising small groups. About 6 - 10 chicks would fit in it for about 3 weeks, until they feather out and can go outside in the coop. You'll also need a heat lamp to keep the chicks warm. I attached a stick-on thermometer to measure temperature inside the brooder.
When they get bigger, you'll want to get a larger capacity Waterer and Feed Hopper. I have 6 pullets and 2 ducks, so my waterer has a 3 gallon capacity and the feed hopper is a 12 pound hopper. I also put my feeders and waterers on cement blocks. By raising them off the ground...approximately the height of the pullets back it will limit the amount of debris and contamination that gets kicked into the food and water.
I like to have food and water available for the pullets while they are in the coop, So I have a catch basin setup in the coop. Easy to make...The ducks are the main culprits, they play in the water and can flood the coop. It also keeps the waterer up off the floor of the coop, so shavings and fecal material don't contaminate the water. The feed hopper is set on a cement block in the back ground.
If I think of more items I'll post them.
Edited by Rock Home Isle - 6/21/12 at 9:19am
