Am I Forgetting Anything?

[Elleoz]

I am totally new to the chicken world, and anxiously awaiting my 4 fuzzy butts this Friday. I am getting 4 pullets (1 Buff Orpington, 1 Americauna, 1 Golden Comet and 1 Silver Laced Wyandott) from the local feed store. I am going out today to get all my supplies for them and setting up the brooder in the house for the first couple of weeks. From all the research I have done so far I figure I need the following:

1. Brooder (using a 45 Gallon Plastic Tote)
2. Ceramic Heat Lamp w/ red infrared bulb
3. Thermometer
4. Quart Waterer
5. Quart Feeder
6. Bedding (Pine Shavings covered with puppy pads for first few days)
7. Chick Starter Feed(medicated or no?- they will be vaccinated upon arrival from the hatchery)
8. Chick Grit (after first week or so-plan of giving treats)

Am I forgetting anything?

I am fixing up a Little Tykes Playhouse for their coop, and plan to move them out there during the day in a few weeks if the weather stays warm (been in upper 70's-low 80's) and bring them in at night. I may put them on the porch as well to cut down on dander and dust in the house until they can go out to the coop permanently. Going to have to play that one by ear a little.

I am so excited! I feel like a kid at Christmas

Now I have to get their coop and run finished ASAP!

 

[Imp]

Congrats on joining us in our madness.

Sounds like you got it covered. I would do medicated starter, since you are going to take them outside, but there are other opinions.

Have fun,
Imp

 

[Othylocke]

You have more than I do. Mine are still alive

I use non medicated, but I know plenty who would only use non medicated if they were with the mother. So it is a bit of a personal choice. Medicated if you want to be safe. Non medicated if you are ornery like me.

 

[mallory2013]

It looks like you are all set! As for the medicated or non-medicated feed question, are they being vaccinated for Merck's and/or coccidia? If they were vaccinated for coccidia, DO NOT give them medicated feed as this will cancel out the vaccination. If they weren't vaccinated for coccidia, it is totally up to you as to whether you want to feed them medicated feed or not. The feed isn't really medicated in the sense of the word that there is antibiotics or anything, it just contains a stuff that helps the chicks build up a resistance to coccidia. I fed my chicks medicated feed and I had no incidence of coccidia, and they are almost a year now. However, I bought 4 bantam chicks from a guy who didn't feed medicated feed and all 4 of the chicks got coccidia. I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but just telling you my experience. The cost of the coccidia medicine from the feed store was $26.00, as opposed to a $14 bag of chick feed. I guess I'm trying to say in my personal experience, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure lol. On the other hand, many many people have raised their chicks on non-medicated feed and have been fine. Hope this helps, and good luck with your chicks! They grow up too fast.!

-Mallory

 

[xxxgeorgiexxx]

welcoem to the chicken world!!! looks like you have got everything i use non medicated food. enjoy your chicken sure you will fall in love with them and want more!!!

 

[gapeach717]

welcome to chickie fun!!! you sound like you have it covered good! Now you just need a calculator....bc chicken math gets us ALL!!!

 

[yinzerchick]

It looks like you are all set! As for the medicated or non-medicated feed question, are they being vaccinated for Merck's and/or coccidia? If they were vaccinated for coccidia, DO NOT give them medicated feed as this will cancel out the vaccination. If they weren't vaccinated for coccidia, it is totally up to you as to whether you want to feed them medicated feed or not. The feed isn't really medicated in the sense of the word that there is antibiotics or anything, it just contains a stuff that helps the chicks build up a resistance to coccidia. I fed my chicks medicated feed and I had no incidence of coccidia, and they are almost a year now. However, I bought 4 bantam chicks from a guy who didn't feed medicated feed and all 4 of the chicks got coccidia. I'm not trying to scare you or anything, but just telling you my experience. The cost of the coccidia medicine from the feed store was $26.00, as opposed to a $14 bag of chick feed. I guess I'm trying to say in my personal experience, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure lol. On the other hand, many many people have raised their chicks on non-medicated feed and have been fine. Hope this helps, and good luck with your chicks! They grow up too fast.!

-Mallory

x2!

I got non medicated for my chicks that are vaccinated, and medicated for the chicks that weren't. (different age groups) It' worked out well so far, Like it says in the post above, if your chicks are vaccinated, I'd definately not give them medicated feed, it nullifies the vaccine.

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

You got just about everything. Good Luck.