Am I missing anything for my first chickens?

[Emily0918]

Nesting pads aren't essential - save up feed bags and fold them to fit in the nest boxes, and voila, instant free padding.

You didn't mention litter/bedding for either coop or run but keep in mind if the run is currently all grass/plants, that will get destroyed and then you will need some form of litter to control mud and odor.

Thank you so much what kind of litter? Like shavings?

 

[bill3607]

Would shavings be good for litter?

Yes, I use pine shavings in my run, coop as well as my nesting boxes. Out in the run I also throw some dead leaves in with it.

 

[Emily0918]

Yes, I use pine shavings in my run, coop as well as my nesting boxes. Out in the run I also throw some dead leaves in with it.

Thank you this is good to know!

 

[Emily0918]

Sorry l just remembered my coop rolls around! (It’s not small though it’s a good size and it has plenty of room for the chickens)

 

[topochico225]

Make sure to use pine or aspen shavings, not cedar. The oils can irritate the chickens' respiratory systems.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you so much what kind of litter? Like shavings?

Shavings are fine, not my preference due to cost but they work well for a lot of people.

Because my coop isn't that small, I use wood chipped from my own lot plus hemp in the coop.

 

[aart]

(It’s not small though it’s a good size and it has plenty of room for the chickens)

How big is that in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

So you are getting full grown chickens....how old and how many?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Emily0918
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Chickies11]

I offer just plain grit in a small bowl that is hung on the side of their run. In a different bowl, also hung on the side of the run, I have crushed oyster shells. I would recommend having crushed oyster shells too, if your chickens will be laying.

 

[ImAChick]

Nesting pads aren't essential - save up feed bags and fold them to fit in the nest boxes, and voila, instant free padding.

You didn't mention litter/bedding for either coop or run but keep in mind if the run is currently all grass/plants, that will get destroyed and then you will need some form of litter to control mud and odor.

Do you know how to cover up mud? Our chicken run is on a hill so it is partially downhill (Not very bad but slippery enough to make you fall.) and it has some flat area. Any ideas?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Do you know how to cover up mud? Our chicken run is on a hill so it is partially downhill (Not very bad but slippery enough to make you fall.) and it has some flat area. Any ideas?

Deep litter. Aged chunky wood chips as the base material, with other organic items mixed in (dried leaves, short grass clippings, garden trimmings, pulled weeds, etc). If you're working with a slope you may need to periodically push materials back up the slope, or terrace it, depending on how steep it is.