Chicken Keeping Essentials!!!

[Shaun89174]

So me and the wife have taken the decision to keep chickens in our back yard. (currently in the incubator)

In order to give them the best run at life I have converted our shed (which was full of rubbish anyway) into a brand new chicken coop. Added a run to the side of the shed and knocked a hatch to get in and out for when they can't free range.

What I would like is advice or recommendations as to what we should have (in stock) for our chickens. Ie mite powder worming etc.

Basically anything that you guys have in your chicken cupboard to ensure your flock is safe and healthy.

Might I add, were in the North East of England. The summer rearly gets HOT and the winter rarely gets below - 1/-3. The run had got a roof so no water will be inside the coop or run at all.

Anything at all that you can think of that we will need to keep our flock healthy were all ears.

Thanks

 

[Petroschickens]

So me and the wife have taken the decision to keep chickens in our back yard. (currently in the incubator)

In order to give them the best run at life I have converted our shed (which was full of rubbish anyway) into a brand new chicken coop. Added a run to the side of the shed and knocked a hatch to get in and out for when they can't free range.

What I would like is advice or recommendations as to what we should have (in stock) for our chickens. Ie mite powder worming etc.

Basically anything that you guys have in your chicken cupboard to ensure your flock is safe and healthy.

Might I add, were in the North East of England. The summer rearly gets HOT and the winter rarely gets below - 1/-3. The run had got a roof so no water will be inside the coop or run at all.

Anything at all that you can think of that we will need to keep our flock healthy were all ears.

Thanks

Good luck with your flock! a lot of product I have come across is because of things that have happened to my flock for example Biotin and High Level B complex. some products I keep at hand just because are Food Grade Diatomaceous earth, Durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes, extra bedding and extra food.

 

[Shaun89174]

Good luck with your flock! a lot of product I have come across is because of things that have happened to my flock for example Biotin and High Level B complex. some products I keep at hand just because are Food Grade Diatomaceous earth, Durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes, extra bedding and extra food.

So alot of vitamin supplements then. What about worming and mite control. Do you use the de in a dust bath? Or dust directly onto the birds?

 

[Petroschickens]

So alot of vitamin supplements then. What about worming and mite control. Do you use the de in a dust bath? Or dust directly onto the birds?

I don't OD my chickens in Vitamins but it never hurts to give them some if I feel the need to. also I never bought anything for worms because I never had an issue with them. once every 3-4 months ill spread de around the area they dust bath in. but if your chickens do get mites its best to apply de directly on them wait couple days and reapply more de.

 

[Shaun89174]

I don't OD my chickens in Vitamins but it never hurts to give them some if I feel the need to. also I never bought anything for worms because I never had an issue with them. once every 3-4 months ill spread de around the area they dust bath in. but if your chickens do get mites its best to apply de directly on them wait couple days and reapply more de.

Thanks for the replys. We're just putting together a list of everything we will need to keep our ladies happy once there here

 

[nszrmch]

I have a misting head that I put over my garden hose to mist my chickens with cool water on days when it gets really hot out here. At first they were hesitant but now they love running under the water and cooling off!

Aside from that, I keep tasty treats around for them to enjoy, like dried mealworms and oyster shells.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Shaun89174]

I have a misting head that I put over my garden hose to mist my chickens with cool water on days when it gets really hot out here. At first they were hesitant but now they love running under the water and cooling off!

Aside from that, I keep tasty treats around for them to enjoy, like dried mealworms and oyster shells.

Welcome to BYC!

Thanks. Not sure our summers will get quite that hot here.

I remember when I was a boy my grandad kept racing pigeons and used to give them a physical water bath. Pouring water in with a watering can they used to lift their wings to get washed right under. Maybe this was something similar. Can a chicken get too wet?

 

[nszrmch]

Thanks. Not sure our summers will get quite that hot here.

I remember when I was a boy my grandad kept racing pigeons and used to give them a physical water bath. Pouring water in with a watering can they used to lift their wings to get washed right under. Maybe this was something similar. Can a chicken get too wet?

Sorry! I misread your original post!

Chickens tend to avoid the rain, and shouldn't get fully soaked as that could lead to them getting sick, but Im not entirely sure. I only do this on the hotter days

 

[Morgk]

So me and the wife have taken the decision to keep chickens in our back yard. (currently in the incubator)

In order to give them the best run at life I have converted our shed (which was full of rubbish anyway) into a brand new chicken coop. Added a run to the side of the shed and knocked a hatch to get in and out for when they can't free range.

What I would like is advice or recommendations as to what we should have (in stock) for our chickens. Ie mite powder worming etc.

Basically anything that you guys have in your chicken cupboard to ensure your flock is safe and healthy.

Might I add, were in the North East of England. The summer rearly gets HOT and the winter rarely gets below - 1/-3. The run had got a roof so no water will be inside the coop or run at all.

Anything at all that you can think of that we will need to keep our flock healthy were all ears.

Thanks

I have the feed, scratch grain, oyster shells, grit, extra food dish and water Incase one is injury or something else. I have hen healer so if the rooster favorites one hen I can put ointment on it. I have Vaseline for combs and waddles, DE (diatomaceous earth food grade white), hen saddles I’m ordering, extra light bulbs, vitamins and electrolytes, I think those are the main things.

 

[Morgk]

I also keep mealworms, and flock party treats on hand