compiling a shopping list of essentials and handy things for new chook set up?

[BantyChooks]

So this food is sufficient for POL birds? I don't quite understand food requirements, sorry to be a pain with all the questions! I've read people talking about % content, niacin(?) and calcium? Oyster grit? Scratch mix, layer mash, cracked corn...

Roosts don't need to be fancy, do they? It's essentially a pole or perch they can tuck themselves up on for rest/sleep? And they will fly themselves up to these, right? I'm not going to wing clip, so they'll have the ability to fly about once they've been quarantined and done their 2 week lockdown to settle in.

Right, and right. I have my roosts at waist and shoulder height.

 

[aart]

Roosts don't need to be fancy, do they? It's essentially a pole or perch they can tuck themselves up on for rest/sleep? And they will fly themselves up to these, right?

Yep, but placement can depend on size of coop.
The higher the roosts are, the more space they need as a landing area.

If you post your coop and run sizes(accurately measured) and some pics,
we can give you more specific assistance.

Here's some thoughts I have on heights in the coop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/

 

[lazy gardener]

How old is that feed? Look on the tape at the bottom of the bag for the mill date. Immediately after milling, the grains start to oxidize, and the nutrients diminish. Eventually, the oils in the grains break down and the feed becomes rancid. 6 weeks after milling, the break down is such that nutrient levels are affected. I refuse to buy old feed, and have walked out of a nationally known box feed store empty handed b/c all of their feed is 3 months old.

 

[RonP]

Not essential, but sure is handy to have electricity and a GFCI outlet.

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally, I like to go down to my birds at least once a day. At that time I bring the feed. I do not feed the same amount of feed each day. I check the bowl, if it is bare, I feed a little more, if it has some left, I feed a little less.

Putting out a great deal of feed for a 24/7 feeding station draws rodents, mice, and rats. They can cause their own problems. Birds do not either eat or drink at night.

Just my 2 cents
mk

 

[EverythingZen]

Not essential, but sure is handy to have electricity and a GFCI outlet.

What is a GFCI outlet?

 

[aart]

What is a GFCI outlet?

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
GFCI

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Maybe you meant to post this in another thread?

Seems like I bother you. Think I’ll just leave the membership and site

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Was just so far off topic thought you 'missed'.

Ok I’ll try not to let happen anymore. Thanks for your input.