Help w/ my Chicken Checklist?

[Dani & Mikey]

Hello BYC friends!
We are about to receive our 6 week old pullets that my good friend @Rachel Taylor raised from fluff balls for us! To say we are excited would be a huge understatement. We have been reading and researching nonstop and I am fairly sure we are set and ready to go. I am running down the things in my mind, and from various sources, that we absolutely need. We have the obvious things like a feed, warm dry coop and secure covered run, and some of the more acquired things like pdz & poop boards. My question/request for you, my friends, is can you do a little run down of what you think is a solid final checklist for someone about to get pullets? I’ve picked my poor friend’s brain to death! She’s very patient with me but I can’t help thinking there may be something I’ll forget. Also, I am building a chicken first aid kit and any suggestions on you feel I should add are also appreciated. I am sure that I am overthinking, I just want to make sure my flock is happy, well cared for and feels welcomed.
Thank you again for your time & advice!

 

[SueT]

What do you mean 'warm' coop? At 6 weeks, you don't need any heat source.
You'll do fine, be sure to post pics!!!!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Oh and I forgot to mention dust baths My chickens made their own with the first bare area they found. In the run and around the property. I don’t add anything to them and they’ve been fine and seem to enjoy their dust baths but if you need to build one in your coop I’m sure plenty of people here know what can be added. I’m a huge amateur compared to the knowledge of these folks!

 

[Dani & Mikey]

What do you mean 'warm' coop? At 6 weeks, you don't need any heat source.
You'll do fine, be sure to post pics!!!!

No, no light. I just meant that I have a sturdy, solid, dry structure. I think I’m just over the cold weather!

Oh and I forgot to mention dust baths My chickens made their own with the first bare area they found. In the run and around the property. I don’t add anything to them and they’ve been fine and seem to enjoy their dust baths but if you need to build one in your coop I’m sure plenty of people here know what can be added. I’m a huge amateur compared to the knowledge of these folks!

Yep, we did talk about that. I am going to put one in the run for them until they can get out and free range. I am thinking of getting something like a dish pan from the dollar store or an old tire. As far as what to put in it, I have read recipes and stuff but I think I might just put dirt in it. We have plenty of that!

 

[Ridgerunner]

As far as what to put in it, I have read recipes and stuff but I think I might just put dirt in it. We have plenty of that!

 

[sumi]

The absolute necessities for chickens is shelter that provides protection from the elements and especially predators, good quality feed and fresh, clean water. A dustbath area would be lovely, as chickens of all ages love dust bathing.

Keep some mite powder for poultry in your first aid kit, as preventative treatment every few months. Deworming the flock once or twice a year is optional, depending on your soil and other factors. I like adding a splash of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water once a month for 2-3 days to give them a little natural boost.

The things I found I needed at impossible times were usually antibiotic ointment/cream (one with no painkillers added), small scissors for trimming feathers, etc, oral antibiotics for when they get sick, cornstarch to help stop bleeds… That's all that comes to mind right now.

Enjoy your new chickens!

 

[BullChick]

They must have food and fresh water. Sunlight, dry coop, and room to move. 4 ft.² inside, and 8 ft.² outside. We usually say 10 ft.² outside because it’s easier to do the math.
Everything else that we all can tell you is just what we find we like to do/have.

 

[BullChick]

First aid kit should have:
A heat lamp. If a bird is really sick, it needs the heat lamp to help it keep its temperature up without using up energy it needs for healing. If you bring the bird inside, that should also be good enough.
A cage or small coop for sick bay/quarantine. New birds must be quarantined for 4 to 6 weeks. Quarantine must be far away from the rest of the birds since diseases can be airborne. This area can also be used if you choose to separate a broody hen. It is not necessary to separate a broody.
The following is what I have in my kit;
Vet wrap

Artificial tear gel

Vet Rx

Nutri-Drench

Liniment gel

Safety tipped scissors (sharp)

Wazine

Corid

Safe-guard

Vetericyn-wound and skin care

Blu-Kote

Vitamins& Electrolytes

Sav-A-Chick electrolytes

Duramycin antibiotic

Terramycin (animal Neosporin)

Iodine

Benadryl

Epsom salt

Syringes

Gauze

 

[JSWolf]

We just ordered a seed kit from my favorite seed bank called the "All-in-One Chicken Garden Variety Pack." It has 15 different plants that are good for chickens. This is obviously not required but it will sure make our girls happy. We're going to plant in movable, chicken friendly planters outside of their run and then rotate them through the run as they grow/blossom/get eaten so the girls always have something in there with them. If you want the website pm me.

 

[Dani & Mikey]

The absolute necessities for chickens is shelter that provides protection from the elements and especially predators, good quality feed and fresh, clean water. A dustbath area would be lovely, as chickens of all ages love dust bathing.

Keep some mite powder for poultry in your first aid kit, as preventative treatment every few months. Deworming the flock once or twice a year is optional, depending on your soil and other factors. I like adding a splash of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to their drink water once a month for 2-3 days to give them a little natural boost.

The things I found I needed at impossible times were usually antibiotic ointment/cream (one with no painkillers added), small scissors for trimming feathers, etc, oral antibiotics for when they get sick, cornstarch to help stop bleeds… That's all that comes to mind right now.

Enjoy your new chickens!

Thank you so much! I love the cornstarch tip.

First aid kit should have:
A heat lamp. If a bird is really sick, it needs the heat lamp to help it keep its temperature up without using up energy it needs for healing. If you bring the bird inside, that should also be good enough.
A cage or small coop for sick bay/quarantine. New birds must be quarantined for 4 to 6 weeks. Quarantine must be far away from the rest of the birds since diseases can be airborne. This area can also be used if you choose to separate a broody hen. It is not necessary to separate a broody.
The following is what I have in my kit;
Vet wrap

Artificial tear gel

Vet Rx

Nutri-Drench

Liniment gel

Safety tipped scissors (sharp)

Wazine

Corid

Safe-guard

Vetericyn-wound and skin care

Blu-Kote

Vitamins& Electrolytes

Sav-A-Chick electrolytes

Duramycin antibiotic

Terramycin (animal Neosporin)

Iodine

Benadryl

Epsom salt

Syringes

Gauze

Yes! Thank you! This is perfect! Good call on the heat lamp for the infirmary.

We just ordered a seed kit from my favorite seed bank called the "All-in-One Chicken Garden Variety Pack." It has 15 different plants that are good for chickens. This is obviously not required but it will sure make our girls happy. We're going to plant in movable, chicken friendly planters outside of their run and then rotate them through the run as they grow/blossom/get eaten so the girls always have something in there with them. If you want the website pm me.

That is awesome and something we are trying to do as well! I wanted to put stuff in beds around the run to cover the hardware cloth skirt but I really dig the idea of being able to rotate stuff in and out. I’ll hit you up for that site for sure!

Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer. I appreciate the help!

I have a few follow up questions like: Where do you prefer to get your chicken supplies? Do you shop online or do you mostly go to local feed stores? Are there items you go to the dollar store for to save money?