New to raising chickens – what essential supplies and equipment do I need?

[FrostRanger]

I started with a small coop (2-4 chickens, lean towards 2) (size dependent on flock) before finding a chicken tractor that allowed me more chickens (up to 8-12, with free-rangers). I also purchased an additional run (not required unless you don't want/can't have free range) Single feed and waterer to start.

I would strongly advise against a small coop even for just a few chickens. Reason being prefabs nearly always overstate the amount of birds they can hold and you're almost certainly going to need to add more birds in the future and too little space and smooth integrations don't mix well. I'd start with a used shed, relatively inexpensive and easy enough to convert into a coop that will serve you well for years to come with ample room to grow. Other than that you'll need a large run and both of those will need to be predator proof. Again, don't go for something sized for the amount you plan on getting, plan on larger. No chicken has ever complained about too much space but they certainly will complain about being cramped and when chickens are cramped you can see some very ugly behaviors crop up. I would also have at least 2 feeders with a third being preferable as well as perhaps multiple water stations. This may sound a bit much but it will help to keep tensions down in the flock. Places to perch and object to break line of sight also go a long way towards this. You also want some sort of substrate such as wood chips, a brooder plate for chicks and a large brooder. This in addition to a quality feed and grit (and eventually crushed oyster shell)

 

[Gardeal]

Thank you for your warm responses! I roughly know what to do now—thank you so much again!