newbie shopping list. What do I really need?

[NancyP]

I will be starting my life with chickens,etc in the fall. What are the must haves?
Feeder
Waterer
housing
Feed (appropriate for bird)
heat lamp
What else ?
Thanks,
Nancy

 

[babymakes6]

A good bedding!

 

[NancyP]

Thanks,
No cedar right?

am writing all this down in preparation.
Nancy

 

[TipsyDog]

No cedar. Pine shavings are good. I started with pine shavings in the brooder with paper towels over top for first week. I left the paper towels off after that. Well, that only lasted for a day! They were eating the shavings and kicked it into the water, food and it was a ridiculous mess.

I bought a bag of wood pellets (used for horse bedding). I LOVE it. No mess. They've been in the brooder for almost 2 weeks now and no smell, no mess and the poo dries right up.

Good luck to you!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I dont use bedding for a week or so. I use paper towel only. If the chicks eat it they can become impacted and die. Also make sure you have an extra red bulb. I went through 3 in 2 weeks time and was so glad that i had a back up. I dont know what was wrong with the bulbs but i got my money back on them.

I have the brooder ready the day before they come and i have the light on a few hours before they get here. I bought a wireless digital thermometer that is great. One goes in the brooder and the other one stays upstairs so i can keep a check on it. (i have my brooder in the basement) Make sure your brooder is around 95* and be sure and give them plenty of space to get away from the heat if they need to. My brooder is a 4 foot by 5 foot.

When the chicks arrive give them some water warm water with electrolite vitamins in it and i put a Tbsp of honey in with it. Some people use sugar. I also blend their chick starter food so that its easier to eat. My first batch of chicks just were not eating the larger pieces and alot of it went to waste so i now blend it up a little bit.

Make sure to replace your paper towels as often as you can. I change mine out 3 or 4 times a day. I dont want them to get sick.

In a couple of weeks start offering them little treats, and say treat treat to them and they will start running up to you when they see you. My brooder is large enough for me to sit in there with mine so they can hop up on me when i have treats. It takes a little while before they adjust to you so dont be disappointed if they are scared of you at first.

I almost forgot. Raise your heat lamp up each week so that the temp is 5 degrees lower each week.

I hope i covered the first few weeks for you. Have fun.

 

[rhodiegal]

Marbles for the water for first week. I did not use them the last time thinking that surely they would not drown in 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch of water. Well, found one on the brink of time with its entire head stuck in the water unable to move! I put the marbles in immediately - won't make that mistake again.

LOTS of paper towels for the first 3 days.

 

[Slywoody]

Chick grit before you give them treats. Grit is cheap. Thermometer would be a good thing so, you don't cook them. DE is a good thing. I use it. Probably, the most important thing is knowledge and you can get that right here on this site

Woody

 

[SproutGirl]

Your list looks good. Get a book from your local library, and don't worry too much. You're going to have a lot of fun!

 

[nebjule]

Hey Guys,

I'm fairly new to owning chickens....why not cedar shavings? Is there a problem with them and grown chickens?

Julie

 

[NancyP]

DE is for mites and lice right? does it come with good directions?