Newby shopping list

[kinelson57]

I get my new babies tomorrow. I am a first timer and want to be prepaired, so what all do I need to have on hand, other than the obvious food, water, shavings heat lamp? I am reading that people are feeding medicaided food, is that what I will need? and then there is VetRx, and i will need a thermomitor (sp?) will just a little suction cup one due or is there a special kind? i plan on going shopping tonight after work so that everything can be ready for the new babies, I am so excited!!!!

thanks!

 

[teach1rusl]

I used the medicated chick starter, but some don't. I'm guessing you have a feeder and waterer? If you don't have a standard chick waterer (very shallow), some put marbles down in the drink container. I used a digital thermometer, just for convenience. About any kind could work though I'd think. Hopefully you won't need any medical supplies/supplements THIS early! You might have some apple cider vinegar on hand? You'll want some fine grit within the next week or two if you're going to give any treats. I think an extra heat bulb is always good to keep on hand, cause you never know when one might go for some reason... Relax and enjoy your babies. They are pretty hardy little things really.

 

[kinelson57]

Thanks for your reply..What is the Apple Cider Viniger for?

 

[bigstack]

Congrats!!!! Well as you stated, Feed and feeder, water and waterer, heat lamp and 2 bulbs, bedding, something to prevent drafts, thermometer ( any kind) Needs to be at their level or laying on the bedding under lamp. Medicated feed is not a must. I personally don't like to medicate unless needed. if you give medication needlessly the germs can build up a resistance to it. If you have bantoms or tiny chicks you may want to put marbles in the waterer to prevent them from falling in and drowning. I just put a tbl sp of sugar in 1 quart waterer and pure water in the other if they look a lil slugish. Warm water is best on the first day. a lil plain white yogurt with live cultures helps their digestive system. they have no good bacteria in their lil systems yet. Yogurt helps introduce good bacteria. Not too much yogurt. it can cause squirts. I put a feather duster in my brooder pen. They love sleeping under it. Even though they have never seen another chicken. I keep 1 waterer by the heat lamp and the other in the non heated end.

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I have some on hand, but have never used it. You can do a search here...supposed to have numerous health benefits. Some say a little in the waterer (plastic only) helps deter pasty butt in chicks... Can't vouch for it myself, but you'll see it mentioned a LOT here on the site...lol. (ACV-apple cider vinegar).

 

[gryeyes]

I didn't use ACV for chicks, but I'm using it for the flock now, simply because it stops the algae growth in the waterer. If there really ARE health benefits, then the chickens will get those, I guess.

 

[BarredBuff]

Here is a list
Brooder Base
2 Brooder Bulbs
Chicke Feeder and Waterer
Brooder Thermometer
Chick Grit (only if you give treats)
Medicated Chick Feed
Some sort of Antibiotic to put in water
Pine Shavings

 

[chickcritty]

Congratulations on the new babies! You're going to have so much fun with them

The only thing I can think of to add to this is for you to make sure the heating lamp is very well secured so it doesn't fall or get knocked into the bedding and possibly start a fire. Oh, and make sure the shavings you use are NOT cedar. I gave my chickies medicated food, but I think next time I probably won't because it didn't seem like it was needed. Make sure you post pictures so we can ooh and aah over your babies

 

[kinelson57]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'm off to the feed store to buy supplies so everything will be ready for my new babies!!