Things you wish you knew starting out?

[AllenK RGV]

I just saw in someones tagline that they made chicken saddles it struck me as an oddity so I had to look it up, they seem potentially like a critical piece of gear that I should have on hand for a variety of reasons.

What other tools should I be placing in my toolkit other than triple antibiotic ointments and Coban(I think it is also called Vet Tape) for wrapping potential wounds?

I have pet carriers sized appropriately to segregate injured chicken(the Army moved us frequently). Having been an Army Nurse I have the medical side covered with goodies like dermabond, suture sets, and a lifetime supply of things like normal saline flushes, triple antibiotic sachets, alcohol and iodine prep wipes, tincture of benzoin and butterfly tape that left the hospital at the end of 12 hour shifts in my pockets unintentionally.

Any other suggestions or directions towards a good link I should read about on hand essentials that you wish you had purchased before ever looking at a chicken? Something as simple as an axe could be useful info.

I am willing to bet that a thread like this already exists if so and you know the search terms I missed please direct me there. TY in advance.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Separation pens are definitely a necessity. Than you can separate those roosters out so you don't need a hen saddle.

I take a more simplistic approach to keeping chickens, so not a lot of supplies here. Some bluekote, a good pair of shears for trimming polish crests, and clipping wings if necessary. I also keep a dog nail trimmer to trim nails, spurs, and beaks.

My best tool is my handy fishing net used to catch chickens in order to do all their grooming needs.

 

[aart]

Tried a quick search, came up with this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...ifferently&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1

 

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-maintaining-a-healthy-flock.1195412/

 

[AllenK RGV]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-maintaining-a-healthy-flock.1195412/

Thank you Aart again!

 

[AllenK RGV]

I also keep a dog nail trimmer to trim nails, spurs, and beaks.

Why trim the beaks? Mine seem to be doing that just fine on cinder blocks and rocks. I'm just curious as I am unfamiliar with that practice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Why trim the beaks? Mine seem to be doing that just fine on cinder blocks and rocks. I'm just curious as I am unfamiliar with that practice.

It is mostly my roosters and my old lady hens. Roosters don't forage as much as hens and their beaks can grow and form a hook. Older hens generally aren't as good at foraging either sometimes due to arthritis. Those that peck around will keep the beak in good shape. Generally my roosters are keeping watch while the hens feed.

 

[Pork Pie]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1149741/topic-of-the-week-emergency-first-aid-preparedness

 

[AllenK RGV]

It is mostly my roosters and my old lady hens. Roosters don't forage as much as hens and their beaks can grow and form a hook. Older hens generally aren't as good at foraging either sometimes due to arthritis. Those that peck around will keep the beak in good shape. Generally my roosters are keeping watch while the hens feed.

Ok that explains alot thank you for your reply to my query. I'm sitting on 2.5 just shy of 3 month olds.

 

[Parront]

I just saw in someones tagline that they made chicken saddles it struck me as an oddity so I had to look it up, they seem potentially like a critical piece of gear that I should have on hand for a variety of reasons.

What other tools should I be placing in my toolkit other than triple antibiotic ointments and Coban(I think it is also called Vet Tape) for wrapping potential wounds?

I have pet carriers sized appropriately to segregate injured chicken(the Army moved us frequently). Having been an Army Nurse I have the medical side covered with goodies like dermabond, suture sets, and a lifetime supply of things like normal saline flushes, triple antibiotic sachets, alcohol and iodine prep wipes, tincture of benzoin and butterfly tape that left the hospital at the end of 12 hour shifts in my pockets unintentionally.

Any other suggestions or directions towards a good link I should read about on hand essentials that you wish you had purchased before ever looking at a chicken? Something as simple as an axe could be useful info.

I am willing to bet that a thread like this already exists if so and you know the search terms I missed please direct me there. TY in advance.

You sound set for medical supplies!
I wish I would have known how many dogs were running loose in my neighborhood looking for chickens! That was my biggest problem, dogs getting in my yard and killing my chickens. I would have built a much more secure coop. That is what I plan to do this time around. Also, the coop will be bigger this time!
This time, I will try to only have one breed. I kept having to segregate one or another from picking on smaller & different breeds. I might have to segregate hens from roosters, but at least I hope not to need 6 different pens for different breeds like I ended up with last go-round! (Here's hoping I stick to this resolution, BYC is not very good for this)!
This time I want to have more room to rotate their run to fresh grass, to have them on fresh pasture more. I want to grow some of their feed, too. I went through a lot of bags of chicken feed! Maybe learn to ferment & sprout.