What am I forgetting?

[Cass]

Read everything I can find about chickens...check
Joined BYC so I can get answers when I need them...check
Found SO who has built a house from the sill up to build my coop...check
Aquired windows and some wood from Craig's List for free...check
Read all I can find about coop design...check
Designed a 4x5 coop to fit my needs...check
Redesigned coop to 8x8 to account for "chicken math" I see in my future...check
Looked up simple designs for large feeder and waterer so I don't have get up early to feed the silly birds...check
Priced chicken wire and calculated how much I will need for my run...check
Ordered 4 pullets and one roo from a local breeder for my 8x8 coop...check (Did I meantion I forsaw chicken math in my future)


So why do I feel like I am forgetting something?

Edited to add:
First Aid kit and knowledge to use it
Lawn chairs
Brooder house plans
Live catch trap (maybe)
ammo (don't know for which gun yet, til I see the size of what I'm shooting)
And Patience (my chicks haven't even been laid yet, much less hatched)

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
Disease research? Really comes in handy, learned from experience!

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Quote:
Disease research? Really comes in handy, learned from experience!

x2

It really helps to know what you are seeing when you see it! I also learned, and you should get some handy medicines for some common diseases/injuries.

 

[nuttyredhead]

I agree with pepsnick. Knowing the signs of a sick chicken. It does sound like you have done your homework!!! Good job!

 

[greenSearcher]

Automatic door opener so you may lay a bed and the chickens can get to their large water and feeder, pricey but all luxuries have their price

If the run is to be predator proof, go with 1/2 hardware cloth. Much stronger than chicken wire, and small enough to keep the nasties from grabbing your sweetie and dragging it through the small holes, a bite at a time.

Research and stock up the chicken first aid kit. Should include a scale so you can weigh them as needed. I was lucky and didn't need it when I have finally gotten one well into my 2nd year of chickens.

So far you're doing a good job of getting ready.

 

[g&h farm]

Buy some good books to have handy. I refrence mine all the time. Tractor supply has a good selection. And Storey makes good books. Good Luck!! Do you have any area for them to free range?

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Forget the chicken wire and go w/ hardware cloth and welded wire--at least.. We used 1/2" hardware cloth and chain link fencing.. has worked great... we have stray dogs, fox, coyotes, coons, oppossums and nothing has gotten in --it's been almost 2yrs.. No predator losses..

 

[PepsNick]

Yep, chicken wire qualifies your chickens for the electric chair!

 

[renart]

Quote:
Dixie do you let them out to run free ? I am so so scared of all the hawks we have here, and we don't even have any chickens yet.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Hardware cloth!

Feel free to visit my BYC Page for blog links that you may find helpful or amusing.