What am I missing?

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm open to suggestions on what else to get. TSC is a drive from the house and I won't be able to make a quick trip if something gets forgotten. Items for common injury/illnesses would be most appreciated.

Since your TSC is far away, you may want to pick up some Corid to have on hand or you can order it online. I give my chicks a plug of sod and dishpan of dirt from the run the first week so they can start building the gut and be exposed to pathogens in the soil - plus who doesn't love to watch week old chicks dust bathing Not a sure fire way to prevent Coccidiosis overload, but it won't hurt.

Your other first aid/emergency supplies are likely in your medicine cabinet already - triple antibiotic ointment, band aids/sports wrap for any spraddle or splay leg (I've never had that with shipped chicks), you can always make your own saline with salt and boiling water. There are a lot of common household products you can use to treat minor mishaps.

I don't know anything about the panel heaters so can't comment on that, but I agree with @lazy gardener a MHP system is the best. I will never use a heat lamp again.

It's exciting to get new chicks! Congratulations, relax and enjoy them they grow soooo fast. Don't overthink and over read you will drive yourself crazy.

 

[True Patriot]

Just hire a neighborhood kid or two to help with the coop build if you're in a rush, $10 and they would be glad to carry lumbers for you, ride their bicycle to the store for some extra screws, chicken feed, beer run, etc etc

I'd love for it to be that easy. The neighborhood kids are all grown and the nearest store is over 20 minutes away. Lowe's is 40, and TSC is almost an hour.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

For me the Sav-A-Chick electrolytes works better for chicks. Could just be my picky birds though. Do you know if the chicks are vaccinated? If they are you want to stick with the non-medicated, if not it's really a personal preference and you can go either way. If TSC is a drive you may want to have some Corid on hand just to be safe.

 

[True Patriot]

Since your TSC is far away, you may want to pick up some Corid to have on hand or you can order it online. I give my chicks a plug of sod and dishpan of dirt from the run the first week so they can start building the gut and be exposed to pathogens in the soil - plus who doesn't love to watch week old chicks dust bathing Not a sure fire way to prevent Coccidiosis overload, but it won't hurt.

Your other first aid/emergency supplies are likely in your medicine cabinet already - triple antibiotic ointment, band aids/sports wrap for any spraddle or splay leg (I've never had that with shipped chicks), you can always make your own saline with salt and boiling water. There are a lot of common household products you can use to treat minor mishaps.

I don't know anything about the panel heaters so can't comment on that, but I agree with @lazy gardener a MHP system is the best. I will never use a heat lamp again.

It's exciting to get new chicks! Congratulations, relax and enjoy them they grow soooo fast. Don't overthink and over read you will drive yourself crazy.

Thanks for the response. Corid is added to the list. I'll add some local soil when they arrive, great idea. I can't help over thinking, but I'll try to limit my paranoia.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh...I forgot Poultry Nutri-Drench! The Sav-A-Chick is fine if your TSC only carries that.

As far as I know, MPC does not offer vaccination for Coccidiosis. If they do, then the OP would have purchased that separately upon check out.

 

[True Patriot]

For me the Sav-A-Chick electrolytes work better for chicks. Could just be my picky birds though. Do you know if the chicks are vaccinated? If they are you want to stick with the non-medicated, if not it's really a personal preference and you can go either way. If TSC is a drive you may want to have some Corid on hand just to be safe.

Wyorp just barely beat you to the corid. But you got the sav-a-chick in time. As far as I know they are not vaccinated. I didn't request it at least.

The shopping list grows

 

[KikiLeigh02]

If you didn't request it they shouldn't be! If you have any trouble finding the Corid check the cattle section. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[lazy gardener]

I do not spend money on Sav-A-Chick. For this reason: If the birds need electrolytes, it's a one shot deal. And I can make it for free: 1 qt water, 2 TBSP sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda. However, Poultry Nutri Drench can be given daily without fear of messing up their electrolyte balance. I put 1 dropper full in a qt. of water. My chicks get it daily for the first week, then every other day or so for the second week, then 2 - 3 x/week for the remainder of the first month. Make sure to change the water out every 24 hours if adding ANYTHING to it. And if giving electrolytes, you should also give them plain water.

 

[lazy gardener]

Seriously, what kitchen does not have sugar, salt and baking soda? I get more peace of mind by saving my pennies, and using what I have instead of buying something which is not really needed. But, every person has their own priorities about how they will spend their money, and what they consider to be an appropriate cost of convenience.

 

[lazy gardener]

Honey is an acceptable alternative when mixing up lyte solution.