Must haves???

[zippi416]

Hi

I am due to pick up my girls this week i am getting 3, 2 goldlines and 1 speckaldy, i have bought the chicken coop and have also built a run in the garden, i have got layers pellets, poultry grit, mixed corn for a wee treat feeder and drinker have also got some mite powder, i am planning to use shavings and either hay or straw for the nest boxes hay only because i get hay any way for the g-pig, what else do i need or would you recomend i have in stock,

Many Thanks

Mairi

[jessmorris]

Plenty of time to watch them ratcheting about their new space..lots of bread for egg on toast.....Flubenvet wormer just in case..............enjoy them!

[Suechooks]

Louse powder, Apple cider vinegar to go in the water, purple spray in case of peckingor injury,
Old tyres, logs, pallets for entertainment in the run, somewhere dry for a dust bath (I put some play sand in a dry area of the run but they choose a raised bed in the polytunnel if they can!)
A shaded area in the run so they can get out of the sun/rain/wind as they won't go back in the coop except to lay or at bedtime.
Lots of time and a chair to sit and watch and laugh at them!
Enjoy!!!!!

[jessmorris]

Does apple cider vinegar really make a difference? Is it the ordinary culinary stuff you use, and how much and when do you use it? I'm intrigued!

[elizajay]

No it's not culinary ACV it's from animal feed stores usually in the horse section.

[zippi416]

Thank you i have read so much about what to have it gets confusing however having spent far to long on here researching i guess i going to have to wait a little longer as i am going to have to creocote and seal my house and run as i want to start out repelling the mite as much as i can,

Mairi

[its hilly]

Hiya Mairi.
I'd recommend a very strong will..cos they are extremely addictive

Garlic powder is a nice extra, cos they love garlic and leeks, and porridge oats to make them porridge in winter..and yes they like it quite hot
Unless you are going to let them free range in your garden for part of the day I would add a hanging basket or similar to the other suggestions to put some greens in for them to peck at. Grass in a run doesn't last long.

JM yes ACV does seem to make a difference. I use the equimins one for horses cos I've got horses too, so I buy 5l tubs. I use about a capfull to 3l drinkers once a week. With the free rangers if I put out one plain and one ACV water, the ACV goes faster, so they do like it. If anyone gets a cold in winter it clears a lot faster if I add garlic powder to the pellets and ACV to the water. So I just do it weekly as a precaution.

[sheena]

Don't forget oyster shell for extra calcium - no-one likes a soft shelled egg, except if your a chook. I have often caught one of my girl's with egg on their face (quite literally).

And a cushion for that chair! You'll be there for hours watching them

[Gro-Bag]

Mine love to climb into plant pots for a dust-bath. A mix of plant-compost and sand seems to suit them.