Keeping Chickens

[little duck]

Very recently joined the Vine and am just getting ready to keep chickens.

I finished my chook house yesterday and have an added 6m x 3.5m outside run accessed from a pop door. There is also a covered area at the front of the run, protected from rain wind if they don't want to go outside!

I'm not 100% how to add photos so will find out and add some.

My question though. I read a post about what to stock when keeping chickens but am not really sure what they are for? I have a few books on keeping chickens but books are books and it's better coming from people who actually keep them! Dad used to have 24 hens in his handy but that was 30 years ago now so guess times have changed.

Can anyone give me a basic (not sure this is the best word) as to what is needed/best to have and their use?

[Lisasbolt]

Not too sure what you are asking but you need a good layers pellets will a good percent of protein. I keep some oyster shell down, not that they ever use it!! I find it is very important to give them veggies, it will keep them healthy, so i do not compost and everything goes to them. It is so funny watching them run around with a cherry tomato, hiding from the others I also keep the egg shells and give those back to them. As a treat they get reduced brown seedy bread that they love.
I also find it important to provide entertained i could ramble about silly things but i will avoid that today i used a large headed screw nail thing which i push through a whole lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc and hang it from a tree (in my case) and they love bobbing it around pecking bits off. I tried making all sorts of bits like little swings for them to perch on, different play things, balls, pallets turned into weird things! etc but they do not care about any of that but they have a lot of space which is very important to have happy hens and will create less bulling.

Oh don't forget a good dust bath, it is so nice watching them play in the dust

[Scarlet]

i don't really keep much in for the chickens as ive a local agricultural store that has most stuff that I. Could pick up quickly if needed although there are a few things that I wouldn't be without...
Creosote - all coops are creosoted inside and out. At least every other year. I would do it every year if possible. Prevents mites.
Flubenvet - this is a wormer. I use it every 3 months. Don't be fooled into thinking that as you haven't seen them they haven't got any. If you see them it's usually serious and they can kill so use it regularly. You can buy a pre-medicated feed that also does the job that works out cheaper than the powder.
Personally I think "natural" remedies are rubbish and would stick to something that works.
Apple cider vinegar - the horsey stuff. This goes in their drinking water every few weeks. Helps keep their gut clean and has other health benefits.
Garlic - again just drop a clove in their water. Again has health benefits. Not sure it works but it's cheap and it hasn't caused any harm.
I also offer oyster shell and grit alongside their food. The grit helps digest their food. Oyster shell helps with egg shell production. Often the feed has it included although ive always offered separately as well. It lasts a very, very long time.
Red mite powder /diatom. I use diatom everywhere. Sprinkled on the floor of their coop, in the nest boxes, dust baths etc. stops all the creepies.
There are lots of other stuff you can buy although the above list is all I usually have in a regular basis.

[little duck]

Thanks Scarket, just what I was after! I also have a very local agricultural supplier but it was more for what they did. The Apple Cider Vinegar was puzzling me!

[Scarlet]

If you decide to use it, remember that you need a platic drinker for it - not a metal one!

[little duck]

Thanks again, I plan to get two drinkers and feeders for indoor and outdoor areas. Do you still use worming solutions if you buy the feed with it included?

[Scarlet]

No, if you use premeditated feed there's no need to use anything else.The marriges feed has added flubenvet. Feed that for 7 days once every 3 months. Try to get in the smallest bag you can find with a long date on it. I think it comes in smaller 5kg &10kg for smaller flocks.