Solitary chicken - need advice

[pbfhpunk]

Hi, am very excited after 2 years of contemplating my cube arrives on Monday. I will then be sorting it all next week and then that Saturday going to the Warwickshire Rare Breed Farm and picking up 5-6 girls (said the bishop to the actress!).

 

The very nice lady there is going to sell me some layer pellets to get started but I just wondered what else I needed. I'm currently on the flytes of fancy site as I'm going to buy some pink egg boxes, so was going to get some other supplies from there. Can someone give me a heads up as to what I need to start with as I'm slightly confused (happens often) with some things, like does oyster shell serve the same purpose as poultry grit, so would I only need to get one of them? they sell a health and hygeine pack is that a good idea the contents are below:

 

1 litre Apple Cider Vinegar,

1kg Pecka-block,

250ml Life Guard Tonic from the Natural Animal Feeds Company,

250g pouch Verm-X Pellets for poultry,

FREE sachet Virkon Disinfectant, a DEFRA approved disinfectant for use around all animal houses and for cleaning feeders and drinkers...........

 

To get started will I be ok with just, cube, chickens, water and layer pellets? or do I need to buy loads before or just as and when?

 

I';m just so excited as we have the best names for them and I can't wait until we get them to share them with everyone although maybe it's just me that thinks they're amazng names!!

 

Thanks

 

Helen

[Egluntyne]

I would get some redmite powder at this stage too.

 

There are plenty of other things to contemplate at a later stage, but no need to bankrupt yourself just yet!

[Sarah B]

Don't forget to get your 'bedding' all ready for the poo tray and nesting boxes

 

I use Auboise. (Absorbs odours and composts well).

[n2hec]

This is my first time using the forum.

 

I'm getting my Blue Cube on Monday too - but collecting it (would have had to wait another week for delivery - they're just so busy.). Ordered run initially but persuaded DH to build one now. Will collect 3 chickens on Friday 18th from Cotswold Chickens. Bit of a drive for eglu then chickens, but lovely owner (Jude) who is really helpful and loves Omlet and the Eglus!! Has starter pack of 3 chickens, food, feeders, straw, book and 20 minute introduction talk. Will give phone and email help afterwards and also 30 day guarantee so if one of your chooks is a bully or ill or whatever will swap it.

 

Have spent all weekend looking through forum and getting a bit flustered with all the advice and info. Will just have to get on with it when the time comes and work out what's best for our setup. I'm clued up on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and gerbils but this is a first for chickens!

 

Lovely to see how many people are so interested in really giving their chooks a great home.

[joybelle]

I got three hens from Cotswold chickens five weeks ago,they are great

and very healthy. I also have four chickens from omlet that I`ve had since

last october. I kept the new girls separate from the others for three weeks

just letting them free range together and then ten days ago put them all

together. There was quite a bit of pecking for a few days but nothing

violent and now they are all friends. I would recomend Cotswold chickens

and Jude is very helpfull.

 

joy

[Hen Watch]

To get started will I be ok with just, cube, chickens, water and layer pellets?

 

Yes................... That's all you need to start. Give yourself a few days to settle into it then hit the shops.

 

After a week I bought Auboise, Garlic Powder and Mixed Corn (all from a local horse supply shop).

 

1 year on and I've got nearly everything else you can think of as well but I got it over many, many months. Each month I seem to get something new (and don't tell my hubbie).

 

Shhhhh...... Don't tell but today I ordered bokashi bran and live maggots both online (so that's another £20 to hide from my hubbie...).

[n2hec]

So far, I have a huge list of things to get, but that'll be over time and as they're needed. At least I'll be prepared and know what's required for different eventualities.

 

DH is still calculating the cost of his efforts building the run. Why do men worry so much about how much it all costs? I keep reading on the forum about how we girls have spent years persuading them to let us have chickens! I sometimes wonder what century they think we live in !!!