4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[clucking mad]

i am just about to order the first lot of chickens and i was wondering which of the food suplements nd health treatments (oyster shells grit red mite powder et5c) which of these do i need from the start and which i need handy for when they take a bad turn.

[WitchHazel]

Hi CM

 

it's confusing when you first start, isn't it? It's surprising though how quickly it all makes sense.

 

Here's my list, I;m sure others will agree and disagree:

 

You need both grit and oyester shell (available together as "Mixed Grit"). Have this on offer 24/7 in a separate pot, the girls will help themselves to what they need. This is needed to help with egg shell production. ESSENTIAL

 

Diatom (Diatomaceous Earth) is a grey powder which you put on anything wooden in your coop/run (eg the roosting bars). This kills off red mite.ESSENTIAL

 

Red Mite Powder is something which smells lovely, and you use it to dust your girls to help protext them against parasites, such as red mte and lice, on their bodies. ESSENTIAL

 

Apple Cider Vinegar is good to add to the drinking water, at the rate of no more than 1 or 2 teaspoons per litre. This help the bactieria in their gut work well. HIGHLY DESIRABLE (some would say ESSENTIAL)

 

Flubenvet for worming every 3-6 months. ESSENTIAL (this or an alternative)

 

Bokashi Bran is good for adding to the feed as it stops their poo smelling

 

Some form of disinfectant. I use a powder called STALOSAN, which is safe for poultry ESSENTIAL - but not necessarily on day 1.

 

AVIPRO: a soluble powder which you can give to your hens if they are unwell or stressed or undergoing vet treatment. It can help boost their immune system if they are on antibiotics NICE TO HAVE

 

Bach's Rescue Remedy: good if your chook has a shock. nice to have

 

Poultry Spice: feed supplement to give to the girls eg when they are moulting, or in the winter when they are cold. nice to Have

 

Limestone Flour: another calcium supplement which helps egg shell quality and general chicken health. Some would say ESSENTIAl, some would say DESIRABLE, some would say nice to have.

 

China/Rubber Egg or Golf Ball: great to put in the nestbox so the girls know where to lay. I would say a very good idea, for me it was an essential.

 

There are many other things you might need if you have chooky problems, but I;m not sure you need to get them up front.

 

Hope that helps

[clucking mad]

thanks v helpful

[Nutmeg]

Thank you WitchHazel, that was very helpful for a newbie like me.

 

 

I bought some Red Mite Powder yesterday, which I was going to sprinkle in their dust bath tray and in the Cube corners and roosting bars after cleaning. Do I also need to get the Diatom? Confused as I thought they did the same job.

 

Nutmeg

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Very good list, WitchHazel . I agree with it all but would add .....

 

garlic powder - reduces (or even removes) smell from chicken poop. Add to pellets. (ESSENTIAL - unless you want a smelly eglu )

 

Nutmeg, that Red Mite/Diatom always confuses me too . I think Diatom kills the beasties where they hide (usually in roosting bars) but Red Mite treats the birds if they actually get Red Mites.

 

I hope that's the right explanation (hopefully someone will confirm it) .

[Stevie]

I'll second the garlic powder! Couple scoops to a full Grub container works wonders on poop smells!

[Nutmeg]

Thank you for all the advice.

 

Do I add both garlic powder and bokashi bran to the feed or just buy one?

 

And my final question (for today at least ) Can the mash be given dry or should I wet it with warm water and mix in some treats?

 

Thank you

Nutmeg

[Stevie]

Thank you for all the advice.

 

Do I add both garlic powder and bokashi bran to the feed or just buy one?

 

And my final question (for today at least ) Can the mash be given dry or should I wet it with warm water and mix in some treats?

 

Thank you

Nutmeg

 

Its just the one you add.Garlic neautralises the smell when they eat it plus its real good for them too!

 

Mash can be given dry or you can mix it with warm water during winter.I bought a small bag to see whether they prefered it over pellets and they went nuts over it,but its a lot more messier.

[mayflower]

I'm going to show my complete stuipid ignorance here and ask a couple of silly questions. Firstly, is this any sort of garlic powder you can buy from a supermarket or is it produced specially for poultry?? (see, I told you!)

Secondly, I have just finished....or rather the hens have their second packet of Bokashi bran which I got from Omlet. Where else can I buy this from?? Thanks for your patience with me.!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

No such thing as a daft question .

 

The garlic powder is made for horses so you'll get it in a horsey type shop. Don't use supermarket stuff.

 

I think * Wiggly Wigglers * is one of the cheapest suppliers for bokashi bran.

[mayflower]

Thanks Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody here for the info. Will go shopping!

[Egluntyne]

You can get bokashi bran from RecycleNow.

 

Don't use supermarket garlic powder...it is completely the wrong stuff.

 

ANH is right...you need the horse variety. It comes in 4kg tubs.

 

I add both garlic powder and bokashi bran to by girls food.

 

No need to add water to mash....but you can if you want to.

[Nutmeg]

My bokashi bran arrived this week and I have been adding a handful to the grub each day. Is that the right amount or do I add it just weekly?

 

Could it also be mixed in with mash potato? I'm thinking of in winter to warm their tummies when it is cold.

 

I am sure I read a post somewhere that said add Diatom to their food, I thought that was to be sprinkled on the roosting bars for lice.

 

Apologies for all the questions around feed, I am still trying to unravel my confusion.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice

[Laura & CTB]

I am sure I read a post somewhere that said add Diatom to their food, I thought that was to be sprinkled on the roosting bars for lice.

 

 

You can add diatom to feed - it's supposed to help get rid of internal parasites ( I use it for the office cat who refuses to take tablets )

 

Personally, I would prefer to use Fubenvet as a wormer.

 

Diatom is great for putting on roosting bars and in dust baths.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I add bokashi bran to the big box I keep my girls' pellets in. So they get some every day!

[Nutmeg]

Thank you for clearing up my confusion about the diatom and bran.

[TAJ]

If I add the bran to the grub, they empty the whole thing on the floor - so they can pick it out from the pellets! - I forgot about this last week and add a handful a couple of times - I soon rememebred when a whole grub of food was on the run floor!

 

Now I had it to treats instead.

 

Tracy

[kaylis1980]

great list that as really helped me a lot too. sorry to hijack but can i ask about this...

 

Flubenvet for worming every 3-6 months. ESSENTIAL (this or an alternative)

 

AVIPRO: a soluble powder which you can give to your hens if they are unwell or stressed or undergoing vet treatment. It can help boost their immune system if they are on antibiotics NICE TO HAVE

 

where do you buy flubenvet??

 

avipro- i havent heard of this one, is there other brand names that do the same job?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

This is where I got my * Flubenvet *.

 

I haven't actually got any * Avipro * but did save a website to my favourites just in case. Don't know anything about it though .

[Slats]

I went to horse type shop and when I got the garlic it was little pieces and not a powder (I did ask for powder). I have been adding it and they are eating it but is this wrong?

 

Shells are now much stronger thanks to the limestone flour

[The Dogmother]

Here's a good link to Avipro; it provides some good information on the product, but I can buy it a bit cheaper from my vet and am never without it!

[debbie26pet]

i have the bran and the garlic im still get the odd smell of poo, but today getting a garlic smell,

am i putting to much in?

i use limestone as well for the eggs and apple cider with added garlic.

mash mine love it dry and love it mixed with water as well,

if in run keep as powder as can go sour, i use it as a mash for a treat, they think they getting something good but still there own food, i also add once a week codliver oil to it as well.