emmastar Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 Hi all im going through the things i have allready brought for the chicks and trying to decide what else i need to buy before they arive . So far the list is Shiny new after looking on the fore sale bit and ebay i may as well have brought a new one for them so i have it dosnt arive for a few weeks but i didnt want it just sat there , Indoor rabbit hutch for them to grow up in . Electrick hen . Water and food thingys Books still need to get more organic poultry feed chick crumbs Mixed grit oyster shell I brought some emp superior egg food thinking this is what i needed to also have this pluss the chick crums Leg bands metal storage containers for the foods 2k tub of dried mealworms . Bedding is ariving with the cube i also got this from omlet Ive had a look at the heath care bit on here and carnt seam to get which other bits ill need and what they are for please help . also quanties i have no idea how much ill use of something with 6 chicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 they shouldnt have the oyster grit - its not intended for chicks and will provide too much calcium but keep hold of that and they can have it when they start to lay so it wont be wasted Hold off the eggfood and mealworms till they are about 3 weeks and only give them sparingly offer small grit at this point too, chick or pigeon grit if you can get it The rest of the list looks good - you may need a housing option between the rabbit cage and the cube or maybe put a wide wooden ramp up to the cube - they will still be quite small when they go outside The list looks pretty good, 6 chicks wont eat a lot of crumb but they waste a lot so get at least 5kg to start the only thing I would recommend is that if you dont feed medicated crumb then get hold of some Coxoid to keep just in case as coccidiosis is a devestating illness and treatment needs to be given in hours not days, it is money well spent for peace of mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Ty for the info . I brought the grits for when they are older i didnt knw they needed it sooner so will look for some small grit .i have 5k of chick crums allready and the mealworms are on offer at my work for £18 for 2k so grabed some before they all sold haha The medisins. remodies are what im confused about where do i get Coxoid? Will i need mite powder ? I have a wooden ramp being made for the cube i forgot to say this before :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 O and what else can be used to house them inbetween ? the cube will arive when they are 5 weeks old , i do have am old rabbut hutch that can be used with the puppy pen but this will have to be outside , will they not get cold at 5 weeks ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 You'll need mite powder when they go in to the cube but that will be when they are 6+ weeks old so dont panic Coxoid can be bought on the internet very easily or in an agricultural merchants They will only need the tiny grit for a short time and will only take tiny amounts so a small packet of budgie grit from a pet shop will be fine - dont buy load, I bought 2kg a couple of years back and still havent used it all 250+ chicks on! You are pretty well organised Just seen your note about the housing - the cube run will be fine for them its the distance up to the house that may cause a problem but if they dont have to tackle the ladder they should be ok if it was me I would: Put the wooden ramp on when the cube arrives and set it all up as normal but leave out the roosting bars and cover the trays with some bedding as they shouldnt perch at a young age (the perches can go in at about 16 weeks old ish) When they are 6 weeks old put them out in the cube run in the day for a week or so bringing them in at night Then try to persuade them to use the ramp from there on in, you may need to post them in to bed for the first few nights but they will get there eventually they will be warm enough in the cube as long as they ahve some bedding to snuggle in If they are struggling with the ramp then a cat carrier covered with a blanket (leaving the front uncovered) will be ok as a temporary coop down in the cube run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Lol i like to have things ready other half moaned i dont get things ready for him like this i think he thinks his washing is done by fairys for work lol and they must do the shoping and cook also I will go to the local pet shop on my next day off to find grit , will also order some Coxoid soon so i have it in stock and will add the mite powder to my order to arive with my cube . Got lots of newpaper ready for the indoor cage as i hate smalls . Also have a spare cat carrier and also a dog cage they could be used outsie the dog cage has a waterproof tarpauling they will keep them dry . I also need to go round the garden soon and get info on what plants they carnt eat as i work in a garden centre my garden has some mad plants in and i may need to move some of them to the front before they can eat them like my stunning foxgloves ive planted a huge herb garden but think as this will be in there fr area it may need replasing often , good thing i have a good supply . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 Im getting very excited now only 4 days left to go and i have most things ready still got to order the Coxoid im going to look for that now . There baby house arived today so super excited about that , Its pink and the kids love it I have started to collect newspapers is this ok forthem for few days ? for the bottom , and whatelse an be used i was thinkig woodshavings from the pet store will there be ok ? also my nana ased me today if the electric hen will be ok in the indoor abbit hutch as its plastice just aking if this is ok i think it will be unlessthese are designed ocookchicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/coxoid-coccidiosis-/260484326392?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&hash=item3ca61363f8 Will this be ok ? and also will this ammount be ok with 6 chicks if needed ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 I now have everything ready for them :) waiting on the coxid to arive but all is well , brought them another metal bin for treats and filled it with sunflower seads , also a metal treat apple shaped feeder that i can put mealworms in for them to peck at , thinking of things for them to do while im at work when they get a little older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
