Are you thinking about getting chickens, or do you already own some? Well then, this blog is for you. Today, I am going to share with you eight must have items to keep on hand if you own chickens or are thinking about getting some. It is always important to be prepared ahead of time, so that it doesn’t cause you a headache later on. Before getting chickens make sure you have these items on hand.
The first thing on my list is a chicken coop. Now this may seem like an obvious thing, but make sure to always have the coop prepared ahead of time even if you are just getting baby chicks. You will find yourself so busy with your little babies that it is super important to already have the coop complete. They grow so fast and before you know it, you will realize that they need to be moved to their outdoor coop! To keep enjoying them without any stress just get your coop completely ready before purchasing your little babies. Make sure that you think about your climate, if you live in a hot area then you will need to have some nice air flow and if you live in a cold climate then you will need a well insulated coop. I will go more in depth about what to look for in a coop in a later article.
The second thing on my list is a water system. You will need to make sure to always have a constant clean source of water for them. Whether you decide to buy or make the water system, make sure to keep it fresh and clean. If you live somewhere where it gets cold in the winter, make sure that you have a heated watering system when needed.
The third thing on my list is oyster shell. Now this will only apply to your laying hens. Oyster shell is a great source of calcium for your ladies. Because the egg shell is made up of so much calcium, you need to be sure to give your girls enough calcium for strong and healthy egg shells.
The fourth thing on my list is diatomaceous earth. This is a very important thing to always have available, because it is a natural dewormer. If your flock has worms, this is a great and natural way to get rid of them. Diatomaceous earth will also kill mites and other bugs that can really do a lot of harm to your flock.
The fifth thing on my list is cornstarch. Now this may seem like a weird thing to have on hand, but it is an essential for us. If one of the chickens is pecking another, sometimes they will draw blood, and you will need to clot the blood. That is what we use it for. We dab it on the cut and it will help stop the bleeding! Once Fluffy got cut on her comb and it was bleeding a lot so we put some corn starch on it and it worked!
The sixth thing on my list is grit. Every single chicken should always have grit available at all times. Grit is tiny rocks that chickens eat to help them with their digestion, because they do not have teeth to help them grind their food. The grit is stored in their gizzard than the food gets ground up inside. Make sure that grit is always available for your flock.
The seventh thing on my list is mealworms. Mealworms are a great source of protein for your flock! Especially when your birds are molting, they will need that extra boost of protein to help them regrow their feathers and, they are just a healthy, tasty treat for them.
The eighth and final thing on my list is roosting bars. Make sure to have somewhere for you to have these roosting bars. You want your birds to feel like they are in a natural habitat. Chickens in the wild will perch on tree branches to hide from predators, so it is their instinct to roost at the highest spot possible. Usually chicken coops will come with roosting bars but if they don’t be sure to add them. The ideal amount is 1 foot per bird, because that will prevent fights and overcrowding, but you can work with what you have. Roosting bars should be at least 2 inches wide and sometimes wider in cold climates where chickens will sit and cover their feet with their feathers to keep them warm and prevent frostbite.
Well there you go! That was 8 essential items for your chickens. Now you can be prepared for whatever challenges your flock throws at you.
Other articles that you may like:
- Reasons why your hens may not be laying
- A guide to raising chicks week by week!
- Three reasons why you need a rooster!
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