So I have built my Hen House, what will I need now (other than chickens)

[sorky]

Where do you get your supplies from?

What will I need to get started?

What's the best way of doing the bedding?

We have loads of wood chippings, which I can lay in their run, but they will be out n about in the garden. Are chippings ok?

What's the best way of dealing with poo in the garden where the kids are?

How often do you clean them out?

Can anyone recommend an Idiots Guide kind of book to save you poor MN'ers from my endless questions?

Going to see some chickens on Thursday and my Dad is taking me to a supplies shop before then to stock up, but I'm not sure what's essential, desirable etc

I want to have happy hens and an easy life (slattern)

Well done with the henhouse! Of the top of my head you'll need:

Feeder
Drinker (get a big one, you'll be surprised how much they drink in a day!)
Feed - layers for 18w plus, growers for 7-8 wks to 18 wk olds
Bedding - I use aubiose as it soaks everything up. I also scatter some on the poo tray underneath the perch bars so it's easy to clean out each morning. You can use hemp, straw and other types too.
Chippings good for run. Not sure how to clean - have read that people rake them and sprinkle Stalosan over to disinfect. Someone more knowledgable will be along before too long!
You might like to get some mixed corn or mealworms for treats in evening (just a handful mind!)

To clean your house:

Poultryshield (or similar)
I also dust mine with Diatom.

Redmite are the ENEMY!

Poo in the garden ... you need a bucket or trug, a coal shovel and a stick ... and you walk round several times a day lifting it! . Curry poos can be scrapped up and washed away with hose or watering can.

I clean out every morning - takes 5 mins. I poo-pick the grass/garden x3 per day - again, 5-10 mins a time. I'm a slattern and I do a big poultryshield clean once a month -some people do it much more frequently!

I can't think of anything else. Little first aid kit maybe - purple spray things like that. I haven't bothered yet and know I'll be caught on the hop!

Happy chicken-hunting on Thursday - any idea what breeds yet?

Hope this is of some help!

Wow, that's brilliant Millie, thank you!
Where did you buy your supplies from?

I've rung a lovely lady from DurhamHens and told her I'm after;

1 Gingernut Ranger - but she says someone is coming today to collect them all

1 Amber link

1 Rhode Rock (Miss Pepperpot)

1 Coral Nick

She also stocks lots of stuff, so I might just buy it from her. I do like the flytesofancy website though
I'm ridiculously excited

I couldn't sleep for weeks whilst planning my chickens so I share your excitement! Sounds like a great choice of hens ... I've not heard of the Coral Nick so shall google that one! Bet you see more that you like when you go to collect them.

I got pretty much everything from FSF ... henhouse, food, equipment, the works! I'm in N Ireland and shipping costs £££ but it's worth it! Definitely recommend them.

I can't recommend the aubiose bedding enough if you can get hold of it .. it's so absorbent and lasts for ages if you poo-pick every day - you can just flick the droppings out!

I have spent a small fortune at FoF today, it's been dispatched today so I'm hoping it'll come by Thursday or I'll have to postpone collecting the girls

Have bought the Aubiose

We've chosen names too!

Oh brilliant ... I can't help but spend money when I go on their website! What did you buy? I'm really pleased you got the Aubiose ... honestly, it's fabulous. I think I might have said before, but a layer under the perch bars makes daily cleaning much easier. Although, lots of people use newspaper and just whip it out.

We had our names chosen in advance too ... can I ask what or do you want to wait and tell us when you get your girls? Are you bringing them home on Thursday too?

I was thinking about a layer of newspaper, then the Aubiose .

We (kids & Dh) are crackers about Star Wars in our house, so we've chosen.....

Chook Skywalker

Princess Layer

Hen Solo