Have I covered the basics???

[MrsOnTheMove]

The house and run are in place, the chickens arrive tomorrow

What else do I need to start with other than;

Feed - do I get pellets and corn?
Feed holder/water holder
Straw
grit?

do I need red mite powders etc...

yes get grit and pellets/corn

and a water feeder or two are vital they drink lots

good luck, I bet you are very excited, how many chooks?

Thank you thought I might need some extra bits

How often do you apply the powders - are these the ones to add to dirt bath?

we are sooooooo excited, dd's thinking of new names for their 3 sisters (their words... not mine!) dd2 has a pram ready for them.... poor chickens... they have nooooooo idea what delights the dc have for them!

We've never had red mite - but I think that's more luck/area we live in than scrupulous cleaning. I do still put red mite powder in the dust bath - which is a large cat litter tray half full of sand.

Straw or shavings for house floor. I like straw best, especially in the nestboxes.

Grit - yes, bag of oyster shell from pet shop/feed merchant. I tend to mix ours with their feed rather than have a separate hopper for it. And occasionally I scatter some on the floor.

Pellets or corn - Do you know what they've been having until now? If they are going to free-range then corn only will do. If they are spending most of their time in the run then the pellets may be better.

If you want to make friends with them very quickly get some sweetcorn! Tinned, frozen or fresh on the cob, they'll eat it from your hand and be very happy! (Something the DCs can do).

You may need to worm them (just involves mixing powder into their feed for a few days). I usually only do this twice a year, spring & autumn. Scats stock a powder called Flubenvet which is often behind the counter.

Have a great weekend with your new chickens.

They have arrived!!!! 3 girls that the DC have named Bessie, Elsie and Tiger Lily (DD2 named that one - goodness knows where she got the name from!!!)

Little nervous with the 'new girls' DH nearly had a heart attack when he saw them pooh in the first 5 minutes

They are settled, tucked up in bed and am hoping they will be ok till the morning.

Got all the bits recommended above had a moment when the 'very nice lady' mentioned the DC's catching worms that I contemplated reconsidering.... but we've done it