Chicken shopping list ...

[Millie1]

Darnit ... I should just have done one post but never mind.

Am trying to compile a shopping list ...

Drinker
Feeder - what's best. Galvanised, plastic. Water fountain?

Red mite powder
Disinfectant/Jeyes
Feed
Bedding
Grit - they'll be freeranging so do I need it?
Apple cider vinegar

What about worming them? Do they get fleas?

Surely I need more than that?

Is there a good online stockist for above which isn't over-priced. FlytesoFancy seem to have loads of 'nice' stuff but can't help but think there's a good mark-up???

Oh ... am also thinking electricified netting to try to keep Mr Fox out.

Am I mad??????????????

I got a plastic water thing and feeder because I put them in the dish washer once a week

Apparently you do not need grit if free rangeing

YOU DONT HAVE TO BE MAD TO KEEP CHICKENS, BUT IT HELPS! [GRIN]
Your local CWG is a good place to shop. Most animal feed merchants will stock everything you will need as well. The plastic feeders/drinkers are very economical and easy to clean. I used to hang my feeders from the roof to avoid rats getting it. If you avoid a run with any roofing felt in it, you should avoid redmite. You will need a dustbin to keep your feed in, heavy duty plastic is okay, I've never had a rat chew through one so far! if they are free range, I wouldnt bother with grit, they will find what they need. The cider vinegar is very good for them but not essential. I recommend easybed equestrian bedding, CWG should sell that, its cheaper than shavings, and also less claggy, so they dont end up wearing it when its wet, and less dusty than straw and is about £6-7 per huge bale, so is very economical. Flubenvet for worming, and they dont get fleas, but they dont get lice and northern fowl mite, but a dusting of battles lice powder usually does the trick! If you have a secure hen house, and let them out in daylight and put them to bed well before dusk, you shouldnt need to worry about foxes too much, I used to live surrounded by farmland, and mine roamed free quite happily. I even had a couple who went a bit wild and lived in the garden full time, roosting under bushes and in low trees. A good book is handy, possibly 'hens in the garden, eggs in the kitchen' (charlotte popescu). Most of the books have pretty much the same info, this one has recipes too. For a little more entertainment, try 'hen and the art of poultry maintenance'(martin gurdon) it did make me laugh!
Ascott have an online shop for essential supplies which isnt bad.