What to keep in stock for poultry keeping - A list

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snifter

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I've written up this list on my own poultry website/blog and thought it would be handy if I also posted it over here. Its not exhastive and of course everyone has their own stockpile of goodies they use in their poultry keeping. This list is one I compiled after talking with other breeders and also from good advice given over the years. All the things I've listed I have found I've used at some point or other during my time keeping chickens.

Things you should/could keep in stock for regular care and emergencies

These are all the things I keep in stock to help maintain my chicken flock and for emergency treatment on occasion. Some ermegency items I’ve never needed to use, but keep to hand just in case.

Day to day care

* Poultry feed – layers pellets or mash for grown laying hens
* Apple cider vinegar (ACV) – to add to drinking water to prevent worms. Unrefined from horse feed merchants
* Respite – A tonic made from natural ingredients added to drinking water
* Poultry Spice – A powder you sprinkle on and mix in to chicken feed for general wellbeing.
* Lice/mite powder or mite spray – For chickens and housing. Various ones are available. Research as to what will be best for you and your chooks.
* Syringe or measuring pot – for measuring out quantities
* Grit – chickens needs grit to break down their food. Ensure grit is avaiable at all times, especially if not free ranging.
* Oyster shell (crushed) – part of the diet as helps prevent soft egg shells. Again, keep on hand at all times.
* Dettol - I swear by this to clean the hen houses out with in spring and summer to help keep red mite at bay

NB - Most of the above can be purchased from your local feed merchant (not pet shop). Respite is available to purchase online.

Emergency/occasional use items

* Flubenvet or other good worming product
* Red mite powder – For treatment and as a repellant.
* Coxoid (emergency only) – If you have an outbreak of coccidiosis in your flock, you will need to treat quickly, so always good to have a bottle in stock.
* Dog clippers or metal file (only if you plan to keep a grown cock bird and therefore will need to trim his spurs on occasion)
* Hibiscrub – I use this as an antibacterial wash on wounds. If in doubt check with your vet before using(available from chemists)
* Surgical spirit, vaseline and WD40 – for treatment of scaley leg
* Wound powder – for treatment of minor wounds


NB - Some of these items go out of date so if you don't wish to buy them to have in stock, ensure you know where you nearest/local stockist is so if you do ever need them, say Coxiod, you can go get it ASAP and start using it.

:)
 
Thank you for this Snifter. It is perfect for a newbie like myself when stepping into chicken-keeping. Theres so many things to remember and I find it impossible to recall everything. I've got my webpage favourites menu divided into categories to try and help: chicken health/bedding/chicken houses/feed/drinkers etc... but I still feel like I'll forget so to get a comprehensive like this is a blessing!
 
Fantastic list - well done!

Perhaps we could also add this list as an FAQ? I think it would be perfect for the new poultry keeper wondering what to buy.
 
Sure Tim, feel free to use it. Of course, not everyone uses the same stuff as me, but the basics are there and people can add or take off of it what they don't need/want.
 
Thankyou so much. We are just starting out & this list will be very helpful.
 
Hi all,

Day 4 in our chicken world. Have got most of the items on the essentials list, but no grit or oyster shell?
We were advised that as they are free range they wouldn't need it...... Just want to be absolutely sure.

Oh and have been adding a tonic to their daily water, for the past few days, (will continue for another couple) - whilst they are settling in..... using NETEX with added seaweed.
Should we stick to this, OR change to a monthly dose of apple cider vinegar OR use both in conjunction with each other?


Many thanks
 
Hi elmwood

Re ACV - I prefer to use it for one week a month. Some people use it one day a week. Both are good. I prefer the once a month approach as its easier to remember and manage for me.

I don't know about the seaweed so can't comment. I've never heard of it being given. I have always used ACV as some very good poultry keepers told me about it ages ago and its never let me down.

Even if free ranging I'd get some poultry grit to have to hand in their run in a bowl or something. It only costs about £1 a small bag in pet shops and if free ranging will last you a fair while. But just handy in case they need more than the ground is giving them some days.

Oyster shell - I tend to keep a bag around so if I get any soft shelled eggs I can start giving it to the chooks. But I often don't keep it out the whole time for them. Many poultry keepers do keep a bowl of it for chooks to ad lib with. I had far more problems with ex batts and soft shelled eggs than I ever have done with my pure breeds.
 
Hi Elmwood,I give my hens daily tonic in their water,with garlic.Once a month,for a week I also add ACV,I've seen seaweed for hens and I do think this is an excellent idea,there are a lot of nutrients in seaweed that are beneficial to a lot of animals.
 
I agree with above.

I mix oystershell and flint grit in a hopper - I top it up about once a year!

Normally, when they free range, they will pick up enough grit and modern feeds contain sufficient calcium for them - but they will take what they need so it's handy to have some if they want it.

As for suppliments - ACV is good for many things but most of all the health of the gut - it makes the gut slightly acidic and keeps the worm load they carry low and helps to reduce stress - one of the biggest problems with poulty.

If birds get stressed, they are more likely to pick up disease - a strong immune system is the best building block to stop disease and as Lydia says, garlic is pretty good for this and I believe seaweed extracts are pretty good too. It is amazing to see how much some of these things can cost though - I tend to look at the ingredients to decide on what to buy, rather than the flashy label...

I don't use many vitamin suppliments - When chicks hatch, and on the adults from time to time. Most of the time they get enough free range and from their normal feed but I do give ACV during snow, a move, change in food, etc - anything that can stress them. During the breeding season (ie now) before the new grass starts to grow, I give them vitamins in their water about twice a week.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi,

Thankyou all for your invaluable advice and common sense approach......which we will take on board.
We have spent a small fortune on setting it all up , but I have to say the rewards are worth every penny and more and in such a short time. I swear they know me, and they really do come out to greet me.....
BUT having "free ranged" to another part of the garden- they flew! Having read the thread on "flying Pekins", believe me it wasn't a bouncing bomb flight.....at least 15 foot across and 5 foot high.
Will definately have to monitor that :!:

List- grit and ACV.

Many thanks
Sharron, Mike and Nik
 
elmwood said:
Hi,
Having read the thread on "flying Pekins", believe me it wasn't a bouncing bomb flight.....at least 15 foot across and 5 foot high.
Will definately have to monitor that :!:

List- grit and ACV.

Many thanks
Sharron, Mike and Nik
Click to expand...

Wow,flying pekins,that is impressive.My adult pekins bounce as opposed to flying,but,I did get some young pekin's last week-end.At the moment they are in my lounge,so they can get used to my dogs,me etc.I think 3 are 8 weeks oldish and 2 are only about 6 weeks or younger(smaller than a Serama)and they can fly,but not brilliantly,just better than my adult pekins.
 
You can clip a wing if you want to keep them from flying (it does not hurt them) only cut the flight feathers on one side, but make sure there is no blood in the quills - if so, the feathers are still growing and shouldn't be cut.

Clipping a Chickens Wing may help...
 
LOL,no need to clip mine,they 'fly' about 2-3 foot high,when they're a bit older they'll be 'bouncing bombs' like my adult pekins.
 
ACV is obviously highly recommended but what concentration should I use? I doubt horse strength mixes will do chickens a world of good.

Ta.

Adam
 
Thanks for this great list! I used it to get things ready for my first ever brood which hopefully will arrive this weekend (if the coop ever gets here).The woman in the shop asked how many chickens I have and was suprised when I said I've none yet. She looked in the trolley and said I obviously know what I'm doing. Not quite, but obviously you do. :D
Thanks again. I've picked up lots from this site already and now eagerly anticipating the new arrivals!!
 
welshchick :) Glad its been of use to you. Having most of what is on the list, should stand you in good stead for starting off.

Of course you will find your own things that you like to use and keep other things in stock, but having the basics is always good.

Just remember to not panic if in the first few days of your hens arriving they have a bit of an upset stomach and this shows in their droppings. The stress of a move and new home can often cause this and so long as they are well in all other aspects, feeding, drinking and so on, give them a chance to settle down and see if their droppings return to normal.

I'd also advise during this settling in time to feed a simple diet and don't introduce treats until later on. Keep it to pellets and a bit of corn in the eveing. If they get too used to treats to start off with you may find they become picky and don't eat as much in the way of pellets.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how you get one :)
 
Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure they get peace and quiet from the other animals and children so they can settle. The breeder is giving me a bag of pellets that they currently eat so there won't be a change in their food and I'll start mixing in the new stuff with it once they are happy in their new home. :)
 
can i ask a silly question........ when you talk about acv, are you talking about the sort which can be purchased from the supermarket?? :oops:

I live in nottingham and am having trouble finding a local poultry supply store so am having to buy most things (except food) on line, so if any of you know any where local to nottingham I would be very interested to know.
 
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