[Rangerkris]

The more i read the more i need,  What do i need to get before i get chickens ?
Feeder
layers pellets
Water station
Mite powder
Worm treatment
Chicken bedding
Corn
Grit
Some sort of cleaning fluid
Anything else as an essential kits for the chickens please
Any thing else as i am starting to get taken in by all the ad's that i need this this and this oh and that. I think we are getting over eggcited about them now

[Nickchick]

Register with a local vet.  Not all vets will look after chickens.

[joyfull]

the grit should have crushed oyster shell in it or get both separately. they will need their own little pots that you leave out all the time - they may not appear to eat any as they only take them as and when they need it.
Feeder (at least 1 - depends on how many birds you are getting)
drinker (at least 1 - depends on how many birds you are getting)
1 or 2 little pots for grit and oyster shell.
Flubenvet wormer.
Purple spray to use to help disguise redness after any squabbles.
Wound powder to help with any cuts.
Layers pellets.
Mixed corn.
Dust extracted shavings or hemcore/bliss/aubiose etc..
Diatomous earth powder (DE)
disinfectant - I use vanodine V18 liquid and stalosan F dry powder.
Lice treatment - I use frontline spray which my vet prescribes as it isn't licensed for poultry.
and finally something that I cannot stress enough.......................................
VETS that will treat chickens.

[hen-night]

I agree totally with both previous answers and yes... source a vet near you who has hen experience..None of the list of stuff is any good to a dead hen..Aden...

[Mega]

Hi Kris

I have been desperatelty to try and convince my Chris to let me have a couple at home for the past 2 years. He has now asked me to cost it up    I think from all that i have read over this time the inicial layout is quite dawnting but then so is anything really. Vet is first and foremost - good husbandry and good food, lots of tlc and hopefully won't need so much of the 'mite' products etc

Off to plot in a bit - may see you

Sam

[Rangerkris]

Thanks to mega i have the name of a local vet, Thanks Mega 
Joyful i will price this little lot up and see what its going to cost thanks.

[grinling]

May I suggest a small bag of layer pellets or mash if you do not know what the chooks are used to. BIL's chooks prefer mash, mine have pellets.
I use flower pots with a camping peg to hold down for grit/oyster.
Feeders are easier to use if hung up.

[joyfull]

Most of that stuff on the list will last you a very long time Kris. Sadly the initial start up costs are high but it does get better 

[toasted]

id just go for the basics and get stuff as and when you need it, although i have bought a fair few things for them i just tend to use the money i get from any eggs i sell to pay for whats needed.

ive bought a feeder and drinker but to be honest they were useless and a total waste of money and both now scrapped, so i just stuck with a few lengths of guttering screwed to the run frame,there easy to fill and clean and you should be able to find it for free.

for water i use a casserole type tray,bowl and a dog bowl

get some layers pellets,woodshavings and some grit/oystershell

alot of people use ant powder or diatomaceous earth for mite control in the coop
mixed corn for a treat
id say thats enough to get you started, then if you need anything else buy it as needed

ive bought flubenvet to treat them for possible worms 1-2 times a year £26 for 240g of 2.5% mixture which will last me years
i was unlucky buying a infected chicken so took one to a vets because of mycoplasma , treatment cost £50
virkon s for cleaning due to the mycoplasma £15 for a kilo which lasts ages , or you can get little sachets
ive also treated them for lice they had when i got them but i used the spot on stuff for dogs which i had already.
also bought apple cider vinegar,poultry spice but not sure if they make any real difference

[Rangerkris]

Most of that stuff on the list will last you a very long time Kris. Sadly the initial start up costs are high but it does get better 

I knew the initial cost was going to be the biggest outlay, but not to fussed as the cost of the coop and fencing have been soaked up through contacts hahahaha. Joyful you have seen what i look after so know where i am coming from. 
 I just kept finding more and more things i thought i might need to buy.

[ManicMum]

Don't get too carried away - house & run, feeder & drinker (I'd try to get 2 of each to avoid any bullying issues) & some bedding, pellets & grain.

Just about anything else you can get as you need it - it's rare you'll need anything without time to source it, provided you've got an idea of good suppliers.  That'll spread the start-up cost a bit further.

Flubenvet to worm them 3 or 4 monthly, diatomaceous earth before you do the 1st thorough coop clean - unless you're painting it with Hillfooter's slurry before the birds move in.

However, the set up costs do quite quickly fade into the background as you get the fun of the chickens and the first eggs.

[themagicaltoad1]

I agree with toasted, just get the essentials for now and build up your supplies as you go along. I would also get 3 hens not 2. If anything should happen to one of them you're not then left with one lonely chicken.

[hen-night]

Good point on the number of hens themajicaltoad1, as these are social animals.

[Rangerkris]

We are looking at 8 hens to start off with  Going to kent chickens tomorrow evening for a chat with them and to get some advice.
http://www.kentchickens.co.uk/

[hen-night]

Great stuff, hope everything works out for you...Aden...