My Pre-Chicken List

We probably won't be getting our chicks until next spring :-( But the up side of that is that I can slowly start buying up the stuff we will need. In the process of designing the coop right now, but this is my list of "stuff" created from looking at www.enasco.com the enasco web site. I was down at the Big R ranch supply today and can find this stuff for a tiny bit cheaper, no shipping (but round trip driving to the ranch supply is almost 100 miles), and instant gratification. Have I left out anything? I've been looking around the internet and think I will probably build my own nests for cheaper, but I threw their costs in just to give me an idea of what I'll be spending... ideas and opinions very welcomed! Thanks in advance!

ENasco Catalog

8.75 C19295N Halogen Infrared Heat
Bulb with Reflector

6.50 C07559N Brooder and Heat Lamp

5.95 C26649N Solid Bottom Feeder
9-1/2" (To be used for Calcium)

13.85 C19805N Hanging Poultry Feeders - 11-lb.
feeder. 11-4/5" dia. x 10-1/5" H. (indoor)

13.85 C19805N Hanging Poultry Feeders - 11-lb.
feeder. 11-4/5" dia. x 10-1/5" H. (outdoor
will need to move with yard rotation)

21.90 C19442N Large Capacity Automatic Waterer -
3-Gallon Poultry Fountain (indoor)

21.90 C19442N Large Capacity Automatic Waterer -
3-Gallon Poultry Fountain (outdoor
will need to move with yard rotation)

21.90 C19442N Large Capacity Automatic Waterer -
3-Gallon Poultry Fountain (outdoor
will need to move with yard rotation)

59.00 C25731N NASCO's Double Coop (8 hens)

59.00 C25731N NASCO's Double Coop (8 hens)

5.05 C18943(X)N Poultry and Piglet Catcher

3.25 C26037N Lice Killer Dust 1 lb bag
(1 lb good for 100 hens)

193.85 Z30371N Electric Poultry Net
A 164 ft. roll of fence that stands 42" high,
complete with end, corner, and line posts.
Prefabricated with black vertical strings every 3",
welded to yellow electroplastic horizontals supported
by white plastic posts every 9-1/2 ft.
Horizontals are only 2" apart at poultry and predator
heights providing a pain and a physical barrier.
When energized the fence is impenetrable to poultry,
raccoons, dogs, and coyotes.
See fencing equipment for choice of energizers

183.85 C14757N Parmak® Deluxe Field Solar-Pak
Solar-Powered Fence Charger
Shocks through wet weeds and brush for livestock
control in small to medium pastures. Solar-Pak uses
free energy from the sun to charge its powerful
battery for maximum shock - day or night.
State-of-the-art solar panel and 100% solid state
circuitry. Eliminates the need for expensive battery
replacement or inconvenient recharging. This unit
will pay for itself many times over with savings
in batteries and time. Will operate 21 days in total
darkness. Totally weatherproof for outdoor use.
Comes complete with a 6V gel battery, ready for use.
Charges up to 25 miles of fence.
Full two-year warranty
(one-year warranty on gel battery). UL listed.

2.45 C18870N Electric Fence Warning Signs (Pkg 3)

2.45 C18870N Electric Fence Warning Signs (Pkg 3)

2.45 C18870N Electric Fence Warning Signs (Pkg 3)

29.00 SB33205M Mini Temperature/Humidity Electronic Thermometor
with Minimum/Maximum readings

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Not in the catalog, but probably will also set up a fan and mister system for when the temps go over 100*F

This message was edited Aug 6, 2006 2:19 AM

Wow, sounds like you are going to do it up right. I'd say you should be well preparred when it's time.. It will be fun getting ready, and your chickens will certainly appreciate your advance prep.

We'll, I've got 10 months to sit around and think about it :-) I hope so. I just get this sinking feeling like I'm forgetting something somewhere...

That's quite the list! How many chickens are you getting?

The minimum order from the hatcheries is 25, so initially I will be ordering 25 day old Silver Laced Wyandottes. We'll see what the chick mortality rate is after about 3 or 4 weeks - at which point everything over 12 or not female will be sold or given away. (I surely HOPE that I CAN and WILL sell or give them away. I really do not wish to be a chicken farmer - just have a few girls around for pets and some eggs for the family and the dogs.

Ah, now I know what I forgot -- there's nothing on the list for chicks! Only for adult hens! I guess I will have to develope another list for CHICKS!

It looks as though you are seriously prepared! I'm completely the opposite...I just bought some cute chicks on impulse, made accommodations as they grew, and here I am now, with 31 birds.
The only thing you might possibly be leaving off your list is experience in dealing with chickens' wily ways.

If you have extra roosters I'd suggest offering them on your local craigslist.org . People sometimes want a rooster for their hens. Young hens can definitely be sold.

good idea about craigslist... had 3 hens about 20 years ago - they were quite the entertaining girls! Been a while, though. Ah, but I love an adventure!