Food
The chickens get a mix of two kinds of feed.
You can use the small red bucket to mix up a large white bucket of feed in an approximate 2:1 ratio. Two scoops from the blue bags (Purina Crumbles) and one scoop from the brown bags (Purina Omega). This not a precise recipe, as long as they get some of each.
The bucket of feed goes in the outside feed bin. Inside the feed bin, you’ll see a thin piece of plywood that acts as a diverter. You can use that plywood piece as an approximate fill line, as shown in the photo at left. I’m estimating they’ll need 1-2 buckets of food each time.
Water
1) 3-gallon water fount. This gets refreshed at each visit. Unhook it from the two carabiners and take it outside the chicken run, where there’s a garden hose hanging. The water for the hose should always be left on. The top of the water fount gets a slight twist and pull to separate it from the base. The water fount gets hosed off, particularly the water trough, then refilled. When you hang it back up on the two caribiners, that should make it level and prevent it from dripping.
2) There’s also a 1-gallon water bucket with hose attached. It’s ready to go, but the chickens haven’t taken to it yet. With a little more time (taking away their regular water supply etc.) this might prove to be useful for later.
Eggs
Collect the eggs from the front or back of the nesting boxes. The number of eggs each day and the distribution across the boxes is completely random.
You can take what’s available while you’re here.If you have extra you can’t use, or you’d like to pick up more, check the fridge inside the shed.
Newer egg cartons get placed above older ones. So, take away from the bottom. If you’e adding, you may need to shift the older cartons down.
Treats
If If you feel inclined to give the chickens treats, you can bring some kitchen leftovers with you [see what can chicken eat and what can’t chickens eat], or just use the mealworms and Cheerios inside the shed.
Security
Plan to keep the chickens inside their chicken run. They may think you’re coming to let them out when they see you approach, so be prepared to push them in with your legs as you open the door, just enough for you to slide inside. Be sure the door is latch and secured when you leave.
In case of one or more escaped chickens, the best strategy is to let them return naturally at dark.
