From the Uk. This is the 'go to' RUclips channel. So much sense talked. Animals are not stupid. Give them what they want, the favour is returned many times over.
I agree, give'um space. My wife has a coca-ma-me plan to "grab" a chicken she sees that lives on a apartment balcony in a dog crate by her job (She gets all worked up about that chicken). We use a 12x20 carport that I covered head to toe in hardware fabric for our pen with the coop inside, we cant let them free range outside of that unless were there (raccoons and foxes everywhere).
I just love your outlook on farm life. You are an inspiration to a lot of us. I am in southwest Georgia in a subdivision on a quarter acre total. That includes the front yard, which I don't use. The house. Then there's the back yard. We have a massive in ground pool, a pool house, a shed and a pergola. We have a peach tree and 12 raised beds. Two dogs. And this spring, we want to add 4 chickens to our plot. It's a lot to take care of my little piece of paradise, working full time. I can't imagine how much it takes you to do yours, but you make it look easy. Thank you.
Good video. I like the way you handle your animals. I have the acreage necessary to free range my chickens more than I do but we definitely have coyotes and other predators to be concerned about here in Alabama. Alabama.. Enjoyed your video. Robert Castello Dixie General Store Heflin Alabama
Well communicated! I love your videos and have learned a few things from you so thanks! I have a big run because I can't let my girls free range very often for very long. I do all I can to keep them from getting bored tho. I wish I could do as you do. I have to keep my run completely enclosed because of all the owls, hawks, eagles, turkey vultures and every 4 legged thing that wants a chicken for a meal. It can be dangerous for them to free range. I don't live where they are so I can only go after work but they are loved and well cared for. And no lights. 😂❤
For chickens in the winter as long as the chickens have a cupe that the chickens can go in that's dry and block from the wind and have fresh water 💦 that is not frozen an get good food all the time I think that's all they need
Agree. We do the best for our animals that we can with what resources we have. Im fortunate in that my egg layers are pets and i love giving excess eggs to family and community friends. Im more hobby farm than homestead because im too sentimental to harvest my animals. Weird because i used to hunt with my Dad, and cook and eat that harvest.
I guess the great thing about chickens in particular is that they'll still serve a purpose even if you don't intend on eating them yourself. Eggs as well as insect/pest control and lawn fertilizers, lol.
I am also in Michigan but northern mi. We actually have the same coop that you do but it is extended for when we had ducks. There is a separate area with a door that they could be without worry. Not having ducks anymore we use that separated area for the heated waterer and we do have a heat lamp on a timer. Mostly because I do not have night vision and it helps me find my way. They know when it comes on in winter at night it is time to go to bed and they go into their coop. In the morning when it comes on they know we are on the way out to let them out before work. it is on for only a couple hours both times. We also changed out roosts to 2x4 and installed poop boards for easy cleaning. Also roosts by window because we have some chickens that like to roost by the windows especially my roo Clemetine ( and of course his favorite girls). We have to have an enclosed run because of Ariel predators, eagles, hawks and great horn owls, we also have 2 fox dens on each side of our property. I am limited to how many chicks I can have because of this issue. We give them as much enrichment as we can with different natural swings and roosts and dust bathing area as possible. Thankfully my daughter also has a flock with free ranging available so we have been able to adjust our girls and roos accordingly. We know that certain breeds are free rangers and certain ones do better in confinement. I am so thankful that we have that option to adjust them to a better environment. which also means more travel for us going between flocks because it is inevitably our favorite girls that need to be moved. So checking up on their well-being is a major thing to make sure they are thriving. Happy girls produce eggs. Right now I do not sell my eggs I donate them to coworkers who can not afford the extra expense or to senior citizens. My daughter does sell her duck and chicken eggs in the summer. Personally I do not have the time or patience so I donate the extra. I also tend to get the senior citizen chickens in the flocks so they can have easy stress free retirements. For me that is perfectly fine, they still enjoy me coming for coffee in the morning, I just wish I could teach them to make my coffee then all things would be perfect. Sorry so long but when I talk about my ladies I get long winded.
I love watching your videos and some have helped us in our journey of chicken keeping. As I see it it is all information it's up to you how you use it. Good or bad.
Everything you said was well said. Each person has an opinion. Opinions pushed on others is sort of like saying every cookie should always be in the same shape. Think about Christmas cookies and how many different shapes they come in. One person thinks the candy cane shape is wrong another person thinks that the bell cookie is a bad shape. Those are opinions. To each his own. Let us not force our cookie cutter onto someone else but just know that you are doing the best that you know how..
I think the only improper way to keep animals is to neglect them, not let them outdoors to be animals and make them live in squalor. If you are trying to make a natural, healthy, spacious, and clean living space for your animals and you are treating them respectfully, you are doing a great job. If you are truly trying and being responsible, just keep it up. Have healthy, happy, thriving animals? Keep it up.
I had 4 chickens, with 1 rooster and three hens and 4 chicks hatched from their eggs with one rooster Can i combine those two flocks once the babies are 15 weeks old or so?
Yes but there will be some pecking order stuff at first. The rooster should be able to keep things under control. But there will almost always be drama with chickens lol
We've always kept multiple roosters. Usually one is the more dominant and everyone else falls in line, especially if your hen to rooster ratio is good.
@edith9348 1 acre is the minimum in the South and is dependent upon the quality of the grass and in dry years you would need more . Also dependent upon whether you buy in hay or cut your own. The safe bet would be 1 acre minimum per cow of pasture and 1 acre per cow of hay land
I wish there was a way I could come meet these people and hang out with them on their homestead and hang out that'd be so awesome and also where do I get their merch?
The only thing I would say is don't humanize them, or push human sentimentalities onto them. I've always loved animals, but the ones I've found to be the happiest are the ones that are properly cared for as well as allowed to live an animal's life. For instance, more or less the happiest dogs that I've seen are farm/hunting dog with a job to do. A lot of our domestic animals were bred for a specific purpose once upon a time. Nowadays, the pressure of keeping animals for these reasons are arguably no longer as much of a requirement for the average person as they once where, so most have been 'downgraded' to being only kept as 'pets', and a lot of breeds have undergone changes (sometimes drastic) in appearance as a result. I believe keeping them for purposes other than solely for our pleasure can really help to further appreciate how amazing they are, and broaden your understanding of the struggles people faced for nearly all of human history. Here in the West, most of us are incredibly fortunate and blessed to live in a time where we don't have to constantly compete with nature for the food we put on our tables, or worry about becoming food ourselves (well, for the most part, lol).
My thoughts- people have kept chickens(very simply and cheap)forever, what works for you and you can afford is best for you. I ignore the so called self appointed experts. We have 3 acres , half is forest. Lots of neighbors have large farms. We are grateful we can support them and buy our beef from them.
Personally my chickens live on a wooded hillside that's got pretty dense foliage half the year. Hawks live around us but they don't seem to want to be involved in the wooded area. Haven't lost a single one 2 years and running. I think if they were in open space without overhead tree covering they'd get gotten.
@@MichaelSmith-ku7ki I live in a wooded area too and lost two hens from a hawk. Both times I caught the hawk on top of my hens but it was too late 😩 So now I have them in a yard with fencing and hawk netting. I’d like to try free ranging again but not sure if I should. If I could I’d put hawk netting over my whole property
I was told hawks don't like crows so get you some black chickens. Or a recording of crows. Just an idea do not know if it works. I have hawks by my property but I don't let the girls out unless I am out with them. My rooster has been doing a pretty good job of keeping them in protective areas. Also hawks hunt first thing in the morning or later in the evening just before dusk.
@@shelleyquandt8243 thanks i do have a lot of black hens but not all are. The hawks around here tend to hunt at all hours. The two attacks that killed my girls were afternoon attacks. Then we had an attempted attack right in front of me and my dogs around 3:00 pm in august. The hawk actually found a small opening in the hawk netting and swooped in. Right before that happened the rooster warned the girls. The hawk was guy of towards them about 4-5 feet above the ground and then got caught in the netting. It was the craziest thing!!! I was running alongside the fence to grab a net to catch it but it wound up freeing itself and found another small gap in the netting and flew away. Needless to say I went out with zip ties right away to get those opening closed up.
We've been skipping out on a light in the coop but 4 hens still lay like clockwork. That's making me think maybe it's okay to stimulate laying with a light. Anyone read a study showing that it actually harms them? Let me know if so.
I don't heat mine they have plenty of feathers and they have a place to roost their run is moved every day so they can peck and eat you have more than mine they do fine mine lay heavy and all winter
Like most livestock, no wind, no rain, deep bedding and they don't need us to fuss with heat lamps. They acclimate and they are fine.
Perfectly said! You're doing great. We are on the same page
Your doing a great job taking care of your animals.
From the Uk. This is the 'go to' RUclips channel. So much sense talked. Animals are not stupid. Give them what they want, the favour is returned many times over.
I agree, give'um space. My wife has a coca-ma-me plan to "grab" a chicken she sees that lives on a apartment balcony in a dog crate by her job (She gets all worked up about that chicken). We use a 12x20 carport that I covered head to toe in hardware fabric for our pen with the coop inside, we cant let them free range outside of that unless were there (raccoons and foxes everywhere).
100% on the free ranging and heat lamp, we also do things as natural as possible. You guys are doing a great job 😊
I agree🙂
I feel u are doing a great job with your chickens I enjoy watching everything your doing. 😊
Enjoy your video...keep them coming....
I just love your outlook on farm life. You are an inspiration to a lot of us. I am in southwest Georgia in a subdivision on a quarter acre total. That includes the front yard, which I don't use. The house. Then there's the back yard. We have a massive in ground pool, a pool house, a shed and a pergola. We have a peach tree and 12 raised beds. Two dogs. And this spring, we want to add 4 chickens to our plot. It's a lot to take care of my little piece of paradise, working full time. I can't imagine how much it takes you to do yours, but you make it look easy. Thank you.
You’re doing much more than a chicken needs. You are a great animal caretaker.
Everyone should do things in a way that suits their lifestyle best, period!
love your channel
Good video. I like the way you handle your animals. I have the acreage necessary to free range my chickens more than I do but we definitely have coyotes and other predators to be concerned about here in Alabama. Alabama.. Enjoyed your video. Robert Castello Dixie General Store Heflin Alabama
Well communicated! I love your videos and have learned a few things from you so thanks! I have a big run because I can't let my girls free range very often for very long. I do all I can to keep them from getting bored tho. I wish I could do as you do. I have to keep my run completely enclosed because of all the owls, hawks, eagles, turkey vultures and every 4 legged thing that wants a chicken for a meal. It can be dangerous for them to free range. I don't live where they are so I can only go after work but they are loved and well cared for. And no lights. 😂❤
🌺👍good job!
❤
agree
Again, wisdom beyond your age 🤠
We also do the deep litter method and no heat lamps. They deserve a break.
For chickens in the winter as long as the chickens have a cupe that the chickens can go in that's dry and block from the wind and have fresh water 💦 that is not frozen an get good food all the time I think that's all they need
Agree. We do the best for our animals that we can with what resources we have. Im fortunate in that my egg layers are pets and i love giving excess eggs to family and community friends. Im more hobby farm than homestead because im too sentimental to harvest my animals. Weird because i used to hunt with my Dad, and cook and eat that harvest.
I guess the great thing about chickens in particular is that they'll still serve a purpose even if you don't intend on eating them yourself. Eggs as well as insect/pest control and lawn fertilizers, lol.
Well said! I think you guys are doing amazing things and treat your animals well! Love your content ❤
I am also in Michigan but northern mi. We actually have the same coop that you do but it is extended for when we had ducks. There is a separate area with a door that they could be without worry. Not having ducks anymore we use that separated area for the heated waterer and we do have a heat lamp on a timer. Mostly because I do not have night vision and it helps me find my way. They know when it comes on in winter at night it is time to go to bed and they go into their coop. In the morning when it comes on they know we are on the way out to let them out before work. it is on for only a couple hours both times. We also changed out roosts to 2x4 and installed poop boards for easy cleaning. Also roosts by window because we have some chickens that like to roost by the windows especially my roo Clemetine ( and of course his favorite girls). We have to have an enclosed run because of Ariel predators, eagles, hawks and great horn owls, we also have 2 fox dens on each side of our property. I am limited to how many chicks I can have because of this issue. We give them as much enrichment as we can with different natural swings and roosts and dust bathing area as possible. Thankfully my daughter also has a flock with free ranging available so we have been able to adjust our girls and roos accordingly. We know that certain breeds are free rangers and certain ones do better in confinement. I am so thankful that we have that option to adjust them to a better environment. which also means more travel for us going between flocks because it is inevitably our favorite girls that need to be moved. So checking up on their well-being is a major thing to make sure they are thriving. Happy girls produce eggs. Right now I do not sell my eggs I donate them to coworkers who can not afford the extra expense or to senior citizens. My daughter does sell her duck and chicken eggs in the summer. Personally I do not have the time or patience so I donate the extra. I also tend to get the senior citizen chickens in the flocks so they can have easy stress free retirements. For me that is perfectly fine, they still enjoy me coming for coffee in the morning, I just wish I could teach them to make my coffee then all things would be perfect. Sorry so long but when I talk about my ladies I get long winded.
I love watching your videos and some have helped us in our journey of chicken keeping. As I see it it is all information it's up to you how you use it. Good or bad.
Ty acres of adventure. You do what best for you. We do similar like you guys do. Wny gets really cold here too. :)
We agree! Great video!
100% agree with ya 👍
I am following you from Azerbaijan🇦🇿. I wish you to raise muscovy ducks in your garden. And I am sure that you will love them very much.❤❤❤
I'm happy watching your video sir happy farming watching from Philippines ☺️☺️
Everything you said was well said. Each person has an opinion. Opinions pushed on others is sort of like saying every cookie should always be in the same shape. Think about Christmas cookies and how many different shapes they come in. One person thinks the candy cane shape is wrong another person thinks that the bell cookie is a bad shape. Those are opinions. To each his own. Let us not force our cookie cutter onto someone else but just know that you are doing the best that you know how..
Humbly spoken 😊
I think the only improper way to keep animals is to neglect them, not let them outdoors to be animals and make them live in squalor. If you are trying to make a natural, healthy, spacious, and clean living space for your animals and you are treating them respectfully, you are doing a great job. If you are truly trying and being responsible, just keep it up. Have healthy, happy, thriving animals? Keep it up.
Love yours videos.. Thank you !!!🙂
I had 4 chickens, with 1 rooster and three hens and 4 chicks hatched from their eggs with one rooster
Can i combine those two flocks once the babies are 15 weeks old or so?
Yes but there will be some pecking order stuff at first. The rooster should be able to keep things under control. But there will almost always be drama with chickens lol
@@jessicaj8148 yes but there's another rooster that hatched from their eggs, will the two roosters be all right?
We've always kept multiple roosters. Usually one is the more dominant and everyone else falls in line, especially if your hen to rooster ratio is good.
@@gwendolyn9308 is 2 rooster and 6 hens good ratio?
@@ryansiddiqui4865 normally I like to have one roo per five hens, but at the moment I have two roos, three hens. No fighting between them.
You need at least 1 acre per cow in the South. You guys up north probably need 2 or 3 acres per cow
Thank you great info for livestock needs 👍
May I know what's you base it on of 1 acre per cow here in the south and more acres if you live in the north? 🤔
@edith9348 1 acre is the minimum in the South and is dependent upon the quality of the grass and in dry years you would need more . Also dependent upon whether you buy in hay or cut your own. The safe bet would be 1 acre minimum per cow of pasture and 1 acre per cow of hay land
Love your videos ❤
Good things to think about-
I wish there was a way I could come meet these people and hang out with them on their homestead and hang out that'd be so awesome and also where do I get their merch?
Thanks for the kind words! Check out our website, AcresOfAdventureHomestead.com
@@AcresOfAdventure OMG you guys are awesome
Well said
The only thing I would say is don't humanize them, or push human sentimentalities onto them. I've always loved animals, but the ones I've found to be the happiest are the ones that are properly cared for as well as allowed to live an animal's life. For instance, more or less the happiest dogs that I've seen are farm/hunting dog with a job to do. A lot of our domestic animals were bred for a specific purpose once upon a time. Nowadays, the pressure of keeping animals for these reasons are arguably no longer as much of a requirement for the average person as they once where, so most have been 'downgraded' to being only kept as 'pets', and a lot of breeds have undergone changes (sometimes drastic) in appearance as a result. I believe keeping them for purposes other than solely for our pleasure can really help to further appreciate how amazing they are, and broaden your understanding of the struggles people faced for nearly all of human history. Here in the West, most of us are incredibly fortunate and blessed to live in a time where we don't have to constantly compete with nature for the food we put on our tables, or worry about becoming food ourselves (well, for the most part, lol).
Good video. Agree to disagree is a lost art these days.
I wonder if you always feed outside? Thank you, from Hillsdale County Michigan 😊
My thoughts- people have kept chickens(very simply and cheap)forever, what works for you and you can afford is best for you. I ignore the so called self appointed experts. We have 3 acres , half is forest. Lots of neighbors have large farms. We are grateful we can support them and buy our beef from them.
How do you handle keeping hawks away from your chickens when they free range?
Personally my chickens live on a wooded hillside that's got pretty dense foliage half the year. Hawks live around us but they don't seem to want to be involved in the wooded area. Haven't lost a single one 2 years and running. I think if they were in open space without overhead tree covering they'd get gotten.
I would like to know that to keep getting hawks in the yard haven't lost any but worried 😢
@@MichaelSmith-ku7ki I live in a wooded area too and lost two hens from a hawk. Both times I caught the hawk on top of my hens but it was too late 😩 So now I have them in a yard with fencing and hawk netting. I’d like to try free ranging again but not sure if I should. If I could I’d put hawk netting over my whole property
I was told hawks don't like crows so get you some black chickens. Or a recording of crows. Just an idea do not know if it works. I have hawks by my property but I don't let the girls out unless I am out with them. My rooster has been doing a pretty good job of keeping them in protective areas. Also hawks hunt first thing in the morning or later in the evening just before dusk.
@@shelleyquandt8243 thanks i do have a lot of black hens but not all are. The hawks around here tend to hunt at all hours. The two attacks that killed my girls were afternoon attacks. Then we had an attempted attack right in front of me and my dogs around 3:00 pm in august. The hawk actually found a small opening in the hawk netting and swooped in. Right before that happened the rooster warned the girls. The hawk was guy of towards them about 4-5 feet above the ground and then got caught in the netting. It was the craziest thing!!! I was running alongside the fence to grab a net to catch it but it wound up freeing itself and found another small gap in the netting and flew away. Needless to say I went out with zip ties right away to get those opening closed up.
We've been skipping out on a light in the coop but 4 hens still lay like clockwork. That's making me think maybe it's okay to stimulate laying with a light. Anyone read a study showing that it actually harms them? Let me know if so.
Farming for fun and farming for a living are totally different.
I don't heat mine they have plenty of feathers and they have a place to roost their run is moved every day so they can peck and eat you have more than mine they do fine mine lay heavy and all winter
What city and country are you from?
I like your attitude just saying 🐔
Isn't it sad that you have to be so extra careful in everything you say?