Watch This BEFORE You Keep Chickens 🐔

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  • Опубликовано: 21 дек 2024

Комментарии • 680

  • @epicgardening
    @epicgardening  Год назад +101

    Thanks to Grubbly Farms for sponsoring this video - we've loved and used them for 2+ years now as our exclusive chicken feed: Get 30% off your first Grubbly Farms order when you use code "EPICGARDENING30": glnk.io/2k9j/epicgardening

    • @keepcalm3275
      @keepcalm3275 Год назад +4

      😅

    • @woodworkerroyer8497
      @woodworkerroyer8497 9 месяцев назад

      I love that you used what appear to be pruners to cut wire (I'd they're not, they sure look like pruners). Don't do that. They'll chip the blade, if they even cut the wire at all. You can get real wire cutters, and if you're on a budget, find some at harbor freight for $3-$5...

    • @orionxtc1119
      @orionxtc1119 3 месяца назад

      how about rats?

  • @siamstation
    @siamstation Год назад +669

    I have had chickens for a good 50 plus years. I'd be lost without them. They lay those amazing bum nuts, great workers in their compost bay and you can tell them your life's secrets and they won't repeat it. Grandkids love collecting those eggs too. Blessings from Australia 🌏🦘🐥🐤🐔🐓

    • @epicgardening
      @epicgardening  Год назад +29

      Truly an amazing creature

    • @decodyg484
      @decodyg484 Год назад +54

      Bum nuts!?!? 😂

    • @siamstation
      @siamstation Год назад +32

      Bum nuts is an Australian slang for chook eggs. 🤣😂🧡🐔🐓

    • @decodyg484
      @decodyg484 Год назад +24

      @@siamstation I shall call them nothing else again

    • @justineetzel
      @justineetzel Год назад +22

      Hahaha... I call them butt nuggets.. husband always just shakes his head😂😂

  • @jasonellis7856
    @jasonellis7856 Год назад +359

    It's rather ironic towards the end of the video you mentioned the psychological benefits to keeping chickens. After a rather nasty work accident messed me up both physically and mentally and the loss of our dogs due to old age I fell down a very dark and slippery slope. One of the things my psych suggested was getting chickens. We had previously discussed and considered it, but I can safely say was the best decision we could have made. They gave me purpose, a reason to get out of bed each day and spent countless hours with them chatting and an unbiased opinion for my woes.

    • @doodlesthegoose7085
      @doodlesthegoose7085 Год назад +26

      All of my farm animals did the same for me after a disability caused by medications. My chickens have names by their groupings (I have Norma's and Betty's and Buffy's and a few odd ones named Lola, Sally, Mabel (x2) and a sad sad hen missing a toe to a rat trap. She's Chinese. Her name is Wan ("Wan Toe Missing"). She's, of course, my favorite. They all have personalities and I have only had to cull a couple of mean roosters (and they were REALLY mean or they'd still be breathing). I love my birds, horses, dogs and last remaining goat!. Living with animals, growing a garden and trying to self-sustain have brought me back to some semblance of health. Much love to you, Jason! There's life after tragedy. It's just....different.

    • @jasonellis7856
      @jasonellis7856 Год назад +7

      @@doodlesthegoose7085 we have names ours after actresses ironically by colour. We have Black Betty (an actual song by an Aussie band called Spiderbait. She's our Australian Australorp. Julia, after Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman, although being a redhead possibly our first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard as she's the spokeswoman of the group. She's a cross between a Golden lace wyendot and Barnevelder, also Ezme an English Dorking. Ezme was a character in a long running Oz soap and was the neighbourhood busy body. Finally we have Lucille, a ginger but not sure of her breed as one of our neighbours found her at the local market with a rope around her neck and rescued her and we adopted her, but is named after Lucille Ball as has identical hair colour. All have incredibly sweet and beautiful nature and so unique in their own different ways and not a single day goes by when they make me laugh my ass off.

    • @epicgardening
      @epicgardening  Год назад +17

      I'm so glad to read this Jason - they're truly awesome creatures that have benefits you really can't quantify in $

    • @margarethempenstall9741
      @margarethempenstall9741 Год назад +1

      What a blessing for you. ❤

    • @BoomerConfeti
      @BoomerConfeti 9 месяцев назад +3

      Thank you so much this story resonates with me deeply I am a foster kid struggling being independent in this crazy world growing up as a Oprhan is hard this gave me purpose and a reason to get out of bed something I really needed I love my chickens 😂 shout out Linda and Felicia

  • @vanessabarnes2169
    @vanessabarnes2169 Год назад +52

    I have to say, I added chickens to my life this July. I have not gotten any eggs, YET. But Everyday I love going to to see my nuggets that I have been hand raising. They rush to the door making all kinds of sweet noises. They are perfect listeners! Wish I did this sooner. Sometimes I sit on a chair and just hang out, so relaxing.

    • @LC-eu1zh
      @LC-eu1zh 7 месяцев назад +2

      beautiful of you to listen to them/life in this way

  • @TheKankeinaiFactor
    @TheKankeinaiFactor Год назад +282

    One crucial thing missed: chickens hate getting wet! That, and if your coop stinks, it may well be wet and you'll need to put down new bedding and find the leak. Moisture is something folks are going to have to be aware of when building/buying a coop just as much as anything else!
    This was a nice video for chickens, it was a good overview for those looking into looking after birds

    • @lovd888
      @lovd888 Год назад +6

      i hadn’t thought about it, i live in a humid area prone to hurricanes

    • @Sim_JFD
      @Sim_JFD Год назад +30

      Tbh they don't mind getting wet outside, mine happily venture out into rain to hunt earthworms. They do have to have a place where they can dry off though.

    • @croness91
      @croness91 Год назад +1

      agree. they can easily get sick if wet + unclean living area. my dad's chicken almost all died during the rainy season. a fancy breed too lol what a shame

    • @cass6020
      @cass6020 Год назад +4

      So they're cats

    • @WagwanHappyPappyHapPap
      @WagwanHappyPappyHapPap Год назад +4

      @@cass6020 no, chickens are valuable resources

  • @MsMeI
    @MsMeI Год назад +126

    Chicken content never gets old. I think I spent around 1.5k to build a coop and buy the pen and supplies. Obvs not going to be cheaper in the long run for eggs, but the chickens are the sweetest pets and garden helpers. Absolutely worth it for us. I especially adore our australorp and orpington.

    • @myurbangarden7695
      @myurbangarden7695 Год назад +4

      Agreed. Pest 🪳🦟 control is needed for this time of year. Crickets, 🦗 Grasshoppers, hornworms and crane flies are a BIG DEAL. Chickens can help.

    • @upnorthupdate919
      @upnorthupdate919 Год назад +1

      Thats too much

    • @gardengoddess1283
      @gardengoddess1283 Год назад +3

      I just adored my Orpington, she had the funniest personality, but my friend was visiting and his dog found his way into their pen Thanksgiving night and got to two of our chickens, but she was a hero, she was screaming for help and because I heard her I ran out and saw the dog chasing another. I grabbed her and he already bit into her numerous times leaving a gaping hole and the other one too! Unfortunately he got one of her vital organs. She was still alive snd we brought them both to the emergency vet and she wouldn’t make it, this broke my heart, but the other one had surgery and stitched up and we were able to bring her home 2 days later and she is our sole survivor now, 3 yrs later. We’re getting another flock tomorrow and I can’t wait to get another Orpington, she was such a lovely bird and a great leader & protector of the flock. She definitely saved the other birds by screaming for us to hear her. I miss that lovely & chatty lady!
      ✨♥️✨🥰✨♥️✨

    • @AustinMartin-m1w
      @AustinMartin-m1w Год назад

      Me and my dad used some old pallets behind our barn and kinda just built a coop

    • @Luvemliljs
      @Luvemliljs 7 месяцев назад

      @@gardengoddess1283hey how does ur orpington look like? I have just breed the most beautiful ones

  • @Shamustodd1
    @Shamustodd1 7 месяцев назад +47

    The Math Does NOT check out! I'm a retired carpenter who built his own coop using as much repurposed materials as possible. I have six girls and built a 4x8 raised coop with full access underneath plus a movable 16x24 fence so they can "Free-range" the back yard in rotation. So far I'm into it for about 100 dollars per bird. I'm far from rich (Hell I'm not even well off) but the wife and I planned and saved so we could get our back yard flock up and running. Fresh eggs when they start laying will be the bonus, the real value is the joy of bird keeping. Most rural people have some level of animal husbandry as a second nature and even though I live in town this old country boy needs animals to care for to feel complete. My birds give me that and that is why I feel the investment is worth it. Don't get into chickens thinking you''ll save money because you won't. Get into chickens if you enjoy caring for animals and prefer "Farm" fresh eggs.

    • @costcontrolaccounting4613
      @costcontrolaccounting4613 3 месяца назад +3

      Good advice and there is a real satisfaction in being a good Sheppard to your flock. A little food security doesn't hurt either.

    • @ghostgardenfarms
      @ghostgardenfarms 3 месяца назад +2

      I don't think they would be cheap , but your right it's to enjoy GOD'S creature's in real life

    • @bmiles4131
      @bmiles4131 18 дней назад +3

      And they eat scraps and bugs and make fertilizer. If you garden, that’s what your older chickens can still do.

  • @monstaarequestrian376
    @monstaarequestrian376 Год назад +77

    Can confirm that chickens have a huge impact on anxiety. Their little sweet sounds as they forage around and come to you for snacks and pets or just to hang out with you just touch a place in my soul I didn't know I had. Perhaps humanity is meant to be around chickens just as we are around dogs and cats :). More people should get chickens! But you don't need to get the super egg laying breeds! We keep bantams in our suburban garden and they keep us well stocked with cute little eggs! Lol.

  • @cartilagehead
    @cartilagehead Год назад +80

    I think it’s really adorable that you allowed your garden hermit to build his own coop out of trash.

    • @charleswalters5284
      @charleswalters5284 8 месяцев назад

      They think you were joking about garden hermits!

    • @charleswalters5284
      @charleswalters5284 8 месяцев назад

      They used to be rather common among 'our set'

  • @growingmyveggies
    @growingmyveggies Год назад +77

    Thank you for this guide, first one I see for chickens. I enjoy the conbination of Jacques and Kevin showing the similarities in 2 very different coops.

  • @marialindgren4112
    @marialindgren4112 Год назад +23

    Bumblefoot is common when you have square roostingbars, you need round bars in the coop for them to roost on, with a diam of about 2,5 1/4 inch.

    • @y2kenh
      @y2kenh 7 месяцев назад +2

      so is that 2.75" in total then?

    • @brentkinsworthy4999
      @brentkinsworthy4999 7 месяцев назад

      I always thought it had more to do with flying down to the ground.

    • @RAMIRELLI-Art
      @RAMIRELLI-Art 5 месяцев назад +1

      Amen. Some chicken owners even argue about that. I use round bars. In fact, I used a grinder to soften the edges by grinding the bar. I also notices that the chicken bars always seem to be square, and the chickens they go up and down every single day. Sometimes, it is just common sense and being observant.

    • @bmiles4131
      @bmiles4131 18 дней назад

      Tree branches

  • @danielyeroshalmi7492
    @danielyeroshalmi7492 Год назад +64

    here in Brooklyn there are literally no laws other than 6 square feet per chicken, so my 200 square feet backyard is now a farm, behind some skyscrapers... and all my neighbors hate me HAHA

    • @xtiebro
      @xtiebro 9 месяцев назад +6

      I strive to be you someday hahahaha

    • @aarondonald1611
      @aarondonald1611 7 месяцев назад +1

      badass

    • @Fizzicist21
      @Fizzicist21 7 месяцев назад +3

      Crazy, in my small city in BC, which is huge on agriculture and wineries, absolutely no chickens allowed.

    • @marcdc6809
      @marcdc6809 6 месяцев назад +2

      @@Fizzicist21 I think they're mainly considering the risk that diseases and parasites would jump over from a small hobby flock to a big industrial farm... through raccoons and such...

    • @danieparriott265
      @danieparriott265 6 месяцев назад +3

      My neighbors love me: I hand them a dozen fresh eggs now and then.

  • @elebenty5709
    @elebenty5709 Год назад +76

    We've had two hens live past 10, another almost made it. While their egg-laying did slow down, the oldest had stopped completely around year 7, but started up for two years after that.

    • @beccafichtner5305
      @beccafichtner5305 Год назад +25

      We keep old hens - ours are all adopted from people who were replacing old hens with younger birds or were strays caught by the humane society in a nearby city. Although some of my old girls aren't laying anymore, we still have plenty of eggs. I had a white leghorn that laid an egg almost every day for 10 years before she decided to retire. I think the slow down in production is over emphasized for backyard flocks. Most of us are giving away eggs during the spring and summer, so a little slow down is no reason to get rid of old friends.

    • @elebenty5709
      @elebenty5709 Год назад +11

      @@beccafichtner5305 I love that you have a few from the humane society!
      We definitely treat surplus eggs like some folks do zucchini. Co-workers have been grateful for free eggs the way prices ballooned.

    • @upnorthupdate919
      @upnorthupdate919 Год назад +10

      I consider my older bird who have stopped laying as having earned their retirement.

    • @elebenty5709
      @elebenty5709 Год назад +6

      @@upnorthupdate919 Indeed!
      Around here, anything over five years is likely past being a pet and heading toward 'family' status.

    • @midnull6009
      @midnull6009 Год назад +1

      @@elebenty5709 or food

  • @vickibarana7635
    @vickibarana7635 Год назад +24

    I've had chickens just about as long as both of you and I've learned so much about keeping them from you. Have to agree they are totally worth it!!

  • @brentkinsworthy4999
    @brentkinsworthy4999 7 месяцев назад +13

    Treating the cracks and crevices for mites before you throw the bedding down is a very good habit. Mites don't like daylight so they'll hide under bedding or between boards. Treat those areas and they won't have good places to live and breed.

    • @hectort5579
      @hectort5579 2 месяца назад

      treat with what?

    • @brentkinsworthy4999
      @brentkinsworthy4999 2 месяца назад +1

      @@hectort5579 insecticides, used motor oil, etc.

    • @hectort5579
      @hectort5579 2 месяца назад

      @@brentkinsworthy4999 thanks for the info

  • @joebodsford1683
    @joebodsford1683 Год назад +15

    this is the best video to watch to relax. You guys should put a livestream of your chickens up

  • @NBiehle
    @NBiehle Год назад +13

    I put all my garden waste in the run(even stuff they won’t eat) and turn once or twice a week. They go nuts over the worms underneath. It’ll fully compost stuff in like 30 days and they definitely don’t go through as much feed.

  • @MummaMia5
    @MummaMia5 Год назад +6

    Hi from Brisbane Australia. We’d be lost without our girls. They’re very much apart of our family which is why we’ve had them since I was a kid. We had bad flood & at the time the only place they were safe was on our back deck. Cleaning the poop was a daily drama but apart from that, well, they were safe from the flood, had food all day & got to know the rest of the pets & family so much better. Ever since, the girls have been very happy coming up to say hi & visiting us every morning & have found the old laundry baskets their safe place to lay eggs. They are safe, happy & loved dearly & of course their eggs are delicious. Thanks for the feed recommendations. 🐣

    • @marcwolf60
      @marcwolf60 4 месяца назад

      What breeds do you have. I am up near Cairns and started building coup

  • @terrybouck5192
    @terrybouck5192 Год назад +74

    Well good bye Jim! Jacque is a great addition. He’s smart, calm, teaches , he’s a very good addition

  • @gonzoducks8
    @gonzoducks8 Год назад +17

    I just watched your entire Homestead channel during my stay at home vacation. When you were picking out breeds it peeked my interest. I really liked the Andalusian Blue, the Minorcan, and the Castilian Black. It's not even about the most eggs or how big the eggs are. They're beautiful breeds.

    • @epicgardening
      @epicgardening  Год назад +7

      I don't have any of those...they look gorgeous!

    • @gonzoducks8
      @gonzoducks8 Год назад +3

      @@epicgardening they are. As you can imagine they're all Spanish breeds. I'm not sure if you have selected the hens/chicks you said you were going to add, but there is also a Catalan del Prat Hen. If you can find it, you can add it to your flock as an homage to to your time in Barcelona.

    • @gonzoducks8
      @gonzoducks8 Год назад +6

      @@epicgardening Never mind on the Catalan breed. They sound awful to deal with 😆
      "They are good flyers and can’t tolerate confinement.
      They are also very good foragers if given free range facilities. They prefer roosting in high places. They are very hardy and tolerant of hot climates. Catalana chickens are not too friendly and tend to avoid human contact if possible."

  • @evegarcia8829
    @evegarcia8829 11 месяцев назад +3

    Elector PSP is the best solution to get rid of any pest in your coop. I tried everything on the book, and this is the best so far. Great video, btw!

  • @johnrader9912
    @johnrader9912 4 месяца назад +1

    this is the best chicken video i've ever seen. My wife and I have been on the fence about getting chickens... now we are going to get them for sure. Great stuff guys.

  • @lindasoaft9303
    @lindasoaft9303 Год назад +2

    I’m really enjoying my 7 week old Orpingtons and Barred Rock chicks. It took me a year to decide if I wanted the responsibility and the cost. You and Jacques really helped with that decision. You present such great info thru your Y- tube channels that I was able to prepare myself for the reality of owning chickens! Thanks for sharing!

  • @Pinkadie
    @Pinkadie Год назад +10

    One of the best chicken keeping videos I’ve ever seen! Great job!

  • @dallasmavs1078
    @dallasmavs1078 Год назад +17

    Just love watching your videos man and you’re the reason I’ve started my garden. I am dying to get chickens I just don’t have the space or money yet. The inspiration is there though, keep on making videos!!

  • @FloridaFarm_Girl
    @FloridaFarm_Girl Год назад +19

    Love all the accurate information, I free range and theres def a different element because now its one for all. Ive trained them to come to me when i come out they come running from all areas 😂..
    I also use the word “inside” when it rains or danger nearby and they all take off back to the coop ❤ I love my chickens and glad i have them i currently have 32

    • @Elias-xu7uw
      @Elias-xu7uw Год назад

      how did you train them

    • @FloridaFarm_Girl
      @FloridaFarm_Girl Год назад +2

      @@Elias-xu7uw I use bird seed containing black oil sunflower seeds it’s a cardinal mix, I carry the bag and shake it, and when I get them where I want them. I toss some out almost like scratch, over and over eventually they see you and think “treats!!” They’ll come running even without being called

  • @drosene1
    @drosene1 Год назад +5

    And you can teach your children where their food comes from- We are big on teaching our kids that food does not come from grocery stores, it comes from FARMERS! Plus the responsibility of owning animals is such an important life skill. Thanks for the video.

  • @ApiaryManager
    @ApiaryManager Год назад +7

    Great introduction to chicken-keeping guys!
    I live in England where we have a lot of problems with ai (Avian influenza) from migratory birds. For the last couple of years, my hens have had to live in a covered enclosure to protect them from ai.
    You might find they make a bit of noise on windy days too. They definitely don't like wind.
    It's a good idea to add chicken grit to your shopping list. They need that to help digest their food.
    Chickens also have a very amusing personality. They really do!

    • @madammazon2942
      @madammazon2942 Год назад +2

      We always offered our chickens coarse calcium! It would break down over time as they used it like grit, and would keep their calcium levels up😉

  • @Tigerlady248
    @Tigerlady248 Год назад +19

    As for value, having a food source that isn't dependent on supply routes is good in times of strife, so chickens really are also peace of mind in terms of food. Yes, you have to feed them, but chickens will eat rocks and bugs so a little less feed will be fine XD

  • @lovehealthmarket
    @lovehealthmarket Год назад +9

    I’m so glad I watched this video! I’ve been considering getting chickens for awhile now and has gotten discouraged from some other videos I watched. This video was very thorough and allowed me to feel more at ease about what is truly expected when caring for chickens. Thank again, Kev! 💚✨

  • @madfishermanmadfisherman4299
    @madfishermanmadfisherman4299 Год назад +2

    I bought a 8x4 dog kennel. Wrapped it with mesh shade cloth and put chicken wiring on the bottom to keep pretetors out. Built a nesting boxes. My chicks are free ranging during the day.

    • @WS-by5cl
      @WS-by5cl Год назад +1

      This is clever! So you DIYed the nesting boxes inside of the kennel? This seems like something my handy husband could rig up… much cheaper than a full coop. We plan to free range ours anyway!

  • @souffle420
    @souffle420 Год назад +4

    Kudos to people who mention humidity. Yes, chicken *hates* to get wet for prolonged time. In their natural habitat they usually sleep on branches to avoid predator, that's why excess humidity is a big no for them. That's why the coop usually have space below them for better air circulation and to stay away from the humid soil. Remember, good air circulation is a *requirement* , not an *optional* .
    That's why some commercialized pen are abhorred by many farmers. They skipped too many steps.

    • @ruthmeow4262
      @ruthmeow4262 Год назад +1

      And while you need good air circulation, for colder climates you need to prevent drafts in the coop.

  • @elizabethmitchell0071
    @elizabethmitchell0071 Год назад +4

    My favorite are Isa Browns. Have been raising them for about 8 years. Super chill, friendly and lay all year and heavy layers. Short lifespans, oldest we've had was 4 yrs old. So new flock rotations vs hens that grow old and stop laying. They aren't meat birds strictly egg layers.

  • @nchestercountynews4955
    @nchestercountynews4955 Год назад +29

    Herd immunity for bird flu is an option. Compost producers, they will make compost 10x faster than a pile if you give the garden waste.

  • @ryanm540
    @ryanm540 2 месяца назад +1

    Don’t forget that DIY coop doesn’t take into account the massive amount of research, travel, thought, and planning that goes into how to find the materials and how to use them for the coop. So, time is money. If you simply buy a prefab coup it costs more, but there’s zero thought or time involved. It’s literally ready to setup immediately and you can focus on everything else while you wait for delivery

  • @russbowman6801
    @russbowman6801 9 месяцев назад +1

    Our chickens brought in coccidia. The dogs got it! We used medications to get it under control. Rodents could have been the disease vector, it’s hard to tell. Be aware of diseases in your animals and wildlife in your area by contacting your local extension office. Know disease symptoms, and find out what to do for prevention. Our dogs are OK now. Slimy diarrhea was the symptom for coccidia.

  • @alteredstateskustom
    @alteredstateskustom Год назад +3

    This has been the most informative chicken video I’ve seen!
    Thanks for posting!

  • @meljordan220
    @meljordan220 Год назад +1

    Not only do chickens give wonderful eggs, and entertainment, they also provide good manure for compost for the garden. I will sometimes use the used bedding for a mulch around some of my plants. Whenever I water the nutrients from the used bedding goes directly in the soil. I would also like to mention that ventilation in a coop is more important than keeping your birds warm. Without ventilation you'll end up with frostbitt and chickens. That's what happened to me. We added more ventilation to our coop and it solved the problem.

  • @Diary_of_erica
    @Diary_of_erica Год назад +5

    Watching the chicken jump down on the ladder was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen 9:57

  • @Growing916
    @Growing916 Год назад +5

    I LOVE keeping chickens. They watch through my kitchen window when I make breakfast in the morning, my son (a toddler) collects the eggs for me in the morning and is overjoyed every time. He carries them around the yard with him. They turn baby snakes in to eggs (score). I will never go without chickens again 😂❤

  • @quincyberman5629
    @quincyberman5629 2 месяца назад +1

    I have a large area for the birds to roam and an open coop they can come and go as they please. Pretty much free range lifestyle but fenced off to keep the dogs away. However the fence was compromised a couple times and I lost two flocks to dogs. I am on the third now which brings me to my thought on temperament. Even within the same breed the birds kind of form their own culture. The foods they prefer, the way the interact with each other, roosting preference, tameness.... Reminds me of the Navy how we are all Sailors but on the different ships there is like a subculture.

  • @LilClucker
    @LilClucker Год назад +2

    Undeniably, having chickens is incredibly rewarding, and I wholeheartedly agree that they are absolutely worth all effort and time invested.❤

  • @scoop2591
    @scoop2591 Месяц назад

    You two are totally GENIUS ! 2 great knowledgeable guys with calm personalitys. A pleasure to listen to and learn. I was listening to a different channel this morning and finally just had to turn it off and l won't be back after making it only 1/2 way through. I didn't give it a rating bcuz some ppl may like it. The problem was he rambled on and on (like lm doing right now) about his life and repeating at least 3 times info he already gave. Ive watched both of you before and always had an enjoyable learning experience. You have a life long fan. No lm not their mother. 😂

  • @JamesJones-gj1ii
    @JamesJones-gj1ii Год назад +3

    Stationary coops increase disease pressure. Either free range or have a mobile coop.
    Then you gotta do deep litter method and inoculate with bacteria via compost , fermented tea etc.

  • @amygodo4473
    @amygodo4473 Год назад +1

    Thank you for this video! The joy my chickens bring me is incredible.
    They are the greatest pets and the eggs are a total bonus.

  • @aaronrhoades509
    @aaronrhoades509 Год назад +6

    I have been around chickens most of my life I am 55 years old and still have chickens.
    All seem to make it harder than it has to be opened bottom Chicken Coop works better. You put down a heavy mulch/leaf/grass clippings
    About 6 to 8 in deep in the bottom the chickens will get down in and scratch in the poop and compost it down you come back and clean it once a year it is extremely good for the garden our flower.
    When chickens get bored they start bullying. When chickens have good and lots of places to scratch they are happy and leave each other alone. If you're able to open up and let them out into a large fenced-in yard their eggs will have a prettier yolk and taste better. I remind myself of this same all the ! (time keep it simple)

  • @billsmith1782
    @billsmith1782 Год назад

    Thank you guys for taking the time to make and share this very informative video. I AM FROM vegas but currently living and working here in Guam. My super wife Julie and I are building a homebin the Philippines out in the country where we plan to have chickens, a few goats, and of course, our dogs and cats. I enjoyed watching your video and am learning from them. This will be a first go for us both when it comes to chickens and goats.

  • @kazzana9013
    @kazzana9013 Год назад +1

    Besides a source of calcium, like oyster shell, chickens should also have access to small stones, like gravel for their gizzards. It help to grind up the food.

  • @brightantwerp
    @brightantwerp Год назад +2

    Great info. I started keeping chickens a year ago. Love my four Barnevelder girls.

  • @RachelWellborn-h6w
    @RachelWellborn-h6w 9 месяцев назад

    Thanks!

  • @LogosFarm
    @LogosFarm Год назад +6

    Love it that’s my next step in the homestead. Can’t wait to make videos about chicken keeping 🐔 🐓 thanks for the video! Got the codes already

    • @epicgardening
      @epicgardening  Год назад +4

      You're going to love that next step!

    • @upnorthupdate919
      @upnorthupdate919 Год назад

      U dont have chickens you dont have a homestead lol

  • @armyofkidsfarmlife
    @armyofkidsfarmlife Год назад +1

    I read somewhere that fermenting their food for a few days will help them digest it and their egg production will double!! Hope to have more updates on our channel, just getting into making RUclips videos we are definitely beginners! Great video!

    • @anneharrington7951
      @anneharrington7951 Год назад

      I have been raising chickens for 25 years. Just today I bought some whole milk plain yogurt for them.

  • @TrixAreForKicks
    @TrixAreForKicks Год назад +1

    ive always wanted to keep chickens when i "grow up" and move to a permanent place.
    it sounds like a lovely hobby with some fresh eggs as a bonus

  • @m0zarts-animation
    @m0zarts-animation Год назад +3

    Thanks for the video! I definitely want to keep chickens one day and I love learning about the process in the meantime

  • @margakat
    @margakat Год назад +6

    I used to keep chickens. They loved pasta. I would often cook more pasta than what I needed so I could watch them eat pasta.

  • @erinbaezner7057
    @erinbaezner7057 Год назад +18

    I picked my birds based on egg color, not production 😂 my ladies all lay blue, olive, green, pink, cream or spotted eggs at a much slower rate.

    • @WS-by5cl
      @WS-by5cl Год назад +4

      What breeds do you have to achieve these colors? 😍

    • @LC-eu1zh
      @LC-eu1zh 7 месяцев назад

      hot
      😂

  • @Kpcali88
    @Kpcali88 Год назад +5

    We have chickens but I am still watching. I love the automatic door.

  • @opnwndo
    @opnwndo 18 дней назад

    I have the first chicken video up on you tube. I have had chickens since I was six..almost 61 years. Keep them safe.

  • @dnmckay
    @dnmckay 8 месяцев назад

    I love my hens, they are so fun to watch and bring me so much joy. Another benefit I really appreciate is not using disposable egg cartons. I can’t recycle the plastic ones where I live and so many from stores come in plastic cartons. As long as I have the space to keep chickens I’ll never go without owning some ❤

  • @breezybre2670
    @breezybre2670 Год назад +1

    I can't even imagine having chickens and not having to worry about the water freezing!!! That must make life so much easier. Our main job in Northern Canada is.keeping our hens from getting frostbite.

  • @cherylgawne711
    @cherylgawne711 Год назад +7

    If you ferment and sprout for your chooks you’ll get way more eggs!! Especially with older hens

  • @miraxus6264
    @miraxus6264 4 месяца назад +1

    Had chickens start eating the eggs. I put a golf ball in the nest. Didn't help. I stuck the golf ball into half of a Easter egg...they pecked egg/golfball & shook their heads! You could tell it stunned them..they stopped almost immediately after that..today they make ceramic eggs..they say it's to test for broody hens. But I bet it could help break the egg eating habit..hope that helps someone

  • @MsArtistwannabe
    @MsArtistwannabe Год назад +2

    I don’t keep chickens ( yet) but live in a community with local eggs farms that keep their chickens free range and fed organic foods in addition to foraging. Not cheap but as good as the eggs I use to get from a friend that kept chickens. I can’t eat the regular store bought from factory farms. The yolks are so pale it makes me think the chickens are not healthy.

  • @johncspine2787
    @johncspine2787 Год назад

    Find a local carpenter wanting to do a project..that’s what I did. Made a fantastic, double walled, insulated coop, three windows and door with cutout half, 6 laying boxes and a super generous run and since I’m on a hill, they can get under the coop too for even better shade. Chickens are so affectionate if you socialize early, amazing, intelligent creatures. Auto doors aren’t perfect, I like to use my auto door manually. If you scrape the poop boards inside the coop every morning, you’ll eliminate any smells at all from the coop if your litter is deep enough. You will have to deal with scraping poop, and be aware they can projectile poop on every surface.

  • @sheliaheverin8822
    @sheliaheverin8822 Год назад +6

    I am getting my coop in April from a friend. It's an old shed, so will need a little fixing up. Then getting chicks. This came at a great time, good information.

  • @cartercrabtree3681
    @cartercrabtree3681 Год назад +1

    Out of all the chickens I have had the barred rocks are the most people oriented, they love people

  • @iuchoi
    @iuchoi Год назад +3

    A lot of socal cities require a big space for chicken, which realistically isn’t possible for city residents. It’s basically a ban but not in words. Luckily, we can still have quails with far more lenient restrictions.

  • @BirdsongCrochet
    @BirdsongCrochet Год назад +2

    Thanks for so much great info! I keep toying with the idea, someday! (time, $$, space, etc).. I'd love streaming a live Epic Chicken Cam all day in the background while I'm at work, hint hint!!

  • @katherinecornette5315
    @katherinecornette5315 Год назад +5

    Great segment! Before you start anything, do your research! So many good tips but take your time & make wise decisions. Everything wants to eat your chickens! I ❤🐓🐇

  • @51rwyatt
    @51rwyatt Год назад +10

    Great video. I would be interested in chicken content that talked about keeping chickens for folks who are not at the house every day, like what do you do on a vacation? Are there systems that fill that gap or do you need to call in the friend troops to mind them for a bit?

    • @arielhowell7498
      @arielhowell7498 Год назад +4

      Ask your neighbor's kids! When I was about 11 my neighbors paid me a couple dollars a day to check on their chickens while they went on vacation for a week. I even got to take home the eggs and was super happy to make a little money too.

    • @mikeilabiddle1757
      @mikeilabiddle1757 Год назад +1

      Chickens definitely need someone to look after them if it's more than a couple of days and especially if you don't have automatic feed/water systems.

    • @heatherk8931
      @heatherk8931 Год назад

      ​@@arielhowell7498 unfortunately kids today are not as sweet as when we were respectful kids

  • @Ashley-Femme
    @Ashley-Femme Год назад +2

    Epic production quality. I’ve already binged all of Laura at Garden Answers 10 seasons of content and am excited to hop on over to the Epic bandwagon too. 🤓

    • @Ashley-Femme
      @Ashley-Femme Год назад

      P.S. I highly suggest chronological playlists so binge watchers (like me) can easily follow your journey start to finish and make sure not to miss a single video in trying to watch old videos. It’s probably a good ROI on time because it’s an easy way to get more views on your old videos (in my unprofessional opinion 😅😜).

  • @nildaotero2933
    @nildaotero2933 Год назад +2

    Loved your video, very informative. I'll be sharing with my sister who has a chicken coop. I'm sure she can really use the info.

  • @chelseekpeace
    @chelseekpeace Год назад +1

    Dear Epic gardening, thank you for your amazing content, bestowing of wisdom, and quality of video documentation. 🙏 ❤

  • @K.Tuttle-kh2ky
    @K.Tuttle-kh2ky Год назад +16

    Umm?? Are we just not gonna talk about the cobra hanging from the 2x4 from about 1:40 - 1:50? 😂 I'm from Florida and never approach a coop without my snake vision turned on, even coops on RUclips. 😅

    • @Hi_Im_Akward
      @Hi_Im_Akward 6 месяцев назад +1

      I didn't notice it until I saw your comment. It doesn't look real though? I'm confused what kind it even is.

    • @Sara_Rockafella
      @Sara_Rockafella 5 месяцев назад

      Oh YUK on any kind. So happy to live in a snake less country.. ewwww.

  • @rebeccabeard2964
    @rebeccabeard2964 Год назад +1

    This is so helpful to see both setups. Thank you, guys!!

  • @BrightestBlessings7899
    @BrightestBlessings7899 Год назад +3

    Good information, guys!! Thanks.

  • @KimbS-lj1tx
    @KimbS-lj1tx Год назад +1

    I live in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN. We have black bears so I reached out Carolina Coops regarding safety of their coop. I was told it "may" keep them out but it may be best to install an electric fence just to be on the safe side.

    • @EC-dz4bq
      @EC-dz4bq Год назад

      hey lol we just saw a bear there, just the other day. We came to see the fireflies (blue and synchronist).

  • @charlesnolan5359
    @charlesnolan5359 11 месяцев назад +3

    if you clean them out once every week it makes your house not smelly and less work because it will take you five minutes once a week to take it out

  • @doinacampean9132
    @doinacampean9132 Год назад

    Here's a 4th way of raising chicken: rescue a few from an egg operation. The hens will be at about 18 months old, which is when they're slated for butchering, but you'll still have eggs. As for how much gratitude they will show you, just watch Gaz Oakley's new video on chicken (new as of end of August, 2023).

  • @rebeccaplumlee9601
    @rebeccaplumlee9601 Год назад

    I have had chickens in the past. Currently I'm in a wheelchair & unable to do their care, if I get a coop the cost is important. Too expensive & the eggs end up costing me, not saving. I'm very practical & buy from ppl with existing flocks.
    I would use deep litter method as it's cleaner & so many benefits! But an inexpensive or used shed could b adapted. Use wire around perimeter & make sure the coop has ventilation & run is covered! I need only 3 hens, but already know I'll have issues keeping under a dozen! They r therapeutic physically & emotionally!!!

  • @MarquisSalinas
    @MarquisSalinas Год назад

    This is so helpful to see both setups. Thank you, guys!!. This is so helpful to see both setups. Thank you, guys!!.

  • @sheilal3172
    @sheilal3172 Год назад

    Excellent video! We live in S.W. Missouri. We have 16 black-laced silver Wyandotte hens. They have very small combs, so I must make sure they have enough cold water for drinking as the summer progresses. They have about 12 sq. ft. each in the house and a bit more in the run. They began to lay on 3 March and we got 226 eggs in one month! I use their run as a composting area, throwing in a flake of hay and one of straw every few days. We have lots of weeds and dandelions and chickweed, which they love. I feed them 4 cups of fermented or sprouted wheat each morning and their layer mash. I will try red wigglers and soldier fly larvae this summer. Also will grow giant sunflowers, broom corn, and amaranth as treats. It takes about ten minutes morning and night to see to their needs. They actually don't seem to mind a light rain. I'm planning a food forest attached to their run for (hopefully) this late summer. Will use electronet fencing until then. Stopping drafts and providing excellent ventilation is absolutely crucial. I've used Harvey Ussery's deep litter method since putting them in the house on 1 November when they were six weeks old. Not a trace of odor. They are good for the soul. Get chickens!

  • @lonniepee9804
    @lonniepee9804 Год назад +2

    I live alone and will DIY my coop. I'm transitioning to a carnivore diet which allows for limitless egg consumption. I imagine one to two dozen per week is all I'll need. Seeing that chickens are very sociable, I wonder how few chickens is advisable? I have six cats and there are various predators in my rural, SW Missouri area. Half-inch hardware cloth will definitely be the material of choice, even for the outside-the-coop ground cover.

  • @Evie170
    @Evie170 Год назад +3

    I love seeing the chickens so happy to be let out through their automatic 'chicken flap.' :D

  • @juliaakselsen9253
    @juliaakselsen9253 6 месяцев назад

    Great information, clearly explained, many subjects covered. Thanks for this mini masterclass on chickens

  • @flybyav8tor
    @flybyav8tor 6 месяцев назад

    It’s amazing the difference between having chickens for homestead vs profit. We just got 100 chickens to sell eggs, working our way up to 300. Organic, corn free, soy free feed is so expensive even in 1,000 - 2,000 lbs at a time.

  • @brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407
    @brokenglassshimmerlikestar3407 Год назад +5

    Regarding egg eater, what's both interesting and frustrating is that chicken learn from each other, so your other chickens might learn to peck at and eat eggs if you've got one egg eater on your hand. At least that's what my chicken keeping aunt told me

    • @madammazon2942
      @madammazon2942 Год назад

      I think they watch🙄. We always put a golf ball in each nesting box as a deterrent. That seemed to mostly stop them.

    • @franciscomarques2867
      @franciscomarques2867 8 часов назад

      ​@@madammazon2942 Do you always keep it there or put it once in a while? I tried it with a fake plastic egg and just let it stay there. It worked for a while but they learned the difference and a few months later I had another egg eater.

    • @madammazon2942
      @madammazon2942 3 часа назад +1

      @@franciscomarques2867 you have smarties I guess!😅 it always seemed to work for us. It may have something to do with the weight and solidness of the golf ball too. We would always leave them in the box. They would try to peck the ball instead of a shell and wack their beaks. We did try to collect eggs at least once a day generally to reduce them starting, and more often if there was an eater

  • @deboz8793
    @deboz8793 Год назад +4

    Ahhh yes! Lord willing, one day I’ll start having chickens too. Wanted to do this long before Covid and egg prices had skyrocketed out of control.
    Definitely going to save this video and all your chicken content videos. 😊

  • @eldergeektromeo9868
    @eldergeektromeo9868 Год назад +3

    Thanks guys....info is so helpful!

  • @anqix174
    @anqix174 11 месяцев назад

    fabulous high quality video! The automated door is amazing! Thanks!

  • @Davidmaxwell07
    @Davidmaxwell07 Год назад +4

    Man I’ve been watching for 2-3 years now. I live in a apartment home. I wish I could have chickens 😅 I guess my cat and 2 dogs will do for now

  • @bhess1212
    @bhess1212 Год назад +1

    I always recommend the water nipples. It is so much cleaner. Also my chickens can go over a week without tending.

  • @Carpinito927
    @Carpinito927 Год назад +1

    Thank you so much for the informative video! Would love to see some follow-up videos on this topic in the future as well

  • @jpsmith9452
    @jpsmith9452 Год назад

    Excellent video. Very concise and informative. No wasted time. Thanks guys.

  • @preshussunshine
    @preshussunshine Год назад

    I just got a chicken coop and I placed it in a kennel cage, I'm so excited. Thanks for this video, I really needed to see it.

  • @jpennturner
    @jpennturner Год назад +2

    Hi, I have kept chickens for fifty years and really like them. Before taking chickens on realise that responsibility for their care and safety is on the owners, foxes or other predators are just following nature, we should ensure the security of our birds, not blame predators for taking a free meal!

  • @ADHDImpulsiveAction
    @ADHDImpulsiveAction 6 месяцев назад +1

    I love chickens so much, they're so silly. 😭❤️

  • @daphne7897
    @daphne7897 Год назад +1

    Wow best chicken video ever! Thanks to both of you

  • @Leo_S94
    @Leo_S94 Год назад +7

    Chickens require way more time than people make out, sure it can be low maintenance but often people that claim that have terrible conditions within the coop or pen area and its just kinda dirty etc. Worming, flea and lice treatments, cleaning water bowls, raking the pen to mix the materials or top it up, doing overall health checks on them, topping up food, cleaning nesting boxes and coop. There are many small little things that add up a lot of time. Its more time than people realise especially for those who work long hours etc.

    • @carolschedler3832
      @carolschedler3832 Год назад +2

      Great point. I think some enjoy that type of involvement and some don’t. So two people will do the same amount of work and one will say it’s easy and the other would give the hens away.

    • @upnorthupdate919
      @upnorthupdate919 Год назад

      Chickens do not require much time.
      I own 6 chickens and ive got it down to about 10 minutes of total maintainence every week. That doesnt include letting them in amd out every day.
      I do not worm or flea them. I had mites once and did mite them and bathe them.

  • @naomihatfield3015
    @naomihatfield3015 Год назад

    My neighbor has a half dozen hens a very handsome rooster (he has feathers on his feet,) and she asked to care for them while she was away for work. I fell in love. I traded her chicken sitting for the chicken poop for my compost, and as we speak, my oven is is use as an incubator…we shall see. If they hatch, it was meant to be. 😊