Raising Backyard Chickens // Beginners Guide
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- On the fence about getting backyard chickens? In this beginners guide will walk you through the ways to get baby chicks or pullets, when to get your chickens, chicken supplies, chicken feed, and general chicken care from birth through adulthood. I'll also cover chicken coop designs and supplies and how to set up a chicken coop and chicken run.
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MENTIONED PRODUCTS/SUPPLIES
1. Cardboard Box
2. Heat Lamp Bulb: amzn.to/45LqqLR
Heat Lamp Unit: amzn.to/3CdXjU9
or
Heat Plate: amzn.to/42liVsq
3. Pine Shavings: amzn.to/45NTId8
4. Feeder& Waterer: amzn.to/3qp5lXw
5. Chick Vitamins & Electrolytes: amzn.to/42CbDkd
6. Chicken grit (if no access to dirt) : amzn.to/42pz7c1
7. Chicken Coop Water Dispenser: amzn.to/3WPKnxd
8. Food Bowls: amzn.to/3MMXV8c
FOOD
Starter Food - first 8 weeks
Grower Food- 9 - 18 weeks
Layer Food- 19 weeks and on
What Chickens Shouldn't Eat (I'm sure this isn't COMPLETE, but covers most common)
- Avocado pit and peel
- Chocolate or candy
- Citrus
- Green potato skins
- Dry, uncooked beans, pasta, rice
- Junk food
- Moldy or rotten food
- Tomato/nightshade leaves/plants
- Rhubarb
You learn a lot raising chickens. I got my first broody hen and 10 eggs when I was about 10 years old in 1953. When the chickens started to hatch, I found enough soda bottles to sell for enough money to buy an addition 12 chickens from the the local feed store and when it was dark, I placed these under the hen and she accepted them. This small bantam hen raised 22 chicks. What did I learn? The love of a mother for babies is stronger than life.
Love your story!! Thank you so much for sharing it.
That’s awesome!!!
Amazing!
great story!
So COOL 👍
Hey Brian, since we’re focusing deep on being self-sufficient, I’d love to see a video on how to build a simple chicken coop. Possibly for free or little money, etc.
I just started keeping chickens. I started doing that to help feed my family and to rely less on the grocery store. I didn’t realize how much fun they really would be. I have some sassy hens that crack me up! I love my chickens and enjoy every moment with them😁
They really are fun to have!
hello im also going to keep chickens , i dont know how many i should start, is it good to start with 35pcs chicks? or lower??
you can visit my channel for more quality videos about chickens keeping just click on my channel and see videos
thanks
link is here UCTsA3RiOZ5HrGMNgv3_Dz5w
@@princeanjogrewalwhat did u end up starting with lol? i got 10
Yes, please, more chicken keeping videos for beginners. As someone who eventually wants to have chickens. this was very helpful. I'm looking forward to the day I'm a chicken keeper!!
you can visit my channel for more quality videos about chickens keeping just click on my channel and see videos
thanks
link is here UCTsA3RiOZ5HrGMNgv3_Dz5w
I brought chicks in April 2024 and am learning as I go. This video is great. Thank you
My littles were gifted baby chicks for Easter, and now I’m tasked with the obligation of crash courses to keep them alive and make it a decent experience. This video really helped me shift my perspective and recognize the “possibilities”. Thank you so much!
I’m happy that you’re being positive about it but that seems like a really inconvenient gift, like “HAPPY EASTER, go do a bunch of research or the blood is on your hands” idk but me personally I’d be kinda pissed about it lol (I’d still keep them tho haha)
You are terrific! I relearned everything I used to know 20 years ago! Excellent and so easy to watch and learn!
I have 8 hens. I ordered 15, one died. I sold 6. I had chickens probably 16-17 years ago so I'm relearning everything. But the egg prices at the beginning of the year got me back into chickens just as 2020 got me back into gardening.
My wife bought chicks on a whim last night, which stressed me out. Your video has made me way less worried. I’m glad to know this won’t be that crazy an amount of work. Thank you!
Super easy!
I love that you are just embracing them! Too funny. I am not sure I would be alive to tell the story if I did that to my spouse. Should we test the waters? Hmm.. lol. have so much fun!
Once you get chickens you understand “chicken math”. I started with 15 last year, I just got another buff Brahma pullet a few months ago and I had a broody hen who hatched out 3 more chicks . Most of our flock is super friendly to the point they jump in our laps and take naps just like a lap dog. When I’m out working in the yard I generally have a them all around me plus 3 dogs and 2 cats. It saddens me to see how chickens are kept in commercial settings. I’ll never eat a store bought egg again for that reason. My flock which includes 1 rooster (who is a great guy, he takes the best care of his flock and even the new chicks. And friendly with people! ) is totally free range at the moment but after dealing with all the poop and of course the destruction to our garden,we will be constructing a fenced area for them in the fall. We will give them ample space to roam though because they are truly so happy when they free range and it kills me a little bit to take that from them. ❤
That sounds awesome!
Very informative. Many years ago I had a pair of ducks. If you ever want some fowl that make good pets, I'd encourage you to get a pair (a male and a female) of ducks. The males aren't aggressive and noisy like roosters. They will keep your gardens free of snails, slugs, and other pests, and they are actually a little affectionate. The female will lay eggs...they are good eating and make the fluffiest cake batter. Thanks for another great vid!😊
I’ve been thinking about ducks. Soon 😁😉
😊
I’m a new chicken papa. My babies are 6 weeks, and I’ve had them 4 week and can’t wait to move them to the coop/run I built for them. Would love to see more chicken content!
On it! 😁
Keeping chickens is so so easy!! Not only is it easy but they are so entertaining 😊
They really are!
you have to be dedicated...
Free feeders and waterers..ask at your local grocery store that has a bakery, for their empty 2 gal. icing buckets with lids and handles. Then cut holes just large enough for the chickens to be able to reach in to the bottom. Around the top of the sides. I put 5 evenly spaced .The reason is, you don’t want them to be able to get inside the bucket and kick the feed around, but still allows them to reach to the bottom. This method keeps all feed inside so none goes to waste. The same method works for waterers. You can just set them on the ground, or hang up inside a coop during the winter months. Saves feeding everyday if you fill them up and let them eat the feed down gradually.
AWESOME! I've wanted chickens for fresh eggs for YEARS! Now, I'm so excited! GREAT VIDEO, easy to understand. THANK YOU! We have farmers, even a friend has his grandkids who on an "honor system" sell a dozen eggs for just $4! Another group of people send out texts stating they have up to 5,000 EGGS/DAY & charge $3/DOZEN! Compared 2 grocery store eggs - it's GREAT! I learned if an egg shows a dome when cracked, it is more fresh! I buy organic, free-range, but want my own eggs! We have 1 acre but in a town of approx. 50,000, I want my chicken coup in the back where no1 can see it! Have lots of dirty, ants, bugs, rocks, & I learned so much else! THANK YOU! I'm almost 60 yr old woman & can't build my own chicken coup but know a contractor (who's the 1 w/grandkids selling eggs on the honor system) who can build one 4 me. I'm so excited now!! I took screenshots & added notes to get/keep all info, & subscribed 2 ur channel. I'm growing potatoes easily! Live in SW so gardening is HARD here, but potatoes we 4get 2 eat n time, I stick n ground & they grow! Fear our soil in 40+ yr old house is depleted! We've tried EVERYTHING 2 get it garden-worthy (composting, banana water, fertilizer, garden soil, etc.) 2 no avail! Tried for tomatoes last 2-3 yrs & got maybe 2-3! Wanted 2 cry! Wish we lived in greener area! But, potatoes-yes! And who doesn't like tators? Smile! I keep trying 2 be more self reliant. Just not sure about garden problem! Frustrating! Again, GREAT VIDEO! THANK YOU!
So nice to have instruction from a person who obviously likes the chickens and appreciates them - keeps them (and keeps them happy) not just for utilitarian reasons. A friend is going to pass on two young adult chickens to us and this video is a big help on how to keep them.
Eggcellant video! Very concise and informative. I would like to mention you do need ventilation in the winter even in snowy/colder climates to prevent moisture build up. That can cause frostbite on toes and combs. Most find a bit of screening in a window up high on the wall helps to alleviate the issue.🥚🥚🥚
Yes, please, more chicken content . We have been wanting to get chickens 🐔 the past several years .
Thank you so much
GREAT CONTENT 🙏🙏🙏🐔
Will do!!
you can visit my channel for more quality videos about chickens keeping just click on my channel and see videos
thanks
link is here UCTsA3RiOZ5HrGMNgv3_Dz5w
This guy's advice is 100% solid
You made it sound super simple and easy! Quest complete. :)
little Velociraptors, grow extra kale in the garden, they love it. and lawnmower clippings
This is by far the best video I've seen for a beginner. Thank you for making this, I'll be getting myself some chicks!!
Great informational video! Thank you!
Very nice and helpful video! Thank you!
Great video…. Thank you….. not getting chickens, but it’s still interesting to learn🌸
Watch all your videos! Don't have any dirt areas anymore😢. Gardening in waist level gardening boxes now. But sure do enjoy learning everything you have to offer.
Your book has been very helpful.
Thanks!
Excellent information. Thank you.
Thank you so much. You have showed me so much in this one video.
I found out about your channel right before you moved liked the video I watched so I subscribed and started as far back as I could go and started watching. Now that I am all caught up I watch everything you upload. Love your channel ❤️
Thank you! 🙂
Husband & I watch EVERY video! We love them. Been contemplating 🐓🐓🐓’s and looking forward to your breed info! 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚
Thank you!
Yes you simplified everything thank you!
Super helpful! I can’t wait to get started!
Great video!! Thanks to you and a couple other creators who raise chickens I am approaching my one year anniversary as a chicken mom! One of my best thanks to them! Mine have been so therapeutic, a perfect way to balance out a stressful career. And my plants have never been happier either. They are seriously one of the best things I have done for myself. Thank you!!
That is awesome!
Perfect timing! I'm going to pick up my first chicks today. Can't wait.
That’s awesome!
Great video. I learned a good bit from this to include some upgrades I need. Thanks!
Great video! Going to follow all your advice and also watch your other videos!
Love the chicken content requesting to see more! Haven’t purchased any yet, but watching these videos makes me consider it.
I’m on it!
you can visit my channel for more quality videos about chickens keeping just click on my channel and see videos
thanks
link is here UCTsA3RiOZ5HrGMNgv3_Dz5w
I had a small farm in the 80’s , I loved my chickens. I yearn to have them again. Predators are a big problem here in rural Ohio.
I'm excited to get started! Thank you for taking the time to create this video 😊
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You convinced me to give it a try!
LOVED this video - you KISSed it really well. It reminded me of when I was able to have chickens - life situation has changed :O). My husband built a passive solar salt-box coup from industrial scraps from a scrap yard, so, next to nothing. We didn't have access to the pine shavings but had lots of hay and I actually didn't mind cleaning out the coup every few weeks - the decomposition helped during the winter months too - minus 40F :O) I love the way you summed up the environmental and ecological advantages, not just those eggier tasting eggs with yolks that made my lemon meringue pies look like I'd used food colouring :O) You summed up and kept everything simple, cheap and fun, and......get one of the most complete foods out of it all. The chicks shared a porch off the living room, our children were pretty young then - they loved the experience. Thanks - watch no matter what you're sharing. You know your stuff with fact and experience based information and present it so well. Take care, keep it up!!
Can’t have chickens but this was really informative and interesting. You did a great teaching job!
Thank you!
Your video was great.I loved it.Thank you so much for the information
Great info. I can't wait to get started. Thank you.
I don’t have or should say can’t have chickens but I’m fascinated by those who do and would love to. So yes, Brian I watch all your videos and I love each one ! Thank you for all your hard work on each episode!
Thank you! 🙂
Another great, informative video! I raised chickens years ago (not since my husband passed) and they were fun. Living in northern Canada, they were raised as meat birds rather than egg layers. We raised 50 per season. The best tasting food. I would love to have egg laying hens, but it is just not economical to heat a building during the 6-7 months of winter.
Thank you for the information, it was clear and easy to remember. Right on point❤
Awesome video. I learned a lot. I think I’m gonna go for it! Ty!
More chicken related videos please!.. like how much and what to feed different ages of chickens ❤
Will do!
Great video! I can't have chickens cause I rent, but I watch all of your videos because they're just so fun and I do learn something in pretty much every video even if I don't need to use it for now. Maybe one day. I actually always wondered about the salmonella on the eggs issue, if it even really is an issue. I'd be curious to learn about that and if you need to wash your hands after handling etc. Maybe in another video.
Looking forward to raising chickens. Thanks for the great video!
Very very helpful. Very easy to follow and understand.
I think you did a great job of laying down the basics! I am relatively new to raising chickens. I had 2 for a year that my daughter basically gave me and fell in love! We had some unfortunate tragedy and a few house moves. Now I have 4 chickens, about 9 wks old. I hope to have many more someday but these ladies keep me plenty busy for now. 😊 Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome 🙂
Great starter vid! ❤️
We've had chickens for 2 years now, and I can't imagine life without them. They are SO much fun. And with the increase in egg prices, it's nice to have our own. PLUS - they help with so many other things in the garden - like free chicken manure, they help mix the compost pile, they help with pest control, and they eat our kitchen scraps. Plus - they're adorable and hilarious.
One feeder we JUST switched to is a Treadle Feeder, because we have a mice issue. We're hoping this new feeder will be a little less messy, and reduce or eliminate the mice issue.
A couple other things to consider - hens are NOT silent, by any means. If you haven't heard it, look up the "egg song".
One thing to mention about the coop - make sure it's surrounded with sturdy material and predator proof - especially at night. Foxes, racoons, opossums, cats... etc.
Additionally, we've had to learn to be our own home vet, so-to-speak. Bumble foot can be an issue, and will need to be addressed asap.
I love to see other people's set-ups! Helps give us ideas for ours. Keep the chicken vidz comin'!
Could you please explain in more detail what to expect 'sound-wise' when raising chickens? Also, where do you live? Are chickens permitted in your area by the municipality?
@@davej.2761 Fortunately the "loudness" it's really only around the time a chicken lays an egg, but that can be spread out throughout the day. And not ALL our chickens sing the egg song... but most do. It's loud enough that we can hear it inside the house a little. We've talked to our surrounding neighbors about it, and they've all said it's not bad, and that they actually like hearing the chickens. (Hopefully they're not just being nice.) It's not as loud as a rooster, but it's not quiet either. Try looking up some UA-cam videos of the "egg song" - Hopefully that will give you some idea of how loud it is. Otherwise, their little clucks and peeps and purrs are pretty quiet, and pretty adorable, in my opinion.
We live in a suburb outside Denver, Colorado. In our city, we don't have to have a permit, but we're restricted on the number we can have, and we're required to have a certain number of square feet of coop space per bird. And we're not allowed to have roosters. I know it's different everywhere, so you'll have to look up your local ordinances.
Hope I covered all your questions. Good luck!!!
Thank you for your video for beginners! I would love more videos, please 😊
Our coop is being built right now! So excited🤗
We got 7 hens and a rooster in April, and I'm just learning about how to care for them now! They are definitely very easy, but I'm so glad I found your video! Great information, and I learned a lot I didn't know, even having them for 6 months now 😊
Hello . Can you share where you got your rooster from? Thanks
I have chickies, my girls are hand raised. Have them for eggs and fun.❤
It’s the best!
Thank you Brian. This was very helpful
Awesome video for the beginner!!! Now I'm gonna have to go watch your other videos!
We just bought 8 chicks about 1 month ago. My brother is building a coup ( hope it is ready soon). We are very excited about it both for the fresh eggs perspective but also my grandkids are hoping they will be pets too. I’m hoping to incorporate their waste in my garden but also I generally have home grown produce that goes to waste because we just can’t eat it fast enough. Win/win. They are getting too big now for the brooder now so they are going outside for most of the day. They are fun and definitely have different personalities.
That’s awesome!
Loved this video, more please. QUESTION: do pullets bond with you as well as if you bought day olds? FYI: I watch EVERY video, on BOTH channels, as soon as I see them come out! ♥️ Another FYI😂 referenced your book again today!
Loved your video! After our summer trips we are going to get some chicks if we can find them at that time. The coop is ready to go! You did a fantastic job laying out the simple guidelines for first time chicken owners!! Now it's time to watch more of your chicken videos!!
Thank you!! I’ve been researching for quite some time about raising chickens and chicken coops and now I finally get it!!😊
I watch all of your videos, no matter the subject! Now you have me wanting chickens! I live in the city limits and our county community is fighting for our rights to have chickens. Hopefully....one day...we too may have them.
Thank you! Good luck 🙂
Some have small indoor quail for eggs.. it’s a start ;)
Our city recently passed an ordinance to allow us to have three hens, but no roosters... But, alas, my HOA still forbids it. I don't plan on ever buying in an HOA again, unless I am the HOA. LOL. Hope you do not have an HOA. God bless!!!
@@suzanbak1 Indoors? Aren't they noisy? How many do you keep indoors??? Hmmmm. That would be great for people who have HOAs. (I plan on ditching mine ASAP.)
Holy Synchronicity Brian! I’m on Long Island and just spent my first full day with my 6 girls free ranging in the backyard while I was gardening. They’re the first chickens I have ever raised. They’re about 9 weeks old. 6 different breeds, all with very different chickenalities. I noticed that a lot of comments were about not being allowed to have chickens. If you really want to raise them, go have a face to face w/ the local authorities and ask if you can get a waiver to raise them. I think a lot of towns are considering allowing. I had to ask my direct neighbors if they would be okay. Both said yes, so I was good to go as long as nobody complains. The girls were all back in their coop on their own by late afternoon. I have a prefabricated coop similar to your grey example in the video except it’s red and white. I had a bunch of 1 1/2”thk x 2’w x 5’ long bluestone slabs laying around and set them around the coop perimeter to prevent predators from digging in. The slabs are so heavy, I can hardly move them. Raccoons, cats are nighttime predators that I worry about. Hawks are a daytime concern. My yard is fenced in but not impenetrable.
That’s great! Chickenalities 😂
This video was freaking awesome. I just got mine 6 months ago as chicks and started watching videos, this one is best. Subscribed.
I ❤ this. I’m renting so I can’t have chickens but am interested in definitely supporting local farms. Can you visit some local farms in your area that grow chickens and sell eggs? Like either at your local grocery store or farmers market just for comparison reasons? Not that your experience raising chickens & eggs isn’t helpful, but just to raise awareness. And that bit at the end about how people get dogs as pets without considering chickens first 🤯. Thank you for sharing all the great knowledge.
I will look into it. We have some farms around here. That may be fun to go check out 🙂
Stopping chickens (ducks and geese too) from flooding their nest area (or crawling into the water bowls), and spilling out all their food onto the ground - I found that (a sizeable investment - but long lasting) getting (Grainger ?) 2 of those fluorescent orange road pillars with their heavy black rubber bases. Get 2 inexpensive aluminum BUNDT cake pans. Adjust and cut out the bundt pan hole as needed - for properly fitting as a snug trough onto the vertical orange pillar. You can then lower down (chicks) or raise up (adults) the watering or seed troughs and save your water and seed expenses. As the chickens eventually are put into a pasture or a chicken yard - these same units can be used out there - until you finally get the chickens to peck their seed off the ground - but still use the watering trough for safe, secure, clean, and tidy watering of the flock.
Ducklings and goslings will want to crawl into the water troughs so having the proper height for drinking and not being able to wing-and-leg climb up into the water trough, keeps the water clean.
Best video I have seen on the subject. Very informative and covered so much without being overwhelming.
I was on the fence about chickens, but this alleviated a lot of my concerns. Thank you!
I watch all your videos! I would love to have fresh eggs, but our HOA does not allow livestock. I understand the reasoning behind the rules, but several neighborhoods inside the city limits have coops and have a yearly coop tour. Would love just a few to feed us and share the food scraps we don't always compost.
There is an issue with large rat snakes. I punched the ticket on at least a half dozen in the last year. And if you have mice you could have a problem with copperheads.
Thank you for all this info!
Thank you sir enjoy your show and u have a great day
I wish Ihad more space to have more chickens
Brian, I am worried about chickens getting lice or being sick. Can you address those issues? Thanks so much.
you can visit my channel for more quality videos about chickens keeping and all about desease just click on my channel and see videos
thanks
link is here UCTsA3RiOZ5HrGMNgv3_Dz5w
Thanks 👍. We have been overcomplicating and you made it so simple 😊
This was such a great video.....I'm no longer on the fence! Thank you!
I want chickens, but i live in the city. They don't allow us to have any😢
Same for me.
Just get them, they're quieter than dogs no one will complain
I know 2 neighbors on my street that have them open to a popular road. Don’t think anyone cares/enforces chicken laws lol. Plus in my city it’s a small fine worst case scenario
Live on the wild side and cluck the law/regulations
This was a great video. We are excited to start our chickens. Thank yoy
Great video! I think I learned everything I need to get started. You did a good job keeping the video short, but still informative
Yes, I watch all your videos! I love you too!
Thank you!
Now I can’t WAIT to get chickens!!!
We are preparing our coop and will get chicks soon. Thank you for the info!
WOW!!!! I learned a LOT from this video . Thank you !
You’re welcome!
Awesome content. Really interested in starting
Huge help. Thank you.
Awesome video tons of useful info!
Love this! Thank you for this information!
You’re welcome!
Great video. thanks for giving us the step by steps. Raising chickens is doable 😊
Yes super easy...I been wanting some chickens. I'm ready now... this was a short and straight to the point video. Thank you . I shared
I learned a lot and soon as I can make space I will get them thanks I been tons of your videos and learn of helpful hints and tricks 😁
I was not sure but now i will definitely go for it
Thank you, it isn't much of a big deal now that I saw your video.
Thanks for the info, this helped alot 👍🏼
This video helped me decide to raise chickens. I didn't know it could be so simple! Thank you!
Great job. One of my things to do when I retire.
Good explanation, thanks
You explained very well. Im encuraged to get some chickens! Thank you
Oh my. This is awesome.