So happy to see someone in north Florida! It’s hard to get information for gardening in my zone (I’m actually 9A), but I’m so excited I found your page!
I’m in north central FL, so where are you? I’ve got rabbits and getting ready for my chickens. I have taken care of my friend’s chicken a lot and have some experience. Although I want to handle my chickens more so that they are more friendly and I won’t stress them out when I enter their space. My friend doesn’t handle their chickens.
I thought it interesting that Northern Florida was a colder (8b) Zone than even further Northern California at 9b! And I’m certain our droughty/wildfire Summers get far hotter, just mostly drier/lower humidity which makes them more bearable❤️ Yet, my baby mixed flock of 8 all survived 115 F days with cooling pools, fans, misters & plenty of ice-treats! Good thing we live right off a river.
Yes! I believe I am 9a (I'm coastal Alabama) So I've had ducks a year now, they did fine in the heat (it got to 120's) but I'm wondering if I need to be sure to get only heat tolerant breeds when I get my first chickens? I really want tinted eggs if possible.
Your video is just what a new chicken owner needs to hear. I have had chickens now going on 10 years and all your advice is right on! Blessings from Washington state!
i have that same sign on my coop hahaha ironically i don't free range my hens i found that there's other ways to keep their morale high if not higher than free ranging them. i just cant have them digging pot holes everywhere. my hens seem to like change, like the garden and kitchen scraps rather than just corn everyday. i also compost in my coop and it seems turning the compost gets them very excited, i imagine it's like remodeling their home. they are usually occupied for for a few days when i do that, digging in new areas for bugs... also i've seen hawks slash through chicken wire...2 layers will almost always prevent predatory birds from getting through. but youre right, heavier gauge wire is better
My Waylon love the chicks. They are six weeks old. He doesn't let anything near them. Hes got Shepard mixed in with american bulldog and Bull mastiff. So if one chick is away, he goes and stays with it till they go back with others. I think, using things like hearding dogs help keep them safe. The mongoose have not even shown themselves at all. The hawks ignore the chicks, they know the dog is there. Im blown away! Its an animal family. ❤
Things I wish I knew before....straight run tends to mean 80% cockerels...no matter how many nesting boxes you have, they will all use the same one, including my female goose...she will only lay on one nest box, not the beautiful one in her coop. And lastly, hens are very loud when laying, but roosters are louder and wake up before the sun comes out and will figure out your bedroom window and direct their loudness towards it. I love my flock, but not at 424 am. Great video
Haha, this made me actually laugh out loud about the rooster directing his loudness 😂 . Also yes to the straight run!!! I wish I had thought of that one, because that is so true! These are great 👌🏼
@@FaithLenzo I believe that is only because of a natural instinkt to lay the eggs on the same place, which the hens believe is more safe. But that is only until one of the hens decides to raise some chickens. On my chicken coop, they laid all on one box, but when one chick hatched some small chickens, the rest started to choose their own nesting box in order to hatch their own chicks.
When I had chickens, they loved lawn mowing day. The egg yolks were rich tasting and a yellow orange color. It also helped to keep down the odor and fly population. The local gardeners were happy to share their clippings. Thanks for a great video.
When i grew up on farms. We would only let the chickens near our garden a few times a year, to eat bugs. Then we would remove them from the garden area after 5min.
I know this is a year old, but I wanted to thank you for posting this. Ive had chickens in the past and returning to the hobby of chicken keeping needed a refresher, thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
in Jacksonville North Florida.. Just starting to get into chickens cramped for space but we can do 5-6 very good information in the video. Enjoyed it thank you.
This really is one of the best, most concise, well-presented videos on basic tips for raising chickens that I've ever seen. Both excellent advice and enjoyable to watch. Thanks so much!
About chicken wire, dogs go through it in a split second. Its good for open cover from hawks. Hardware cloth tskes rm a minute but they get through that as well. Welded wire fencing is cheap but dogs go through it in a minute. The best is, hardware cloth with wrapped heavy wire or cattle fencing.
I got my Tampa chicks,the weather was so hot at one point I was really worried. Took an old refrigerator ice tray I wasn’t using. Sort of like a box shape and put their water in it. Not too high up. They would stand in it cooling off as they drank. They were big enough now. If they were still tiny I would have had to put rocks all in the water so they couldnt drown themselves. Also being able to dig and actually roll like a dog in the dirt helped too. Lol, too cute. Their coop is underneath large oak trees which is shady. Thanks for the nice video.😎🇺🇸
North Central Florida, 9 acres, lots of hawks and foxes. So, I've been tasked with building THE chicken coop for 4 hens. Thanks for your great advice, especially the part about LOTS of poop. I suspected this, and will try not to worry about the color of the Coop. OH! We discovered the Black Soldier Fly grows bazillions of larva in 'food holes' where we toss our house leftovers, so now I know where to get the special treats to tease those girls out of the trees! Thanks dear. Greatly appreciated. Mr. Brown
Great tips!! Thanks for sharing. We are always looking for new tips and tricks. Handling when young is the best way to train chickens, didn't do that at first, with regrets. Our 2nd is more acclimated to voice than touch...still learning.
Zone 9A in Central Florida here. I got fooled by those 2 dollar chicks (well, kinda, sorta) they are 3.5 weeks old and inside in a brooder and we are hustling to get their coop built and the run secure. After trying to build the coop with found supplies, we ended up paying someone to build a very nice coop but it won’t be ready till hopefully this weekend. (Cha ching!) I really like your set up, we will end up moving more northward so that we have more land for more chicks and garden space.
Amen. Somewhere where there aren't so many people !!! Mabe lake city area or panhandle. This is like living in Detroit or chi town ! Building building building it will never end till there is no more land
Good video sis. We have mongoose hawks and owl's. I also have chicken friendly bull mastiff and cat. I also allow supervised free range. And they are 6 weeks old. I call them back and they have learned wherr is ssfe, cool . Thry have a safe place for ehen im gone but soon they will have a very large safe free range area. Like 200'×60'. I like rooster pets and if they have room and olaces to go, they seem to mostly get along once order is set
I hear you on the initial cost of everything. After 4 years, I've smartend up. They free range ( sometimes at my neighbors). I now have 9, and I won't be getting any more for a while. Lol, I get asked that a lot. "How do you get eggs without a rooster" I share my eggs w my neighbors and friends too.
Thank you. Unfortunately I had to rehome my babies but I visit them every week. I lost 4 out of 6 hens this year...they were young...there are only 2 ISA and new owner has silkies and mine picks them, so she divided the run and coop. They do kind of look sad sometimes but can't have anymore since its not my backyard as well as they may not get along...I am just nervous how to deal if left one. Just can't have anymore. wish I could have but I am in the apartment.
Oh no! I only let my hens out when I'm in the yard and the dog is out. The dog follows me everywhere so that isn't very helpful for when I'm not around
You are so honest and kind with raising them and your information is very useful for anyone who is contemplating backyard chickens. Bless you and keep on homesteading!
I always thought that you had to have a rooster for eggs. I just learned that recently. I would love to have chickens, but my property is way too small. I love all your tips. 👍🌱😀🌻🌼🌷
I just saw this after watching The Chicken Coop Company assemble videos… I’m looking for easy to clean 🧼 and get eggs from aaand safe …. I watched a bear eat our one chicken on our doorbell camera 😭 it was in a tiny little coop. I also want to figure out anything automatic , it would be nice to have some sort of automatic door opener. The water gets nasty so fast so maybe there is an easier way…
What a great video, you make cleaning up poop sound as never ending as it truly is. 😂😂 I wish you would info/ teach instead of deter people from using heat lamps. They don’t have to be dangerous if they are properly mounted and safely positioned the proper amount of space is being used. There are more successful chick batches than fires, so maybe clarify that fires are caused by people not properly mounting and checking wiring daily, just like any other electrical fire than the “cheap” lamps.
Ty! But I’m still confused. At one point you said they’re a lot of maintenance, then near the end you said “not that difficult”. Which is it? Trying to decide… don’t want to add a bunch of extra work to my day when I retire in a year… but I’d really like a few…
Thank you! 😊 surprisingly, they can definitely be as low as 2! When I purchased my chicks at my local tractor supply they were 2 dollars each at the time, but you had to get at least 4 so they could help keep body heat together. Cheapest animal purchase ever, or so I thought
Growing up my grandma had a farm and ran a homesteading newspaper. I also gardened with my dad. I always remember going to my grandmas house and gathering eggs, learning to milk goats, etc. Those are some of my best memories and I fell in love with it. Have been ever since!
How do you keep them cool in the heat of Florida? I live in central Florida and am thinking of getting chickens but I’m so worried about the heat we get here.
I keep the coop and run mostly under a tree for shade. I have also built a shelter over part of the run that provides shade too. Plenty of clean water, always. If they ever seem too hot, which honestly doesn’t really happen with all the shade they’re in, I will dunk their body in some tepid, not too cool, water to cool their body temps a little bit. Never had an issue!
@@FaithLenzo Thank you. Makes me feel better. I know it gets a bit hotter in central Florida and so humid I was worried but you made me feel better. I don’t want to run electrical stuff to set up fans like I have some people do because I know chickens are curious little ladies.
Oh heck yeah Faith! They will destroy any raised beds and new plants:( Frustrating totally! Thanks for sharing the honest tips. They can get expensive with all the wire, etc.
What breeds do you have in your flock? We are getting our first-ever chickens this Spring & are deciding on great egg layers and friendly dispositions :)
Thanks for a great video! I’m in S FL and have been reading up on getting chickens and have lots to learn before I take the leap! I especially have concerns about ventilation in this heat - any tips for keeping the coop cool? And great point about the dogs. Mine is actually great with other animals, but gets very interested and sometimes intrusive. So a slow intro will be necessary and hopefully once the chickens try to peck at her she’ll keep her distance 🐶
Ive always placed my coop under a tree that provides good shade and I have also more recently built a shelter for them as well to give them additional shade. I always keep my coop with the doors open to the screened part so it can ventilate well. If I ever notice them showing signs of being too hot I will fill a bucket with cool/room temp water and gently sit them in it to cool their temps. I’ve only had to do that once on a very very hot summers day. That has seemed to do the trick for me so far!
“How you choose to love them” is such a beautiful framing that can be applied to so many aspects of life-in-society
So happy to see someone in north Florida! It’s hard to get information for gardening in my zone (I’m actually 9A), but I’m so excited I found your page!
I’m in north central FL, so where are you? I’ve got rabbits and getting ready for my chickens. I have taken care of my friend’s chicken a lot and have some experience. Although I want to handle my chickens more so that they are more friendly and I won’t stress them out when I enter their space. My friend doesn’t handle their chickens.
I thought it interesting that Northern Florida was a colder (8b) Zone than even further Northern California at 9b! And I’m certain our droughty/wildfire Summers get far hotter, just mostly drier/lower humidity which makes them more bearable❤️
Yet, my baby mixed flock of 8 all survived 115 F days with cooling pools, fans, misters & plenty of ice-treats! Good thing we live right off a river.
I'm in North Florida too. Looking to buy land for a homestead. Any advice on which counties to look in? I'd like minimal restrictions.
@@nyegye1606 stay in the small counties….like Gilchrist…Suwannee…stay away from Alachua county
Yes! I believe I am 9a (I'm coastal Alabama) So I've had ducks a year now, they did fine in the heat (it got to 120's) but I'm wondering if I need to be sure to get only heat tolerant breeds when I get my first chickens? I really want tinted eggs if possible.
Your video is just what a new chicken owner needs to hear. I have had chickens now going on 10 years and all your advice is right on! Blessings from Washington state!
Thank you, that means so much that someone else agrees. Blessings from Florida!
i have that same sign on my coop hahaha ironically i don't free range my hens i found that there's other ways to keep their morale high if not higher than free ranging them. i just cant have them digging pot holes everywhere. my hens seem to like change, like the garden and kitchen scraps rather than just corn everyday. i also compost in my coop and it seems turning the compost gets them very excited, i imagine it's like remodeling their home. they are usually occupied for for a few days when i do that, digging in new areas for bugs...
also i've seen hawks slash through chicken wire...2 layers will almost always prevent predatory birds from getting through. but youre right, heavier gauge wire is better
hahah, yeah, I free ranged once upon a time but found the same as you! I never thought about compost in the coop, that's such a good idea!!
My Waylon love the chicks. They are six weeks old. He doesn't let anything near them. Hes got Shepard mixed in with american bulldog and Bull mastiff. So if one chick is away, he goes and stays with it till they go back with others.
I think, using things like hearding dogs help keep them safe. The mongoose have not even shown themselves at all. The hawks ignore the chicks, they know the dog is there. Im blown away! Its an animal family. ❤
Things I wish I knew before....straight run tends to mean 80% cockerels...no matter how many nesting boxes you have, they will all use the same one, including my female goose...she will only lay on one nest box, not the beautiful one in her coop. And lastly, hens are very loud when laying, but roosters are louder and wake up before the sun comes out and will figure out your bedroom window and direct their loudness towards it. I love my flock, but not at 424 am. Great video
Haha, this made me actually laugh out loud about the rooster directing his loudness 😂 . Also yes to the straight run!!! I wish I had thought of that one, because that is so true! These are great 👌🏼
@@FaithLenzo I believe that is only because of a natural instinkt to lay the eggs on the same place, which the hens believe is more safe. But that is only until one of the hens decides to raise some chickens. On my chicken coop, they laid all on one box, but when one chick hatched some small chickens, the rest started to choose their own nesting box in order to hatch their own chicks.
When I had chickens, they loved lawn mowing day. The egg yolks were rich tasting and a yellow orange color. It also helped to keep down the odor and fly population. The local gardeners were happy to share their clippings. Thanks for a great video.
When i grew up on farms. We would only let the chickens near our garden a few times a year, to eat bugs. Then we would remove them from the garden area after 5min.
Great info. I never thought about keeping them in a run for the most part but also being able to let them out under supervision... Thank you!!
Great video!
You are just beautiful too
i love the green and turquoise colors on you 🙂
Great Video, I left an Abo.
Looking forward of more to come.
Greetings from Germany
🌸🌺🐥🙋♀️
I know this is a year old, but I wanted to thank you for posting this. Ive had chickens in the past and returning to the hobby of chicken keeping needed a refresher, thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Glad I found this😁 I live in central FL and I've been thinking about keeping chickens for awhile now. Many things to consider🤔 Thanks!
Me too. North West of Orlando
in Jacksonville North Florida.. Just starting to get into chickens cramped for space but we can do 5-6 very good information in the video. Enjoyed it thank you.
This really is one of the best, most concise, well-presented videos on basic tips for raising chickens that I've ever seen. Both excellent advice and enjoyable to watch. Thanks so much!
and I want to start preparing for a few chicken and this is very helpful information.
Thank you for your video. I'm working on getting prepared for hopefully a future chicken coop for me and my family in FL.🧡🐔
10 months later, how'd your coop come along ? Any progress?
Hello from Fort White, Fl.
Panhandle.
wowwww!!! this needs to be on the top list on youtube. I needed this...
About chicken wire, dogs go through it in a split second. Its good for open cover from hawks.
Hardware cloth tskes rm a minute but they get through that as well. Welded wire fencing is cheap but dogs go through it in a minute. The best is, hardware cloth with wrapped heavy wire or cattle fencing.
Great video! Fellow Floridan, new Port Richey. I really found your video to be very helpful.
I got my Tampa chicks,the weather was so hot at one point I was really worried. Took an old refrigerator ice tray I wasn’t using. Sort of like a box shape and put their water in it. Not too high up. They would stand in it cooling off as they drank. They were big enough now. If they were still tiny I would have had to put rocks all in the water so they couldnt drown themselves.
Also being able to dig and actually roll like a dog in the dirt helped too. Lol, too cute. Their coop is underneath large oak trees which is shady. Thanks for the nice video.😎🇺🇸
Very good grandma
Why don’t you have your channel anymore. I just saw it for the first time and I like it very much.
North Central Florida, 9 acres, lots of hawks and foxes.
So, I've been tasked with building THE chicken coop for 4 hens.
Thanks for your great advice, especially the part about
LOTS of poop. I suspected this, and will try not to worry
about the color of the Coop.
OH! We discovered the Black Soldier Fly grows bazillions
of larva in 'food holes' where we toss our house leftovers,
so now I know where to get the special treats to
tease those girls out of the trees!
Thanks dear.
Greatly appreciated.
Mr. Brown
I'm in madison County. Thank you so much. You have a new sub. My chicks are at six weeks
What refreshingly genuine video!
Well done, thank you 😊
Thank you. I really enjoyed your video and the points you shared.
Great video. Thanks for sharing 😊
Thank you for sharing this video with all this information.
This is a very good video. Thanks.
Great tips!! Thanks for sharing. We are always looking for new tips and tricks. Handling when young is the best way to train chickens, didn't do that at first, with regrets. Our 2nd is more acclimated to voice than touch...still learning.
Great video. Thanks for your input. 👍
Thanks for this. Great video. I'm about to get my first baby chicks. Can't wait to add them to my backyard farm😊
That’s so exciting! Baby chicks are so fun and cute! You’re going to love them.
Where did you get your coop? Love the color
Very helpful!
Zone 9A in Central Florida here. I got fooled by those 2 dollar chicks (well, kinda, sorta) they are 3.5 weeks old and inside in a brooder and we are hustling to get their coop built and the run secure. After trying to build the coop with found supplies, we ended up paying someone to build a very nice coop but it won’t be ready till hopefully this weekend. (Cha ching!) I really like your set up, we will end up moving more northward so that we have more land for more chicks and garden space.
Amen. Somewhere where there aren't so many people !!!
Mabe lake city area or panhandle.
This is like living in Detroit or chi town ! Building building building it will never end till there is no more land
Good video sis. We have mongoose hawks and owl's. I also have chicken friendly bull mastiff and cat. I also allow supervised free range. And they are 6 weeks old.
I call them back and they have learned wherr is ssfe, cool . Thry have a safe place for ehen im gone but soon they will have a very large safe free range area. Like 200'×60'.
I like rooster pets and if they have room and olaces to go, they seem to mostly get along once order is set
Thank you!
I hear you on the initial cost of everything. After 4 years, I've smartend up. They free range ( sometimes at my neighbors). I now have 9, and I won't be getting any more for a while. Lol, I get asked that a lot. "How do you get eggs without a rooster" I share my eggs w my neighbors and friends too.
So glad I found your video. Very informative and real! Thank you.
I'm in zone 10 ❤
I love your set up! Thank you for sharing. 🐔🐤🐣
Thanks for sharing the information to consider. Very informative.
Thank you. Unfortunately I had to rehome my babies but I visit them every week. I lost 4 out of 6 hens this year...they were young...there are only 2 ISA and new owner has silkies and mine picks them, so she divided the run and coop. They do kind of look sad sometimes but can't have anymore since its not my backyard as well as they may not get along...I am just nervous how to deal if left one. Just can't have anymore. wish I could have but I am in the apartment.
Great tips!
Great job! Lots of good information…thank you.
You’re so beautiful! Thanks for the tips!
What is the name of the bedding you have in the nesting boxes? Hope you are still making videos. You are very good at it.
Great video and great tips. Which heater is best? You didn't mention that.
I free ranged my flack until a fox got one in my yard right in front of me, this was day time while I was outside. Never again. Thank You
Wow! Thankfully haven’t had anything attack in front of me while I’m there.
Oh no! I only let my hens out when I'm in the yard and the dog is out. The dog follows me everywhere so that isn't very helpful for when I'm not around
Did you build that coop yourself? It's the perfect size for what I am looking for.
Wow look so cute i really love your video and nice to see thank +
You are so honest and kind with raising them and your information is very useful for anyone who is contemplating backyard chickens. Bless you and keep on homesteading!
I always thought that you had to have a rooster for eggs. I just learned that recently. I would love to have chickens, but my property is way too small. I love all your tips. 👍🌱😀🌻🌼🌷
I have a question. I am concerned about snakes in Florida as I plan to move and would love to continue with having chickens.
So far 🤞🏼 I haven’t had any issues with snakes yet! Although I know it does happen, I don’t have any great advice in this department. Sorry!
I just saw this after watching The Chicken Coop Company assemble videos… I’m looking for easy to clean 🧼 and get eggs from aaand safe …. I watched a bear eat our one chicken on our doorbell camera 😭 it was in a tiny little coop. I also want to figure out anything automatic , it would be nice to have some sort of automatic door opener. The water gets nasty so fast so maybe there is an easier way…
Great info! Thank you. How far down do you go with hardware cloth?
What a great video, you make cleaning up poop sound as never ending as it truly is. 😂😂
I wish you would info/ teach instead of deter people from using heat lamps.
They don’t have to be dangerous if they are properly mounted and safely positioned the proper amount of space is being used. There are more successful chick batches than fires, so maybe clarify that fires are caused by people not properly mounting and checking wiring daily, just like any other electrical fire than the “cheap” lamps.
Ty! But I’m still confused. At one point you said they’re a lot of maintenance, then near the end you said “not that difficult”. Which is it? Trying to decide… don’t want to add a bunch of extra work to my day when I retire in a year… but I’d really like a few…
Where did you buy your jeans!? Love!
Haha, I’ve had them a while but I believe from target!
Is that a Swedish Flower Hen? So pretty!
She’s a speckled sussex ☺️
we live in lake city
Great points, especially about $2 chickens (they aren't actually $2).
Thank you! 😊 surprisingly, they can definitely be as low as 2! When I purchased my chicks at my local tractor supply they were 2 dollars each at the time, but you had to get at least 4 so they could help keep body heat together. Cheapest animal purchase ever, or so I thought
What got you started doing this?
Growing up my grandma had a farm and ran a homesteading newspaper. I also gardened with my dad. I always remember going to my grandmas house and gathering eggs, learning to milk goats, etc. Those are some of my best memories and I fell in love with it. Have been ever since!
@@FaithLenzo Great memories. So much I can learn from you. Thank you!
How do you keep them cool in the heat of Florida? I live in central Florida and am thinking of getting chickens but I’m so worried about the heat we get here.
I keep the coop and run mostly under a tree for shade. I have also built a shelter over part of the run that provides shade too. Plenty of clean water, always. If they ever seem too hot, which honestly doesn’t really happen with all the shade they’re in, I will dunk their body in some tepid, not too cool, water to cool their body temps a little bit. Never had an issue!
@@FaithLenzo Thank you. Makes me feel better. I know it gets a bit hotter in central Florida and so humid I was worried but you made me feel better. I don’t want to run electrical stuff to set up fans like I have some people do because I know chickens are curious little ladies.
@@FaithLenzo I just found you today and already binge watching and am enjoying each video.
Oh heck yeah Faith! They will destroy any raised beds and new plants:( Frustrating totally! Thanks for sharing the honest tips. They can get expensive with all the wire, etc.
What breeds do you have in your flock? We are getting our first-ever chickens this Spring & are deciding on great egg layers and friendly dispositions :)
🌈💚🍀
Thanks for a great video! I’m in S FL and have been reading up on getting chickens and have lots to learn before I take the leap! I especially have concerns about ventilation in this heat - any tips for keeping the coop cool?
And great point about the dogs. Mine is actually great with other animals, but gets very interested and sometimes intrusive. So a slow intro will be necessary and hopefully once the chickens try to peck at her she’ll keep her distance 🐶
Ive always placed my coop under a tree that provides good shade and I have also more recently built a shelter for them as well to give them additional shade. I always keep my coop with the doors open to the screened part so it can ventilate well. If I ever notice them showing signs of being too hot I will fill a bucket with cool/room temp water and gently sit them in it to cool their temps. I’ve only had to do that once on a very very hot summers day. That has seemed to do the trick for me so far!
I have fan for my , but I m very careful. When is too hot, I water the ground in the morning and I also got them a few tiny pools, they love them!
@@FaithLenzo good info
Great info but you said you don’t want a rooster but had a rooster in your hand at the end of the video. I loved the video though.
Deep composting
Put the poop on your garden
No such word as (ekspecially) You said this numerous times in your video. Just so ya know.
Great tips! Thank you.