In 2016 my husband and I bought 50 acres of ranch property in the Texas hill country with dreams of eventually living there full time. In 2020 I retired from teaching, we sold our home in Austin, and now we are living the dream- in a camper! We had hoped to start the house build in the summer of 2021, but that's on hold for now. Sky high wood prices and busy contractors have pushed our plans back for who knows how long! For now we are making life in the camper (and the apartment side of our shop) work- along with our two spoiled basset hounds, Georgie and Gracie. We plan to grow our 'homestead' by adding chickens (spring 2022), then a garden, bees, donkeys, and a few longhorn. I created this channel to document our progress and to share our experiences.
We live in southern Austin county, about 30 mins north of I10. Luckly, we have our coop (was an old building when we bought to place) surrounded 3 BIG oaks that help shade it fairly well...but you know hot is hot with 98% humidity!
Sure! Here it is: www.amazon.com/dp/B00W3C4450?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzpurelyem-20&creativeASIN=B00W3C4450&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1V3UAODWVPLL0&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfinfluencer-55ba6f00_25Z0DTQF27PVKS2YKG44_asin
Can't remember exactly what it's called, but I got it at a store called Home Base, which is kind of like a small Home Depot or Lowe's. It was in the garden section.
Wow!!! Y’all have been busy!!! I’m absolutely enjoying your videos! Ty so much for sharing! Love that water system! We live in Vail Az, southern AZ we understand the drought too! I can’t wait to see your future posts!! I’m curious how the solar shades held up? We get a lot of wind where we live. I need to figure out better shade until my trees we planted start getting bigger! Great job !👏 ❤
This is the best coop!! I love everything and I love the ice chest water!!! I’m in AZ and I give my chickens ice water during the hotter months!! This is a MUST!!!
OMG !!!!! I love the guineas!!!!! I want to add them to my flock but we have bird dogs and the hubby said no.😢 We quit naming them after the neighbors dog got them. Too stressful.
This was very informative and thank you for sharing this. I just got some chickens, and I am in New Mexico. It does get warm here. I love the igloo waterer. Such an awesome idea. Have a great day.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who cleans like you. And I do exactly the same things you do for your flock. I live in the panhandle of Fl. and it gets hot her too was worried about my chickens. Put sun sails up as well. 🙏
There was no helping my chickens in that heat last year. 5 of them died in one day when that heat came in suddenly. They were all under total shade. Then a dog killed the other 4 that made it through the heat. It was so sad.
I'm just starting to research chickens and I am worried about the Texas heat. Thanks for this. This is what I'm working with. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BAP8QuhBhn4.htmlsi=xmPWIOJgJ5lSuNqj
How did the wall paper go? Did they poop all over it. I am getting chick's soon. So excited! Also, do you put anything down in the coop on the floor? Deciding if we should do deep litter method or what else.
Honestly, it didn't last as long as I had hoped. It started falling off after awhile. It did get dirty - when I tried to clean it with a wet rag, the ink started coming off! So I took it down. I'm thinking about maybe a cute vinyl table cloth fabric next time that I can actually clean! Probably in a future video-
Love your beautiful decorations! I saw the video where your hubby installed watering cups into an insulated cooler. We too live in the hot Texas hill country. Id like to make this. Can you tell me which brand cups he used and where he got them?
@@ranchlife5050 Thank you for the reply. I thought they were the Rent a Coop cups so I ordered them and the extenders. This summer is so hot and this really helps.
I have a friend that built a coop for his chickens. We do construction, so he went all out and spent thousands - it matches the paint and trim of his own house, with dual paned windows and everything, it was impressive. Ive also head of someone converting a broke down old vw van into a coop
Your shovel sifter thingy is amazing ! Where did you get it ? Also, I'm curious how the shade cloth held up ? I'm hoping it didn't tear or anything as I would like to do something similar
@@cindyhebberd7352 We got it at Home Depot. Here's the link (I'm pretty sure this is the exact kind) www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-6-ft-x-50-ft-Almond-Sun-Shade-Fabric-TSS0650/313769178#overlay
I loved your decor! You have a very special husband that seems so patient and helpful! I especially liked the shots of your hens and guineas. How did you keep the guineas with out them leaving?
Thank you! 😊 I kept the guineas locked in the coop for about 2 weeks, then I let one out of the coop each day and kept it outside by itself. It would run around the coop all day trying to get back inside since guineas like to be together. I would let it back in at sunset. After about 5 days letting a different guinea out each day, I let them all out at the same time. They all returned to the coop at sunset, and have ever since!
