haha, for me it was bees. :) and now i got over 50 hives, 30 chicken and helping a friend with sheeps and apple meadows. but you are right, gets you addicted :)
@JG Lee Thx. Im trying to make a living from them, but its not the easiest job... at the end of the year, i want to have 100 hives. in 2 years it should be 300, that should be enough to make a profit to live from it.
@@ammo1841 I love them, especially if they are raised in the right environment, my children never screamed because you teach them not to. I also love animals. Our house was full of children and animals. A great combination. Not everyone likes children, and shouldn't have them.
Ha! We named our neighbor's cat Bam-ba-lam. Then, a young neighbor of hers bought a black truck and named it Bam-ba-lam. One day, she sheepishly asked what was up with the Bam-ba-lam names and we played the RamJam cover. The first recording, however, was done acapella by James "Iron Head" Baker and a group from the Central State Farm (prison), Sugar Land, Texas in 1933. There are field recordings in the Library of Congress. Lead Belly recorded it in 1939.
My son has Buff Orpington's and they are very people friendly!! I live in the city, but I have a large yard( about 1/4 acre) and my back yard is completely surrounded by a ten foot fence with high shrubs around the whole yard. I want to get two or three hens just for the eggs, and the pleasure of interacting around them!!! I grew up on a farm with chickens and I need to have something to do that I enjoy. Chickens would be the perfect outlet for me to enjoy my self!!!!
Check your city ordinances. I had to get rid of my chickens when I had some for Y2K. At least I could take them to my old 4-H leader’s home on 10 acres a few towns away. Miss those double yolk eggs I got from Henrietta one of my White Leghorn hens. Henry ended up in the soup pot.
It really depends on the bird in the end. I had a small flock of banties I added to my layer flock and my sister accidentally trained the rooster to crow on command, but he also did it when he saw her because he was happy to see her. Other than him, those banties were super quiet. Also, lol, the guinea is soooo loud! But they saved the flock for me several times when predators and neighbor dogs came to visit
I've had Buff Orpingtons once... and fell in love with them! Even the roosters are gentle! Your "dark shade" comment reminds me of something... I built a chicken tractor out of 2x2's with 2x4's as a base against the ground. Just a basic 8'x8', with 18" high walls, then topped with "trusses" to make a ridge 6' high. One roost across from side to side, and another roost running overhead under the peak gives plenty of stability to the coop. (A diagonal support from one end up to the overhead roost helps, too.) Put a door on one end. I covered the whole thing with wire. Chicken wire on the ends and sides, and 2"x4" utility fencing over the roof, for strength. Find a DARK tarp to cover over the roof and down both sides to the ground. Very rainy or winter weather will require plastic over the ends, but don't make it too tight against the wind. Be sure to leave plenty of air flow... or your chickens may get pneumonia! Now the fun part: attach a strong gauge wire to two corners, looped long enough to pull the structure over the grass. Thread it through a section of old garden hose, to make it easy on the hands. A nail placed just right to hang the wire on, keeps it up out of the way. This chicken tractor is very lightweight and easy to move daily. And the eggs from such "pastured hens" (ala Joel Salatin) are out of this world! The chickens daily run to gobble down huge amounts of fresh green grass every time they're moved... especially if you move them about daybreak. And this makes the egg yolks darker than usual.
We are in a big Canadian city (Toronto) which has had a pilot program for 3 years to allow certain parts of town to have up to 4 chickens/NO roosters. The program is set to end this month but maybe it will continue and even expand. So your advice is timely, Becky! Cluck, cluck, and lots of love to you!
Our small town allows seven, but the by=law guy plays into the "noise" by[law to prohibit roosters. I have those fighting game cocks in LA and they rarely crow. I need one of them.
My Orpington is the smallest and is always getting picked on by our austrolorp. Our Orpington is the sweetest chicken and once almost got a heat stroke. Luckily we watched Beckys video about it and she survived! Owe you a lot Becky! 😉
I agree with your breed info. Silkies have been the quietest I've had. They do lay small eggs but I've had 5 eggs a week consistently on soy free organic feed with table scraps. They take extra care but are a great as a pet. You can even keep them as a house pet.
@@marah7275 , each bird will give up to 5 eggs a week. I've found that only happens under ideal circumstances. Regular egg-chickens make 4 to 5 eggs normally. Silkies and those with better feathers produce less eggs to concentrate on feather production. My city chickens lay almost nothing due to environmental stress. With 3 city chickens, I get about 3-5 eggs total and have much more broody time.
@@azpugmom5138 I'd be happy to answer any questions. Maybe if Becky wants to interview me or one of the more experienced Silkie breeders. I've done large mixed breed flocks focused on health and organics. I wasn't a professional Silkie breeder.
You seem like such a sweetheart Becky, thank you so much for your farming wisdom for noobs like me. This topic was exactly what I needed wanting a couple chickens but living in a rural area not wanting the complaints. In fact, when I told my neighbors I was thinking of getting some chickens they gave me that OMG look. I live in a temp Zone 9 Southern California and it sounds like you are in Florida so I'm going to take your advice and to with three black australorps. Hopefully I can find someone somewhat nearby to purchase them from but wanted to thank you for you advice.
My Rangers are completely quiet. My rooster only crows once in the morning around 7 am, like he's saying "The sun's up now!" My neighbors didn't even know I had chickens until I asked if they wanted some eggs haha
I love that you said both of these. I had pretty much decided on these two breeds for our first backyard chicken experience and this video just sold me completely
Hey Becky. This is coming from a owner of 6 chickens in a small town in Canada. Your information is so helpful, and will definitely help me in the future. Keep being such a inspirational person :)
I just have a few things i do different, my hens are free range, however i recommend hardware cloth as opposed to any other fencing. A bit pricier, but my hens are worth it. Also, if your going to keep your chickens in a coop, should be bigger and i personally would got to at least 4 ft as some chickens do like to fly or jump. Otherwise, you did a really sweet and wonderful thing for that lady and bless you so much for that. What a kind thing to do! The fact that you gently told her her coop was a hot mess was awesome!
This is my first time keeping chickens I have 2 Welsummers, 1 Buff Orpington and 1 ISA Brown I love them so much and cannot wait until they start laying eggs
I LIKED THE VEDEO & I LIKED THE HONESTY THAT THIS LADY DISPLAYRD. I COULD EASILY BE HER FRIEND BECAUSE OF BOTHHER HONESTY & HER CARING FOR OTHERS, THAT IS WHY SHE MADE THIS VIDEO TO HELP OTHERS. I LIKE THAT !
Thank you for ll the information ... i am a first timer only because my grand-kids wanted pet chicks ... guess who end up taking care of them , yes Grand-pa. i been viewing some of your videos they are great .
Every summer my folks dropped off my sister and myself on my Aunt's farm and we stayed all summer. My main chore was taking care of the chickens. Loved them. Unfortunately, she also had the most evil guinea fowl, lol. Those were the days...
Thank you for this, I have wanted a couple of chickens for a long time but my 'strange' neighbour would complain ! after all, he comes out and shouts at the pigeons for 'coooing' so he would have a field day with chickens !!
Really enjoy your videos. Thank you for your time and work to help all us online. We have Zero Chickens at this time as we live in a HOA. But researching and daydreaming till we can move and get started. So I wanted to thank you and commend you on your enjoyable videos.
I have two backyard hens in rural Montana. A 2.5 year old black australorp and a 7-8 year old buff orpington. My buffy tends to prefer summer to winter but the black australorp looks more miserable on very warm days. But hot days are pretty numbered in the summer this far north. No, my coop isn’t shaded either. They’re happy birds and spend most of their days (when it’s above freezing outside) in my backyard. When they get warm on hot summer days they seek refuge under old parked cars. Buffy is a louder bird than my black australorp, she’s more prone to sing when it’s decent weather outside.
I had one who was always broody, had to cull her a month ago as she had a growth in her throat which was slowly starving her. She was in a bad way bless her.
Another tip: position your run or tractor so they can't see you most of the time. If they're used to being let out to roam and they know you're around, they can get noisy / fussy like children demanding to be let free. Doesn't matter how nice you make it in there. All they know is LET ME OUT.
I have a Buff Orpington and a Light Brahma, and they're the quietest birds I've ever seen. They interact well, and they're good friends. The neighbors like them too.
I keep 3 chickens, they all have names and are more like household pets. We eat the eggs, but I could not butcher them as I know each one as a little personality with it's own things it likes, it's unique habits and temperament.
Becky, what you said about the chickens sticking to their own breed is so right! I currently have 10 chicks, 3 different breeds all growing up together but the bantams are super clicky. The other breeds (Rode Island Red and Sussex) seem to be mixing quite well though.
I love your videos Becky. Those Buff Orpingtons are gorgeous! They look so soft. I live in the desert in CA and my neighbors have chickens, but I really don't know how they survive our heat. We are over 100 degrees for many months. Brutal.
I like ALL the chickens. I remember my friend's rhode island red roosting in the tree outside her window in the dark night. I thought I saw that & couldn't believe my eyes, and I was 'hey!' 'There's a chicken in your tree!' Yes, she'd forgotten to go open the coop for the night. Chickens are amazing and resourceful. Funny your rooster crowing without making any noise! Lol. He was trying! ; ) (editing, I know, but funny!)
I had 2 Black Australorps when my daughter was little. I loved them Agnus♥️ and Whitney♥️. My brother had Rhode Island Reds when we were little. Great Chickens.
Hmmm, you do know what you are saying!! The only two breeds that I have had, and loved, are Buff Orpington (now) and Black Australorp (still have 2 for hatching eggs) You are totally right!!!! :)
@@ChristopherAMacleod Thank you I was wondering about that. I know that a roster would not work out. I didn't know if these chickens would work or not. So thank you.
I ordered a new breed of chickens called Bielefelder about 7 months ago. I will receive them tomorrow. Can’t wait. Please look them up they are so beautiful and I read that they a gentle. They said the hard thing about rising bielefelder is pronouncing their name.
I just got 6 baby chicks,about 2-4 weeks old, and second time having hens! I got 2 Brown Isa's, 2 Green Layers, 1 Australorp, and 1 Rhode Island Red! SO EXCITED!
Whatever breed you're considering, please rescue. You can rescue almost any breed you can think of. You'll save a life and open up space for the organization to save more.
Don't listen to calistyle 89viz, my son has a Redbone coonhound and I LOVE his melodious baying. You won't have any unwanted critters either, not to mention their sweet, silly personalities.
I have 5 breeds of chickens in my flock right now and overall my Rhode Island Reds are my favorite chicken. Excellent layers, friendly and pleasant to have around.
We finally got our nine little ladies outside into their coops and run. They still haven’t learned to go into their coops at dusk. I have to catch them and put the, in their coops. I sure hope they learn to do this on their own soon. I have three Black Australorps, three Buff Orpingtons and three Barred Rocks.
I got buff Orpington chickens after watching this video, since I do have neighbors and I didn’t want to bother them. I have to warn you they DO make noise, they have a tendency to be quieter but every chickens personality is different. I’m currently giving my girls away due to them screaming at 5am.
They are tiny, dont lay much eggs and brood a lot. The tiniest are also a bit weak in health. But If you want them for quiet company, And your climat isn't too extreme, yes they are sweet!
My Easter Egger rooster is the first Roo I’ve had I can actually have near my House and not on the other end of my acreage. There is such thing as a less noisy rooster but they all crow at some point. His hens are pretty quiet too. My Silkie rooster is fairly loud lol I think it also depends on the bird not just the breed I agree with Becky on how racist chickens can be lol. They all fee safer together but tend to buddy up more with their own breed.
I love chickens I had a pet chicken at my grandparents called Rita, she slept ,ate with me on the table it drove my sweet grandma crazy , I wish I had pics to show u the lady she was😀we were blown away she thought she was the queen of the farm😀😀😀❤❤❤
Becky, this was the first video I watched from yours and I just felt in love to the way you explain things and show your love to the animals. You got a new fan. I have close neighbors and you helped me. Cheers!
I live in a smaller-sized city and we have a farm store, and I always see these two breeds when they have chicks for sale. They are super popular in the suburbs I think. I see lots of people with black backyard chickens. It's pretty cool.
Hi Becky!! I absolutely Love watching your videos every sunday but I was wondering why you dont show and talk about your horses and pigs very much. I'd love to see and learn more about raising and taking care of them. Just wondering if possibly its something you plan on showing in the near future? Have a wonderful week and cant wait to see you and your animals next sunday!! 😁🐓🐔🐎🐖🐕🐈
This is my exact situation right now. We bought our house two years ago now and I have wanted chickens way before that. But being so close to our neighbors i have been so stressed about it all. It is legal for me to have them i just didn’t want everyone to be super annoyed. A few times i said ok I’m just doing it i don’t care and then i chicken out 😂. I was surprised to see how loud even hens can be haha. I think this was the last little push I needed to feel confident in just doing it!!! Thanks!!!
Love the video. I must have gotten the two rotten Buffs because they were the most obnoxious chickens I ever had. Had to give them away. My two Barred Rocks are great. Raising an Isa Brown, a Delaware and a Gold Sexlink so I’m curious how they’ll do noise wise
I'm watching you from Bangladesh. I really respect your effort to share knowledge with other.( I love you 💗) may Allah bless you with health . You are wonderful.
My purebred Lavender Ameracuanas are super silent. The rooster makes a few little peeps around 5 am, and thats it for the day. My neighbors keep a mixed easter egger flock and it sounds like a dramatic soap opera over there everyday.
Hi Elesa I hope my comment didn't sound as a form of privacy invasion your comment tells of a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart which led me to comment I don't normally write in the comment section but I think you deserve this complement. If you don’t mind can we be friends? Thanks God bless you….🌹🌹🌹🌹
We have a buff orpington. She is the sweetest of the bunch and kid friendly! But she is by far the NOISIEST out of all of them!! We have an Easter egger, an Ayman Cemani, a golden laced Wyandotte, and a lavender orpington and our buff orpington is by far the most vocal!!
I had to laugh when I saw your guinea. Talk about LOUD and obnoxious! The guineas were almost a "watch dog" for us. They always let us know when man or beast was prowling around. LOL
My black Australorp Willow must be an odd ball LOL! She is so loud, when she wants something. She wakes us up in the morning going from door to window and back again complaining loudly until we open the door with a treat😂 Also she hates me and loves my husband. We have stand offs all the time. It’s really funny. I think she hates me because she is broody very often and I am the one who collects the eggs, and also the one who does all the other things that have to be done to them that they don’t like. I still love her though even if she does hate me. I very much enjoy watching your videos. Keep them coming✌️❤️
I love Ameraucanas and Silkies! Ameraucanas have a lot character to them. My kids have given them all cute names and all. Our Silkies are also awesome! So friendly and fluffy! But they lay small eggs unlike the Ameraucana that lay large eggs.
My hubby is more concerned about smells, I told him if they are well cared for and the coop kept clean, they don't smell. My uncle Eddie's never did. -Hope from the burbs of Chicago. Thank you, You, he will believe, he thinks I know nothing despite being raised on farms every summer!😄😍👍
Seedaholic Gardens I have no smells and I have several rabbits, quail and chickens. It’s all about putting the manure onto your garden or compost pile. Dog poop is the only smell I have in my yard. Hands down!!
I've been researching the Orpington's but didn't know about the Black Australorps. Thanks for the great info. I have children and live in a neighborhood in NC so it sounds like either breed would be great for us. (The Australorps perhaps a bit better)
I agree with the same breed cliques in a flock. I bought five chicks a month ago: two Lavender Orpingtons, a Black Copper Maran, a Silver Lace Sussex, and a golden brown chick that was advertised as a Color Pack Egger. As chicks, the Maran and the Sussex are both black in color, except for a white patch on one of them. That left the golden brown chick as the oddball. Sadly, that one died a week later😢
Thank you for the information on these two breeds. Living in Michigan, I think I'm gravitating towards the Buffs because of their cold tolerance. But thanks again for publishing this!
If you have a 2 hens and need eggs - why ever get a broody chickens? pain in the ass they are for the most small back yard operators. Me and my neighbors had leghorns and RIR (mine RIR was super loud and neighbors is super quiet) our leghorns were /are very quiet against popular belief.@@BeckysHomestead
Absolutely loved this video - and can’t wait to check out more of your content! Looking into getting started with some chickens for our family and this was perfect for helping me decide on what breeds to go for 😊
@@krismullen5255 I definitely did and ended up watching soooo many chicken videos from tons of backyard chicken farmers. I ended up going with ISA Browns b/c they were easiest to find in my area. They are great birds, super chill and loving with my kiddos
