Chicken Day! Tour of the chicken coop and first day owning chickens 

I was really surprised. It may have been a fluke so we shall see over the next few days how they do. I think the average is about 4 eggs a week per bird. They seem to be happy though.

fireballmalone1 4? My red star lays an egg almost every day!

kmb383 that's awesome!! I have been on a roll lately getting 5 for 5 everyday for about a week and a half. They lay later and later then earlier and earlier. It's an interesting cycle they have. Thank you for the great comments. Good luck and ATB

Stupid Dragon I was really surprised. I read it would take weeks sometimes for them to acclimate to a new home. They lay like clockwork now.

Thank YOU!! They definitely seem to be happy and it has paid itself off in some great "chicken TV" and of course, eggs haha. ATB

Caroline Allen Thanks! They seem to be pretty happy. Always making improvements and learning. Appreciate the comment, ATB

Thanks! They have been doing really well over the years. Cheers!

Thank you SO much. A lot has been learned and many changes since this video. They are such a great responsibility to have on the little homestead and we take it very seriously. Hope your'e well and all the best. Cheers!

CHEERS!!! They do seem to be happy and I have learned ALOT over the passed few years. ATB

Thanks! We have 11 packed in now and they seem comfortable and happy. Cheers

Thanks!

Thank you! I am thinking about getting more this summer. Good luck relocating yours! How many do you have?

@@fireballmalone1 No problem. I have 4 Australops. I had 6 but a fox killed 2. I will get some more when I finish their new home!

That is a really great idea! All of the reading and videos and no one has ever suggested that! Cheers

Teri Guerin Thanks! I did an update video recently too showing some things I’ve changed and improved over the first year. Cheers

THANKS!

Suriyati S. I have read about the deep litter method but not sure if I'm gonna do that in summer. I read it can increase the temp in the coop. This winter I will probably try it and see how it goes. If you don't mind, let me k is how it works out for you and if you notice the coops inside temp fluctuate. I have a thermometer in mine to keep an eye on it. Thanks for the comment, ATB

I think the temperature is supposed to rise to keep the bedding dry and you have to till it once a month I reckon to keep the bedding dry and add new layer on top of the old layers... the bedding cannot get wet in this system.. anyway, I'll let you know how my experiment going next year though.. 😊

How is your) Deep Bedding experiment going?

Random world I agree. Getting more this spring

Gracie mille!!!

Jacks train videos Epic No problem Cloth not airtight

Riley Lockard thanks! I am planning on a new feeder build soon. The one I made isn't as low maintenance as I thought. Cheers!

That is a great and sensible idea, wish I had thought of that! I ended up getting a standard feeding basin that hangs which has been great but it's definitely not as cool.

Buddy Moore thank you for the comment and great suggestion. I actually changed out the round pole and ended up putting in a landscape timber that I sanded down to avoid splintering. They seem to love it. They can sit on it while still grabbing the front due to the rounded edges. It's about as wide as a 2x4 laying flat. Right now I am prepping for their first winter.

fireballmalone1 Good idea on the roost. I'm in Louisiana so I probably won't winter prep until next month. We're still having 90 degree days. All I do to winterize is put plastic over the windows near the roost. That still leaves plenty of ventilation. I've lost chickens to heat but never to cold. I would rather err on the side of too much ventilation.

Thank you SO much! It has been a learning experience for sure. Some people disagree with the lights but they only stay on for about 20 minutes at the break of day and I think it gives them time to settle and fight for roost position, which is every night. Thanks for the comment, ATB

fireballmalone1 - Our setup is being built over the next month in an urban hen keeping situation (I post progress to my stories/highlights on Instagram under the same username) and I have concerns over predators and hooligans. I was looking into motion sensitive solar LED flood lights like yours for this purpose. It might also be handy for us come winter because sunset is at around 4pm-430pm making the day very short (8hrs daylight max) for any egg layers. So even like you say, if it stayed on for an extra 20min or hour it might be helpful. We back onto a public fence and walking path so passers-by with ears will definitely notice chicken noises in the daytime. Haha!

cybercanuck that sounds really exciting that you’re getting SO CLOSE to getting your chickens and starting a really great and interesting change. They are very rewarding, but you’re right about that responsibility Coming with some stressors and concerns. I am looking into purchasing a bunch of the solar lights I have on the chicken coop and putting them around the property. I’ve had that solar light out there now for a few years and, knock on wood, it has worked flawlessly. I really do wish you guys the best and hope your experience is an exceptional one. Cheers

cybercanuck PS, I will also check out your Instagram pictures. Thanks for the information.

Thanks!

@@fireballmalone1 You are wonderful! Your work is amazing! Can't wait to see a new vid from you! God bless you!

nwroadrat thanks bud, it's kind of weirdly addictive to sit and watch them run around. Now I just gotta train them to ride mini mini bikes lol

Gabby Flying Chef Lol! I hope they're happy. We get so many eggs! Even in the winter they have been laying nonstop. Getting ready to seed the run with a combo of grains for them. Thanks for the comment, ATB!

LY01 that is a really great idea. I may actually do that today! Thanks

A trail cam is a great idea. I tried to catch one but they would let me get anywhere near them. I figured I'd wait a couple days until they settled down and try again to teach them the waterer. Thanks for the advice! ATB

azalea5560 they have finally figured out the waterer! I caught one......eventually and took your advice, half hour later, presto. Big thanks

Thank you so much! Have an amazing weekend!

Thank you very much. It has definitely been a labor of love and a learning experience. Cheers!

Andrew Kenseth This is seriously one of the best compliments I've gotten on the coop videos. The coop was the first big project I ever tried to build. I really hope your build goes well and you enjoy the process. I learned a lot through building mine and it lead to a lot of other projects. The only main thing I changed was the feeder. It never really worked well. I kept having to help the food work its way past the 90. I wish you guys the best!! And thanks again for the comment

Emma Kay thanks for the info. I've made a few changes since this video and the first was the roost. The first night they didn't seem comfortable so I replaced it with a landscape timber and did raise it up. I should do an update video. After watching this I realize quite a bit has been modified.

Thank you for the kind words. All the best!

Thanks! We are up to 11 now and have surely learned a lot. Hope you're doing well! ATB

So far they seem to enjoy it. I went 5 for 5 with eggs on the first day! atb

kmb383 they have been so much fun so far. I have tweaked some things and knew it would be a learning experience. Right now I'm planning for winter!

Absolutely! Thank you and have an awesome week!

Thanks! We’ve made lots of upgrades and changes as we’ve learned. Cheers

Amanda Vadon Thanks! They figured it out after about 3 days or so. I have added a couple watered out in the yard for when I let them out when I'm outside working on something. Appreciate the advice!

I appreciate this comment and you taking the time to reply to the video. When I initially started researching how to raise chickens, a lot of the material mentioned the benefits of DE for bugs and other things and I decided to use it because of the huge amount of resources I was coming across that raved about why it Should be used. I haven't seen any of the benefits that I relied on so have since stopped using it. I recently saved some chickens from some pretty horrible living conditions and was still using it, and one the girls had an UR infection. At the time we were still using DE and it made it worse and she passed. I feel it was unavoidable but due to my ignorance she paid the price. I no longer use it and have made many changes along the way. I try to really listen to comments like yours and learn from them. Cheers

Lit' AHSr. That is a really great idea. I have noticed if they see water drip or food tossed they go after the movement pretty quick. After the first one figured it out the rest fell in line. Cheers

Cheers! They were a little older than we were told but super happy regardless. I think that is the most important.. Good luck with your girls and best wishes to a safe and productive experience..

Thanks!

DellsDad86 Thanks! I did an update video recently if your interested. ATB!

Baby G thanks for the input. I have changed the roosts completely since this video. I added some and the cross the width of the inside and have multiple levels to the highest point they would be comfortable. It’s been a labor of love and a learning experience. Comments like this have really helped. Cheers

Kaltrina Demiri I thought that was really weird too. I bought them from some local Mennonites and that’s how he gave them to me. I asked if he had a box but since I was 15 minutes away he said they’d be ok. They didn’t run out after the bag was opened so I guess they didn’t mind, but yeah. A little weird. Thanks for the comment, ATB!

actually the bag is better than a cage because for short trips it really keeps them calmer and stress free. the fact that he got eggs on day one shows that. lol lucky guy.

Thank you!!

Thank you very much, they seem to like it. Cheers!

Thanks!!!

Allie Geiger that's awesome! I wish you the best of luck! I put up a trail camera facing the coop to try and catch any sketchy goings on but none yet. I'm excited for you. They are a blast to sit and watch.

Francoeur Farms during the hottest time of the year with 5 chickens it seems to last about 3 weeks. I change it every 2-3 weeks to keep it fresh just in case. I also have 3 hanging water containers around the pen and run and one inside the coop now. Hope that helps.

thats great, thanks for a quick reply on an old video :) i'm going to be copying your design a little bit for their outdoor run very soon.

Francoeur Farms That’s awesome to hear! I I hope it goes well. If I can help in anyway let me know. Good luck and ATB

Gavin Miller Thanks for the comment. For a roll of 6ft high by 100 ft long it cost us $128. There are different grades of this type of fencing as well as different size openings (rectangles) that will affect the cost. This type of welded wire is 2 in by 4 in and 14 gauge but is not coated. I hope this helps. There are many different places that carry this and if you are near a rural area, farming co ops would probably have a much better deal than a box box store. ATB! Cheers

I just purchased five 4’ x 25 ‘ 1/2 “ 19 gauge hardware cloth at Home Depot, $60 per roll. Them better be some fine eggs.

I have to completely agree with you while also fully appreciating you taking the time to send this comment. I don't personally view these sweet little animals as just egg producers, but more like little individuals that should be able to live their best lives. It is a learning process that's for sure, especially for this city guy that didn't grow up raising animals. Thanks again for the feedback, ATB.

@@fireballmalone1 Thanks for your reply. We had planned to move to France this year and get a smallholding of a few acres to spend our retirement on. However our plans have been scuppered by this coronavirus and we will have to wait to see when it will be possible to travel again. Included in our plans was the idea of keeping some chickens starting with a few ex battery chicks, pigs and maybe goats. I have drawn up the plans for my chicken coop and run, using some great ideas found on You Tube. Ultimately, I wanted to film all this and start my own channel to share our journey, with all the highs and lows, successes and mistakes , building the coop etc. Ha ! so much for that . We were hoping to be out there by late summer/ early autumn. But who knows when it will happen now.? Watch this space. Take care and keep safe.

Thanks for the advice. We do tend to spend a lot of time out there and I’m the yard around them. Now they e gotten so used to us being there, and knowing it’s safe, they with actually climb on us and hang out wherever we are. We let them free range in weekends because we’re in the yard the whole time. They are a blast to watch and are way smarter than I assumed. Cheers and atb

Thanks! They seem to really enjoy it. Up to 10 now and looking for more. Cheers

Oneda Zinn thanks! They seem pretty happy. We've had pretty nice weather here the last couple days and we've been letting them out to free range. I've been in the yard starting a greenhouse so they are pretty safe. I had no idea what I was doing when I built this, but the doors, surprisingly, worked out pretty good. Thanks again!!

David Punzel I live really close to a Mennonite community, about ten minutes. That’s where I purchased the chickens and admittedly was shocked when he put them in a bag. They didn’t seem to be bothered too much by it but the next time I got chickens I was much more prepared

Greg Gomes the feeder I made is,going to have a complete overhaul. I've already taken it apart and had to clean it because water got in. They have figured out the water cups finally, and I kept the other waterer out so they stay hydrated. I like the nipple idea name will check it out thanks.

Renee Sheil Thank you! Cheers

JBtheExplorer so far I'm getting eggs everyday. And I gotta say, they're pretty amazing!

John Martinez Thank you SO much!! It has been a good investment and they seem to be really happy, and safe. Cheers!

Lol…I have thought it would make for a good tiny camping cabin..

That is great to hear, I really appreciate the feedback. I nixed the feeder because it kept bunching up and went with a standard hanging one but maybe you could improve on the idea and get to function better than I did. Good luck on your future build!

NTHUSANG BOEMELWANG Thank you SO much! It was a labor of love. Cheers

David Aguirre Thank you so much. It has been a learning experience for sure.

When I got them they were 9 months old.

Cindy Majors Thank you for all the great comments! It’s definitely been a learning process. Cheers!

Diane Veilleux that is a great idea! We have a routine of scooping out the poop every day and adding it to our compost pile but your way is quite a bit less hassle. I am think about getting some more this spring too. I think I could go up to 10 and they would still be comfortable. I am a bit hesitant because of the battle for pecking order I read about. Thanks again, atb

fireballmalone1 you could go up much more than 10... easily 20, tight for 30, but still doable. Just need additional roosting bars. Best coop I have ever seen! I am building #5, 6 & 7 right now. I don’t have the resources to build like you have, but I am defiantly keeping a lot of the things you have done in mind when building mine...but if I did have the resources, i would do what you have done. You are gonna really enjoy those birds. A good coop is so key to the whole enjoyment of the birds! I can’t believe you got eggs on day one. That is for sure those chickens telling you how happy they are with the time and care and love you put into that coop!

Chickmamapalletfarm 7 coops! How many chickens do you have? That's awesome!! I have updated my roosts to thick tree branches and they seem to really like it. How do you tackle leg mites? They don't like to be caught otherwise I'd give them baths. I've got multiple dust baths for them but one of the birds has leg mites and I've tried all kinds of stuff but doesn't seem to help. Any advice would be great. Thanks for the kind comments and good luck with your new builds!

MandyNiXX thanks, I have tweaked it a bit more, added a solar fan in the coop, compost piles in the run that they LOVE. And some more obstacles the play on. Appreciate the comment, ATB

Tony Hoang After everything it was about 1500, which was more than I expected but I think worth it. Cheers

Thanks!

Edvin Diaz Thank you very much! Cheers

Actually there were quite a few comments about that. I was a little freaked out when the guy brought them out in a bag, but I am ten minutes away and they weren't actually tied up. Mennonites do things a little different and I was happy to purchase them from a family versus a business, but yeah, the bag was weird. I wanted to be transparent as to how the whole process happened and did catch some flak, but it wasn't something I chose, but had to deal with. Cheers

@@fireballmalone1 i appreciate your activity and quick feedback on the subject. You can imagine it would be scary to be in a condensed space where you cant even get a good footing. It seemed kinda shitty to see. You must be from pennsylvania or near to it. Ive seen many Mennonites in pa

@@fragglefknrock7568 I'm actually in the mountains of Tn. They are an amazing people but definitely do things very different. I am planning on getting some more chickens from a different family and have already gotten a huge plastic container with a screen top that I'll bring this time...

James Pearson Congratulations on getting your chickens!! They are a trip to watch. I really wish you guys the best with them. Thank you for the kind words as well. ATB

Thank you!! There have been some revisions with time but the goal is always to make them happy, healthy, and safe. Cheers!