HOW to raise CHICKENS for eggs

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[joecrowder]

I haven't been able to raise chickens since I was young until a year ago. Now I won't ever go without them again.

[happygranolamama]

My children like to put on aprons and carry around our Rhode Island Reds in them, they call this “ Chicken in a pouch”. The chickens love it and sometimes fall asleep in the pouch 😂.

[loritanner]

I wanted to get chickens for 20 years and my hubby poo pooed the idea. But a month ago I got 8 laying hens that were just starting to lay. And they lay blue, green and pink eggs. And I only paid 2.00 each! So we had the chicken house done and their run that is 30 ft x 30 ft. It's covered with chicken wire also to protect them from bald eagles etc. And it is so funny, my hubby who didn't want chickens. Is now a chicken dad. He's always checking for eggs, watching their antics etc. So if someone doesn't think they will like them? We have been enjoying them so much. They know me as the treat lady. And when they see me they start clucking and run up to the fence for their treats. It's so funny. Can't sneak up on them. They always know when I'm coming.

[jodychapple]

I had a black chicken called Lunar, she live inside. She used to put herself to bed at night in a cat carrier and loved to be carried around. She sat up on my mum's hospital bed in her room and was her companion to watch tv. When mum passed, Lunar looked everywhere for her.
She didn't get along with our other chickens, they picked on her. She was more like a cat or dog than a bird. I miss her.

[jiggjohns]

We have 2 hens and can’t keep up with using all the eggs 14 most weeks, we have Rhode Island reds they’re also our pets that run the yard.

[mrmacgregorshomestead]

Some additional tips I'd love to share:

Don't forget about the climate you live in. Some breeds are more heat tolerant while others are more cold tolerant. Proper housing is crucial as well as proper feeds and plenty of clean water!

The heat lamps need to be dusted off from time to time to prevent fires (this includes the bulb). CAUTION: the bulb and the shield will be HOT until they cool off after shutting it off in order to dust it off. It is unnecessary to use heat lamps in chicken coops once the birds have feathered out. This has been the leading cause of fires. The dust and dander that accumulate on the bulb &/or sheild can ignite. The other cause is the birds flying in the coop and hitting the lamp, causing it to explode. The hot shards land in the bedding and ignite. Another reason not to use heat lamps for feathered birds is that when the power goes out, they haven't acclimated to the weather (example: northern winters) and quickly die. When chickens are left to acclimate, they build up down feathers and actually put out 5 btu's of heat, each!

Once they are feathered out, they are generally safe to put them outside (weather and elements considered). As long as they are kept out of all drafts, and they have ventilation you are good to go. Drafts and moisture are detrimental to a flock.

When introducing new birds, use the buddy system (meaning when you add them, add more than one. There is safety in numbers. The old flock will be aggressive for a time as the new pecking order is established.) Be sure to isolate new birds for at least a week. Diotomaceous Earth, DE, (food grade) is a great way to dust the new chickens to mitigate mites etc.

Some birds are more flighty than others. Clipping one wing isnt harmful, and makes them off balanced. This helps deter them from flying out of the area you have set up from them. There are great vids out there to show you how to do it.

Predators: be mindful of what wildlife you have around you. Electric fencing is great! If you have hawks, you can always use t-posts and drape netting above. Or you could stream wire or string in a random pattern. If you are moving your birds regularly, you may need to find more creative ways to help with arial predators.

To have clean eggs to gather, add a small handful of bedding in the nesting boxes periodically. Clean it out as needed. Clean bedding = Clean eggs :)

Mike, great vid! I hope that new chicken owners see this vid. I hope i have been able to add more tips that are helpful.
Always, sending our best and prayers for you, your family, and your farm. 🚜 See you in the next video!

[sccountrygirlhomesteadgard]

We started raising chickens for eggs 12+ years ago because store bought eggs made my stomach hurt 🤢 Now we raise chickens for eggs and meat 🙂

[CoderToHomesteader]

Thankfully our land allows us up to 10 chickens for the size of land we own. The eggs are great for eating but also the shells are great for the compost as they provide calcium.

[HOLLESjr]

Muncie Indiana just passed a law No chickens in the City so i went over to KFC and told them to get out of Dodge. LOL.

[ladyking]

Very Informative Mike, Thanks So Much. Lady L from Irving, Texas, Original Home of The Cowboys lol

[jenniferward]

Incubators have come a long way. 62 years ago they were metal I remember seeing my mom and dad checking on them with us in the coop.

[elainefarr]

Thanks for such a good video! I've had chickens most of my life, now I just raise egg layers. One other thing to consider before you buy chickens is your climate- the breeds I raise in the desert southwest may not do well in Montana or Minnesota. I choose breeds that are heat tolerant, you may need chickens that are cold tolerant instead.

[kiprussell]

We love keeping chickens. When the pandemic hit the prices we were getting for chicks and pullets went way up. I told my grandson crystien that I was afraid it would be short lived and people would be dumping animal's soon. I am glad to see the majority of folks in our area are staying interested and keeping chickens.
I think you did a great job with the education part of the video and lot of people needed some help with that. I enjoy watching the kids working with you. Keep up the good work and God bless you all

[MissJens]

We started with 4 one year old layers a year ago. Then we added a few older pullets last fall. We stayed in touch with our “chicken guy” and just added another half dozen pullets. We have 13 ladies now. Love my chickens. Definitely don’t regret it. I think we’re going to try meat birds this year too.

[Molino]

We are planning on getting some chickens soon first timers my husband built our coop. I have watched a lot of chickens videos and yours by far is the best! Thank you for all of this information!! I love your personality and I can feel the love and passion you have when you talk.

[albertosolicari]

I remember when I was a child, people in the countryside not having incubators but using the "natural method " for getting chicks having chickens "incubating" the egs.
Sorry for my english.😁

[jeremymcdonald]

Love the sound of baby chicks. Very informational video, thank you!

First year raising cornish cross here and the growth rate is amazing. I've also had a small flock of layers for about 3 years, currently have French Black Copper Marans which is another good dual purpose bird, mild temperament towards people, and they are also a super broody breed that love to hatch out their own eggs.

Keep on trucking, looks like it might be your best season yet!

[BlueRidgeBoone]

Hello from another NC guy. We've been "meanin' to" for a while on chickens. It happened this week. We lucked out and found a guy in the county who had to move quickly. We got a 9wx12Lx7H run, coop, 8 birds, chick supplies, extra wire, tposts and 150# of feed for $100. Healthy curious free range birds who were already laying! Love the content, been lurking for a long time.

[timbillings]

👍👍Good show!!!
You are right fresh eggs are really delicious, way better than the supermarket!!!
My old friend's doughter and her husband give me fresh eggs every week! 😋😋😋
I'm having a egg sandwich for supper tonight!!! Yummy... 😁

[ljhomestead]

I watch a lot of your videos and this was really well done. It's very informative for people that don't have it know what to do with chickens. The video was well put together and entertaining as well. We've raised chickens for a while now and this video just reminded me of our beginning and how very little we knew as well as how far we've come and had to figure out on our own.