hello pete, when it comes to adding wood chips to my chicken run, i just tip it all out into a big heap on the floor. i find that the chickens will scratch and kick all the chips around looking for bugs and it is leveled off in a few hours, this saves me a job and gives the hens hours of entertainment. regards from England.

@felishiadarling

Жыл бұрын

My chickens love to get into my piles. They go right to them in the morning and are obliterated by the time I come out.

Love your coop with the swings- what a great idea!

I’m in Central Texas. I use pine bark mulch in my runs. They turn it every day so the poop goes down. I get bags and just dump it and they spread it. I also have all 5 runs covered with tarps which keeps the runs pretty dry. If you run bedding is higher than the ground next to it, it will stay dry.

I love your setup. It is awesome. I love my chickens like you do & I have a run like yours. My chickens are my babies. They get up on my lap when I go out there. I spend a lot of time with my chickens. You are doing a great job. They look happy.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂

For everyone saying he just needs a roof.. that will only work if he puts up walls on the outside also. Rain does not fall perfectly straight down. It will absolutely come in from the sides. I have mine “roofed” and it’s like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound.

THANKS PETE I’m new to our part of TX and this fall 2021 will be a complete 4 seasons I have quail working out great in hutches I realllly want chickens too and thought I would only have meat chickens next spring and summer - you just showed me WHAT I CAN DO to have my egg layers THANKS FOR SHARING

What a great idea! The woman from Chickenlandia also mixes in the pine pellets which are very absorbent & break down. They smell great, too! (I use them in my Breeze cat litter box & it’s a fabulous way to go!) Anyway, all this just to mention that I’ve also collected fallen pine needles & small branches to use in the run-they smell great and are nutritious snack for “the girls.” Thanks for sharing!

Love your set-up and the music. My chickens love swings too

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

👍

I really like this guy! He would be a great neighbor!

Love your choice of music, and awesome chicken run.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂

I love watching you look after your chickens

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂

That's a nice chicken coop and run there. But, I think I'd build a run with a roof. That would probably help keeping the area more dry. It would also provide some more shade in the mid day, which the birds would love in summer. Also, I'd put a board or something all along the bottom of the run wall so the chickens can't kick too much of the bedding out. Maybe a board or some scraps from metal roofing, or anything, about 12 to 18 inches tall. The birds look happy and healthy, though.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

👍

Yes cover your top so rain will not full plenty If water chicken are best keep them you are kind person and God bless you more to come

Not sure if you care but I learned this myself. Your support crossbeam should go to the opposite corners of your gate. It would help with the drag and help keep it level I promise.

I have half my run covered in a tarp it’s lasted 3 years so far. I’m in sandy Florida so no mud. I’m afraid of wood chips because of bumble foot but wood chips mixed with chicken manure makes wonderful compost. Looking good

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

👍

take your cross support board off and put it on with the bottom in the back corner (hinge side), and the top (at the opening side) of the door. That will keep the door from sagging & binding in it's opening.

You can tell that you care about the comfort of your flock! How nice to see!!!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

@joyceg3916

5 жыл бұрын

I'm in Northern Illinois and have colder temps to deal with.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

I used to live in Michigan, I know all about the cold temps and I can assure you I don't miss it one bit. 😬

I also like the idea of building up compost in there. That is an excellent idea!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Hey Pete, im from Silsbee area. My son gave me a small Chicken coop w run. It had been out in weather, of course. We almost messed it up moving it. As i thought about the situation, i decidedto take P.T. 2 x 6 and put under it. Wow, coops up higher, screwed down coop to this. Higher and stronger. Just wanted to mention. This might be an agreeable idea for you. Take bottom of coop up off the ground. I painted my bottom most board before putting it down.

Hi Pete, good video! I have a much smaller run for my 6 chicken but have the same problem. I used sand to absorb some of the excess water. Of course I didn't have a pile of sand to take it from. I bought some construction sand (6 baags). Keep the videos coming!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

👍

Good looking setup 👊🏻

Love the music!

Great problem solving, Pete. I LOVE the idea of wood chips as litter. I think I'll put down a base of wood chips and top it off with a layer of leaves! 👍👍👍

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Awesome 👍

@sallyboothe911

2 жыл бұрын

I can’t find wood chips where I live in NE Mississippi, I’m almost out of leaves, the chicken run stays so wet in the winter and spring. Still looking for options….

Pete it looks great and I'll bet they really like it. Your chicks look really healthy !

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Love woodchips for the chickens. Works great!

Good Job, Pete.

Wow! Great work! Great care!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hi Pete! We will be getting our chickens in about 3 weeks (they will be 16 weeks old). We built a chicken coop similar to yours...but with the nesting boxes on the platform and a slanted roof (with gutter). But I can't thank you enough for all the chicken video's. We've never raised chickens, but have neighbors that do. LOL But, with your video's and 2 books we've bought, I feel we'll be ready. Thank you for letting us learn with you.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

Жыл бұрын

Awesome thank you, chickens are the best animal to start on a homestead and you'll enjoy getting plenty of fresh eggs.

You should rebuild your door making it shorter in height and putting a board at the bottom of the run across the door way that doesn’t move where your door will but up against the bottom board. You’ll have to step over the board whenever you go into the run. But you won’t have the problem with your door getting stuck on the ground any more! Btw, I thought I had a lot of water on my field at times, but you certainly got me beat! LOL

I like reading all the comments to see all the suggestions everyone makes to you. I think your coop is great!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@dariusjohn625

Жыл бұрын

@@petebeasttexashomesteading what size is your chicken run?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

Жыл бұрын

@@dariusjohn625 It's 24'x10'

I really enjoyed this video. Than’ you. Music was great by the way.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

thank you 🙂

Beautiful chicken coop brother.I wish u good luck n great income.

Nice job looks good disaster averted.

I’ve read that some farmers use pea gravel or some other small pebbles in their run. Rocks don’t decompose as fast! LOL But then again long as you don’t mind scraping it out every so often and adding the chips to your garden you can’t go wrong that way either!

Lol..The dogs are having a party in the background.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

👍

@briancarroll6753

5 жыл бұрын

@@petebeasttexashomesteading I had chickens many years ago so much fun , I"m getting some quail soon , My best chicken was nosy rosiey she had to be with me at all times .

Good idea to add the wood chips and great background music!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@Taprisha84

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah the background music is awesome and ideal...lol

not to be rude but they're chickens...as long as it's not raining constantly for ever it will dry up and they will be fine. i have raised chickens for years in a 50 x 50 pen. sometimes it's muddy sometimes it's not. your run is great, its cleaner than some peoples houses. a chicken wont die from muddy feet...lol

Enjoyed this vid mate,all the best from the UK🇬🇧…..subscribed 👍🏼

@petebeasttexashomesteading

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

I would so love to have a place in the country where I could have chickens. I live barely in the city limits and can't have chicken. I've got a place picked out in the mountains as soon as I get the money.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

That's awesome, in the mountains is best and far enough away from the city to grow your own food and from all the restrictions and high taxes.

@deltatherapeutics9870

5 жыл бұрын

We are all pulling for you brother - you will make it to that mountain! I know it!

@doubleg8928

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this great tip. I live in Woodstock GA on an acre with 8 chickens. Living the dream! Always working on keeping the chickens safe, healthy and happy.

@lunaflamed

5 жыл бұрын

You and be both. I can have chickens but deal so often with a nasty neighbor and power tripping and uneducated, duplicitous authority which said neighbor constantly call.

@niecedspain3568

4 жыл бұрын

Most cities allow them now. We live in a suburban type neighborhood and they are allowing people to have a couple chickens. I didn’t want a rooster because of the crowing but having two or 3 chickens won’t even be noticeable.

nice music and a very well produced and edited Vlog... kudos... 👍😎👍

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

The door large enough to move the wagon into the run for clean up and to put in bedding is a great idea, thinking I might have to borrow that one...first time viewer, new subscriber...

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

Very good advice

Good Job Pete ✌.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Beautiful coup and run. I am jealous.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

We use the wood pellets that are designed to be used in a pellet stove. They absorb a ton of water and work in dry pens just as well to line the coop with clean flooring. When it is applied to dry dirt, we just spray it lightly with water to dampen it just a bit and soften it up. It makes the coop smell fresh as well.

@2rcalkins

Жыл бұрын

@Miss Jen 🐾 End DayZ R Now! No straw. The pellets dissolve into fine sawdust and lots of it. They soak up any moisture available. We add a small amount of sprayed water to help start the breakdown process. Once you try it, you will get a feel for how to go about it. It leaves the coop smelling fresh and clean for a very long time. We have a small flock, live in a relatively dry climate for the most part. We usually lay down the pellets every three months.

good stuff Pete!...thanks

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

I use chips here in central MD a lot. If the mud gets deep, it sucks your boots off! I still sometimes sink even w the chips, but my boots stay on and much cleaner.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

👍

Nice tunes!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, songs are in the description.

I also use wood chips. I have a lot of brush and small saplings on the property, so I just chip them up in my chipper/shredder and use it.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

👍 yep wood chips work great.

That is exactly what I did, I had chip drop deliver and it worked out great.. I live in Ohio and it's always raining

Just did the same thing, except I used wheat straw. It's been raining every other day in NW Georgia.

Then when we clean the coop, which is quite large and they are free range hens.. we use the pine shavings and debris for a compost😊👊🏻

My neighbor is a tree guy , chips are free and plentiful, over my run I use corrugated plastic for a roof , works ok especially come the snow.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Chips are plentiful here too.........but not cheap 🙁

@melissajohnson2935

4 жыл бұрын

Problem with corrugated plastic roof is where we live. I'm in north Louisiana with the exact same climate as this guy and our summers are brutal. Even with all the sides open, the corrugated plastic is actually made for a greenhouse so it's designed to let all the sun and heat in it can, so it tends to make everything under it twenty degrees hotter. Which isn't good when it's already 110° outside with no breeze and 99% humidity. A light colored tin would be better, still a bit warmer than normal but it does better to reflect the sun and heat that the other.

Hi Pete on the big gate you have attached the diagonal timber the wrong way that is why the gate has sagged remove and put it the opposite way so the bottom is at the hing side. Get someone to help you lift the left side while you screw the timber. That should fix it.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

I've been getting a few comments like this telling me that the diagonal brace is wrong. Actually it works better this way. The diagonal brace is pulling the door from falling down. It's the same design that is used in cable bridges. Just think of the diagonal brace and the hinge side as a right triangle.

@denisewilson8367

4 жыл бұрын

it is on backwards, thats why your door sags and you couldn't open it. Turn the bracing 2X4 THE OTHER WAY, bottom on hinge side top on open side.

Scatter the chips over your grass area and overtime the soil will repair itself and will not crack up in the summer and drain better in the winter,like the soil in a forest

How did you create that cool perch in the run?? How is it affixed to the ground??

I just dump the load and let the chickens have fun spreading. In 2 hours they complete the job and kept busy.

Hi Pete, question why do you not put a roof on the coop to keep the rain out? The woodchip is a brilliant idea and it will be good for your garden, but a roof would stop the birds from getting wet.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

I thought about putting a roof on but it would make it dark and gloomy 😞 I just need to stay on top of it and keep the run bedding higher then the ground level.

@C80ree

5 жыл бұрын

What about if you used the clear plastic sheet (corrugated) they put on green houses?@@petebeasttexashomesteading

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

@@C80ree Thanks, that would work and something I might try later.

@dynarb1

5 жыл бұрын

Just FYI, the roof might work. From personal experience on 2 acres where my chickens ran loose, they stayed out in the rain. Why? No idea. They had a lot of trees and large low hanging bushes, their 'bed or roost' an old shell of a trailer parked on a slab of concrete that was weather sealed (the doors wide open) and the open back porch. Did they use any of this? No. They'd rather all pile up under a small portable fire pit that had a hole in the middle for the ashes, which during rain, was as good as a running hose. During intense lightening storms, I'd invariably lose one to a lightening strike. Nothing really more dreary looking than a sopping wet chicken. Their choice. Good luck.

@ajaztaj

4 жыл бұрын

Dear pete it will not dark if u put roof on top only rest of three sides will b open

First time viewer, really like your idea's, I'm going to tell my son about putting wood chips in his chicken run!

Wood chips r good when the rain gets bad I use pine shaving from tractor supply dump bags in let the chickens spread it dry it up guick

Good idea

When clearing our land of fallen branches and limbs, I use a tarp and pull it from place to place as I'm collecting the tree branches. It would also work for the wood chips. Just load up the tarp and pull it over to where you want it. Just a thought, belated. 🤪

Yeah, W/o is chips are great, worms love it too, protein for the girls and you can replace it putting the old wood chips on the garden with extra fertiliser.

Keeping the run dry is very important for having healthy chickens. They need dry areas for walking in, keeping feathers dry (since they are not like other birds), and dry areas to dust bathe to keep mites away.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

👍

The best thing to use is horse bedding pellets. It's the best thing I've ever used

I could just imagine How kind you are doing many things your property doing just for yourself well You keep your chicken You will be blessed. Abd someday you will Have plenty things organic eggs Why not hire somebody to help you You are very brave doing everything you are kind man God bless you

How do you plan to clean this out after much time ???

nice job

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you

we have same mix of chicks leghorn and NH reds hens right down to the one austrlorp rooster, crazy

I enjoyed it. We just bought a bunch of chickens in August and September. We are trying to determine the run/coop areas We are currently using a dog kennel (10x10) with tarps around and a roof of tarp but want to do something better. I love your run. It must have cost a fortune for that hardware wire and those posts. We bought a couple rolls of hardware wire at Tractor Supply and it is very expensive for like 10 foot rolls.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes it wasn't cheap and yes the hardware cloth is stupid expensive.

So they get slivers/bumblefoot from the chips? I was thinking cedar mulch.

I like your ideas... I'm just learning I don't know what I'm going to do for my chicken... I only used wood shavings so far and mixed nothing on it so I don't know is it good or bad?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Wood shavings is good for inside the coop, but for the chicken run it would be better to have wood chips. Lasts longer.

Good stuff!!! I use chipped tree too. What is the music you used for the wood chip part?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

It's in the description, it's by Benjamin Thompson - Lullaby. Here's a link to it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZYCkq7GOnazTfKg.html

Arent you concerned they will get bumblefoot from splinters in the geet from the wood chips?

How big is this run??

Having the same problem this year in Fayetteville TX

hi Pete I was wondering what type of fork that your using is? looks very good at picking up woodchips

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

It's a ten tine bedding fork. Here's the link: www.homedepot.com/p/Ames-10-Tine-Welded-Bedding-Fork-2826300/204476209

Adding deep bed of my live oak leaves has helped mine. I'm waiting on a load of wood chips, but they say don't use cedar chips. Those are bad for chickens.

Just a thought. If you were to put a drain system in under ground in you chicken run. Would you get a type of chicken tee you make with the 5 gallon buckets? Thanks just a thought

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

The chicken tea is much more concentrated as far as nitrogen, but I plan on removing a few inches of the chicken run soil in a year or two and putting it in my garden beds.

Are wood shavings the same thing as mulch (that they sell at home depot/ Lowes)?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

No, wood shavings are not the same as mulch/wood chips.

The brace on the door should run in the opposite direction. Transferring the weight of the door to the hinged side.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

It is on the hinged side. Just look at the 2x4 brace and hinged side as a right triangle.

Hey Pete B. Where'd you get that 4 wheeled cart?? Really like it

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I put the link in the description under the video.

I have a question, I'm a new chicken owner I have 3. I was allowing them to run around the back yard sleep and lay eggs wherever now I have bought 2 coops the runs of course are very small and I put the coops together with the runs attaching together. Anyway my question is should I keep the chickens inside for awhile to get used to the coop or do I let them out a few hours a day. They used to lay eggs every day since I out them in the coop no eggs, I know they may be stressed so what do I do from here. Thank you any help from anyone would be great 😊.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Keep them in the coop for a while and they'll understand that, that is their home, then try letting them out and see if they come back to roost in the coop.

Thanks for the video I really need a chicken run but my land is wet and spongy. It rains a lot around my area and to top it off I have a little stream at the back of the house so the back yard is mostly spongy. This is a great idea you just showed up. My question is, how is the smell with the wood chip compare to the leaves?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

2 жыл бұрын

The wood chips will last much longer than leaves and there's really no smell as long as you put enough wood chips in there to keep them off the water.

How come you don't have a roof over your run? It would go a long way to keeping the bed nice and dry.

Nice 👍👍

@petebeasttexashomesteading

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

Pete being in Texas, do you have issues with ants, especially fire ants when using the wood chips? I am in GA, anytime I try something down ants take over and I have some silkies newly added to my flock. I am trying to keep their feet as dry as possible but their coop is on dirt because nothing so far hasn’t turned into an ant mound. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. I don’t have a roof on my run just shade fabric to d filter light and keep predators out. Thanks in advance

I'm here in East Texas and I've been having the same problem. Where do you find the wood chips? All I can find is the wood shavings?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Bailey Bark in Nacogdoches has lot of wood ships but can be expensive. www.baileybarkmaterials.com/nacogdoches-tx.html

🙋🏼‍♀️🕊. This is a tough one 🥴🍀. How about 🧐🧐putting some pallets in ther then some wood chips ?? Good luck 🍀👍 may your 🐓🐓chickens stay healthy 🍀🕊🍀🕊🍀🕊. You have sure been hammered. With bad weather down south! I have been following it .be safe🍀🕊🍀🕊

Great job! We are in the U.K. to prepare for the winter months we use our chipper to make small sized hardwood chippings that get laid around October, and with regular raking and the occasional hose down, the run stays really clean and it lasts right through to April/ May with no issues at all. Happy chickens!, they enjoy scratching around in it. All the bugs and worms still come up from the soil too. And I do put a poly roof on the run too. 9ft by 18 ft is a bit of work but so worth it. Good luck, hope this wet season is kinder to you! Ps. LOVE the swing perches, definitely going to make some of those.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 👍

It's been a while since you have done this, so how does it work out? What does it do press into the dirt & eventually need to be re done? Do they dry out after a rain?

@petebeasttexashomesteading

2 жыл бұрын

Woodchips works the best and will compost down and turn into dirt. Now the ground level is raised up and water trains off so there's no more mud after it rains.

I realize it's 4yrs later ...but try the horse stall pellet great for inside n out. Only $7 a bag. Doesn't take alot

Do your chickens get on the swings?

Add plastic curvy on top m Home Depot have those roof , light and last long too ,

How did this work long term… I’m down here in Fayetteville Texas having the same issue…

@petebeasttexashomesteading

Жыл бұрын

Woodchips are the best, they break down in time and keeps the chickens dry and off the mud.

What are the name and where do you purchase your rubber work boots you wear in your videos from? Thanks!

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

I got them at Walmart and believe it or not they are made in the USA. Here's the link. www.walmart.com/ip/Men-s-Waterproof-Boot/29273224

Why did you choose to leave the roof with a mesh roof rather than a solid roof? I’m planning to build a run and I’m waffling between the two. I’m in NW SC so we get a hot July and August and there’s also trees over the the area, so I’m not sure if shade and cleanliness is more important than sun exposure.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

9 ай бұрын

I built the coop and run to be in the shade during the mid day. It'll protect them from the harsh summer sun. I thought with a solid roof, it might be too dark and gloomy for them.

@CrystalAlifanow

9 ай бұрын

@@petebeasttexashomesteading thank you for your reply

Have your chickens ever used the chicken swings? Just wondering if its worth the trouble for me to add that to mine.

@petebeasttexashomesteading

5 жыл бұрын

Occasionally they do but more in the summer. I've tried to take a video of them on the swing but as soon as they see me, they jump off and run to me.

How about make the floor inside the coop higher than outside, then water will drain to the outside permanently. Then you could dig French drain around the coop to lead water away. This is how houses are built, always higher than street level, so rain water will drain to the street.

A better solution in my view would be to raise the structure away from the ground by putting it on two layers of breeze blocks. This would of course require you to put boards for a floor too.. Then, as others have suggested, put a roof on the coop to keep out the rain. Good luck with it all.

@aaronwilliamson4045

2 жыл бұрын

I am often thankful our lot is on a slope...No standing water, ever here in Raleigh, NC.. I'm from Charleston SC.. called the low country...so I'm familiar with wet boggy ground, glad I got out of that situation..