To those that don’t believe chickens are not meat eaters: I watched my Rhode Island red chase down a mouse and swallow it whole. I did not believe what I saw until I saw my Leghorn do the same thing with half the flock in pursuit. Remember the dinosaurs!

@norman-gregory

2 жыл бұрын

Chickens and mouse is theTruth. The Dinosaurs are a Fiction. Just like a moving Earth and Planets. Have a great day.

@buttnugget2061

2 жыл бұрын

Mine had a tug of war over a shrew that the cat had caught and left on the patio 🤣

@dalepetrush4121

Жыл бұрын

Chicken are preditors. Throw them a snake and watch the fun.

Here in Alaska all my meat chickens are harvested and in the freezer by October. The laying hens do just fine in the mobile hen house with hay and straw on the floor with a cracked corn and oat feed. I grow sunflowers in the summer and hang them from the rafters just out of their reach. the hens need to jump up to peck a seed. I like to think it helps to keep them moving and from freezing, but they still do just fine in winter without. To calk like you suggested is silly. My hens would try to eat it thinking it's a grub.

@havnfun5

Жыл бұрын

Do you put a heat lamp or anything?

Becky, this was a great video! I like in the beginning how you explained that where YOU are, it doesn't get very cold! How you don't have to put down pine flakes or straw. Your explanations on ways to STOP the wind and rain from getting into the chicken house! How you told us that your cooperation WASN'T what a person needed in a COLD climate!! I've learned so much from you on how to use DE on all the animal ! Thank you!!

Becky, your information is priceless. Thank you. My mother raised 200 or more chickens on the farm. She sold eggs. I wish I could ask her so many questions now that I am starting to raise a small flock for personal enjoyment here in the Midwest where the winters are cold. We have a well insulated coop with interchangeable summer and winter doors with some small vents in the walls. My hubby built it and it’s fabulous. Thank you for all of your information. You don’t leave out any details and I appreciate that.

Hi Becky, thank you so much for all the info you provide. I have 5 chickens and 1 rooster for the first time in my life and you have so helped me to keep them healthy & happy. You're the best! Thanks again, Maggi from North Florida.

Our hen house is not wind proof at all. We live in n.w. Missouri and temps get down in the negatives. We have never lost a chicken from exposure in the last 5 years . Chickens are tough birds. One thing we do or not do is clean out the coop during winter. We just add fresh hay when needed.

Hello from TN! The moisture in the air is a real problem here in TN. We are humid here. It rains, a LOT! With that comes freezing in winter! The bedding can be thick, which is great, but, unlike others, we can't/shouldn't leave pine chips or straw on the floor to compost!! As someone said, MOLD will develop! Then it will cause diseases. I clean my chicken house once a week. I put linoleum on the floor of my chicken house to make it easier to shovel out! You can compost all of the pine chips and manure for your blueberries or anything that needs acid soil. I sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (DE) everywhere (wear a mask)!! Make sure to clean your nesting boxes! Sprinkle them with DE too! Them put down the chips or straw. Scrub out the watering system too! Add a little Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to their water. It's good for them.

I have chickens in very cold weather two things I can suggest if you have 45 F - 0 F degrees. 1. Collect old shipping crates and lay them on the floor of coop. Then wood chips on areas without crate. 2. Insulate the side walls and them close up with raw wood like a log cabin. 3. If it gets really really cold (my coop has electric) I switch the regular bulb with a heat bulb. Happy Winter Chicks!

@tristianzane1010

2 жыл бұрын

instablaster

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom! Our chickens arrive in June and thanks to you we feel better prepared!

I live in NE Ohio and would never use wood shavings on the coop floor!! I use 2 bales of straw for deep floor bedding. Straw will not stay wet whereas wood shavings will stay wet and freeze. Also I free feed both oyster shell & grit. The oyster shell helps prevent soft shell eggs. A coop needs ventilation to stay dry so I would never seal it up as you suggest! I actually have a vent in the roof!! There's a big difference in caring for & raising farm chickens vs. having some chickens in the backyard in a prefab coop.

@westcoaster3763

Жыл бұрын

I use shavings and they stay dry, and in one of the wettest parts of the country. I think the key is using a Lot of shavings

@noelabourgoin4561

Жыл бұрын

And a little note about that cat food that's high and protein you don't want to overprotein your chickens their grain should have enough in it.

@westcoaster3763

Жыл бұрын

@Noela Bourgoin my neighbor had a deer get hit on the road, them chickens were all over it like ants on candy..... they ate it until there wasn't a thing left but hide, hair and bones. You should have went down and had a talk with them about protein and grains

Thank you for sharing all you know! I have always wanted chickens although I've never been around them much & I live in Michigan. I have enjoyed learning more with you! Thank you!

I love your chicken videos, the best! I am a chicken lady now...23 girls...more in the spring...Love your channel, Becky! Thanks for all you do...in MN: cold and snowy winters....my hubby built a "mansion" for my girls! and a covered run for winter months....it's awesome.....have an awesome day out there! :) Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Becky...you are my inspiration for my proyect

Never seal up your coup the chickens breath creates moisture and collects on the waddles and combs and they can get frost bite air flow is needed to prevent this

@laceybrown6954

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly!!!

@dontputmeinabox7250

3 жыл бұрын

I think she means to seal up drafts but she should definitely hit up on venting because it is imperative.

@johnquest1044

3 жыл бұрын

Right! She seems very nice, but there from Florida.

@iloveschicken6527

3 жыл бұрын

We just insulate the north wall and have a small window on the west and east side near top of coop that we can open and close. Lots of thick bedding! I prefer hemp and wood chips in winter.

@chrisscharfenberger6007

3 жыл бұрын

She's got a good channel but I can't take winter weather advice from somebody that lives in Florida. The coop has to breath.

You look great! I buy feeder mice and fish from the pet store. I keep a my own meal worm farm in my garage. This helps during cold weather. I just love your videos, they have helped me learn so much.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I can help❤️❤️

Thank you for the tips Becky.

@anthonyjack98

2 жыл бұрын

Hi hope you're OK with the experience

Thank you for this great information. I am just staring out and I am learning so much from watching your channel. I am in the process of buying my land. Praying I get this land I am trying to buy. Chickens will my first project to start with. I am in a cold climate so this is a very educational video for me. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

I'm not interested in chickens but watch because I like you ...you are so adorable😍

@xitshxbax8049

4 жыл бұрын

Lol somone is looking for a girlfriend 😂

@xitshxbax8049

4 жыл бұрын

No offense just for fun

Thanks so much for the tips Becky

Merry, merry, merry Christmas to you Ms. Becky and your family.

I have a insulated heated coop, it stays about 40 to 45 degrees. The water has a heater, so it doesn't freeze I use the chips and hay. I also feed them warm water with oatmeal and berries, they love it.

Really enjoy your videos ,they are informative and very upbeat .

Hi Becky. You forgot to mention ventilation in sheds/coops. I would recommend ventilation on upper/ middle and lower level due to respiratory tract infections chickens have during cold spells. Chickens in cold climates need an undercover area outside their coop/shed.. Your advice about food is good. My girls have lots of different kind of food for their tea. They are laying well :) Plenty of 🌽. Grit is SO important ! My girls eat this everyday.. Thanks for taking time to share. Could you please do a video about chicken enrichment toys, IE Ladders, tunnels, etc. Many thanks Amanda Cribb

@PinkieJoJo

2 жыл бұрын

I know this is old but yes. I’ve watched numerous videos from people that actually live in cold climates and having vents at the top are always recommended.

@brazilianstyle4645

2 жыл бұрын

Her's dont need ventilation because the bottom of the coop is wide open and no front wall this lady is crazy her coop is super dirty.

@louisacapell

Жыл бұрын

​@@brazilianstyle4645 you... You think this is a dirty coop???

I use alfalfa for our chickens. They have fun peckimg at it first few days. Then they make a mess out of it, whatever alfalfa I put for them to lay on they end up kicking it to the ground. I am gonna try laying down the alfalfa thicker. Thank you for all the useful tips!

Hi coming from the cold Canadian North I add a heat lamp helps during those snowed in days

Thank you,very good information, im new with chickens and still learning!!

Becky your the best .thanks for all the tips for country living with chickens

Becky I love your teachings😍

Great info as always Becky thanks!

Just wanted to stop by and wish You and all the kids a Very Merry Christmas 🎄 🐔🐣🐮🐽🐓

$23?! I’ve got em for $3 off the field here. We get -30 temps here in the NH mountains. I have a small flock. I build them a coop with a floor the size of a piece of plywood and have it raised about 3 feet off the ground. Sealed up good like you said. They’ve seen 3 winters so far.

Me encanta todos tus consejos!!! Muchas gracias por ayudarme a cuidado de mis gallinas!!😊

So excellent. Thank You!

Always enjoyed your simple but educational lessons all the way from Gweru City Zimbabwe!!

I was told it is easy to have chickens. OMG. That was so wrong! They are so high maintenance! Thank you for all of the information you share, I bought your book and managed to keep nine beautiful 2-3 day old chicks alive for two months now. They are now outside in their fortress. LOL. (We have large predators, so we secured the run well. My daughter says they live in a fortress). We love our girls, but we spent way too much money on them than we thought we would. They eat a lot more than I thought they would. I gave them table scraps yesterday and they barely touched it. They are hugely messy, pooping in their food and water, which I clean daily. They run from me as if they fear I will kill them. I don’t understand why they are afraid of me. We have two coops in the run because each coop only holds six chickens, yet all nine girls bed down in one coop every night. I don’t understand those beautiful girls. They are entertaining and cute. I love them and would be devastated if anything happened to any of them. But we have spent more time and money on them than we ever thought we would and we get no love in return. 😀🤷‍♀️

@cecilitaf

Жыл бұрын

Yep, sounds about right 🤣🤣🤣. You do get some love in return, their eggs....

@patriciajohnsonson8639

Жыл бұрын

@@cecilitaf Yes Cici, we do get their eggs and they gave us many until the weather got cooler and the daylight shortened. One of our beautiful girls died when I reintroduced a chicken I had given away due to being egg bound. I took her back into the flock. Three girls got some flu and one died before we got them to a vet that took care of chickens. The other two, thankfully survived. I was devastated that we lost the one. We now have eight girls. Two are still separated from the rest of the flock but will be reintroduced in about a week. All eight are very healthy now. I sure am learning a lot about chickens though. And the flock runs to me now when they see me, so I am feeling the love. 😆

@patriciajohnsonson8639

Жыл бұрын

@@user-yf2iv1rt7l Thank you for all of the information you shared. We have had our chickens for just about nine months now. Three or four of the girls will now squat and let me pet them. The others won’t. I have three of each, buff Orpingtons, black australorps and barred rocks. I am actually down to two black Australorps because one died of a flu. We were able to save two others that came down with the flu. It was so sad to lose our Bailey, but it is what it is. We have a Cozy Coop heater and a electric warming water dish. My biggest concern now is the cold front coming in bringing 50-60 mile an hour wind gusts and potential -30 degree temperatures. I don’t know what to do about the girls. Their ‘fortress’ is wrapped with plastic sheeting. Even the door. We are hoping they will be ok. We live in Illinois and it is going to get extremely cold and windy here. Thank you again for all of your information.

@patriciajohnsonson8639

Жыл бұрын

@@user-yf2iv1rt7l Thank you!

Also corn takes a longer time to digest keeping them warmer at night. Agape love ❤😊

Thanks So Much for the AWESOME VIDEOS and DETAILED INFORMATION 🎯💝🎉

We just had to remove all hay bedding, *warning* MOLD! Those of us who have had one of the rainiest falls I can recall up north need to be aware and remove moldy hay from coops. Stick to your idea of thick kiln dried pine shavings of very low dust quality. Even our straw has had a mold issue! Cold wet and mold will kill!!

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Mold is not good for any animal or person. I'm hopping people are not over crowding their coops which I always say is the number one problem. Every living thing gives off moisture with every breath they exhale. So you can see how an over crowded weather tight coop would get sticky and moldy in there. Always open the hen house door for a couple hours each afternoon. ☀️❤️☀️

I’m always looking forward your videos 🥰

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I'm glad you like them☀️❤️☀️

Good video going through cold weather now and freaking out over my chickens thanks I will get meat also other foods today

Becky my uncle was one of the first in Florida to custom bake hay in the central area. This happened eighty or ninety years ago.

Becky great video as always. You ever deal with chickens getting ascites and if so what do you do? Thank you

Love your videos!

I read your book loved it

@BeckysHomestead

8 ай бұрын

Thanks you, I’m glad you like it☀️❤️☀️

You are so intelligent, thanks you for all the cool info.

Love your videos thank you 🙏🏼

Hi dear! 👏👏👏 love! Merry Chistrimas!! 🎅

Merry Christmas to you!

How many times per week would you feed the protein like tin fish cat/dog food etc?

Thank you so much telling me about chicken I have crack corn. And one of my chicken making egg a lot in the winter.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Whole corn is better but don't waste what you have, use it up then try the whole corn next time☀️❤️☀️

@angelayoung6616

5 жыл бұрын

I got them real corn but now they are so much price

@bushveldkid7640

3 жыл бұрын

Farmfeed stores just outside of the city is the best place to buy food. I could not believe how much cheaper. I paid $12.11 for 50 pounds of non gmo barley. I am using it to sprout and they love that.

I don't live up north anymore but I'm not sure I would caulk all the cracks and spaces. When winter is over and the summer humidity arrives, their hen house will roast them. I would think some sort of temporary barrier like a tarp or bales of hay stacked up like a wall. But be sure to leave some sort of ventilation up at the top? I like that you give them options of the type of surface they want to roost on. Some like a flatter surface, others like to wrap their toes around a round roost

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

In the summer open the doors, and if the coop in under a big shade tree with dark shade it will be fine☀️❤️☀️

Excellent video!

I’m in Northern California in the valley and it gets so hot here we don’t even have a true winter so fortunately winter isn’t too hard...but summer 😩😩😩 I’ve lost two chickens to heat and they had water and shade

I love the rooster. He is so elegant.

i just love your videos

I love your video thank you so much 💓

Hi Becky! I love your videos! I would like to recommend to all your followers in rhe colder climates, that when your chickens are spending more time indoors, its a good idea to find good quality pine shavings that are "cleaned" of most of the dust. Even my horses had breathing issues with regular pine bedding if they were in during the winter. I used Guardian bedding, but there are several other brands available also. This is also really important when you have baby chicks on bedding as well.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

All animals should be able to go outside if the want to. Nothing wants to be locked in a little "room"☀️❤️☀️

@brendasmith5937

5 жыл бұрын

@@BeckysHomestead absolutely! My horses were someones show horses before I bought them. They were kept inside all the time. I noticed a huge difference in their health once they were able to spend the majority of their time outside. But good bedding is an issue for your animals when they are inside.

@kidsplayrabbitry4930

5 жыл бұрын

I think your talking about the kiln dried shavings. We now only use Irving horse pine shavings for this reason. Plus they are less likely to be moist. Had a problem with the basic Tractor Supply brand so now stock up on Irving. Smaller lighter packs down kiln dried! Lasts longer. Moisture is a problem this fall in New England, too much rain!!!

@brendasmith5937

5 жыл бұрын

@@kidsplayrabbitry4930 yup. Which are fine once they are washed and screened for dust removal. We have several brands avaialable like that now. I use Guardian.

Very informative. Thank you so much 😊

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Your welcome☀️❤️☀️

Can I be one of your hens? :)))) So loved and well cared for! Thank you Becky!

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha☀️❤️☀️

Air Flow is needed for frost bite, your nice I appreciate you. But you live in Florida???

Hi Becky, you look great. What are your thoughts on Cinnamon Queens? Temperament and ease of raising? Thank you.

Becky your awesome with chickens

Tuna is a HUGE attractant for Skunks, if you have them in your area so be careful with leaving it sitting around or over feeding with it, if you use it at all. You can use meal worms to give them winter time protein too.

@desprado3663

2 жыл бұрын

Chickens don't require a lot of meat protein.... I freeze a ball of hamburger meat about 4 inches dia depends how many chickens how many balls and they get them frozen they only get a tiny amount at a time peck and chace = exercise 1 ball about 8 to 10 birds once every 2 wks

Check your bag of chips. The last 2 bags I bought had paint on the chips.

This was really good

Gr8 info,Merry Christmas,tfs

@anthonyjack98

2 жыл бұрын

Hello there hope your having a good time today

This.really helped th that you are a great person

Quick question Becky, the tuna/sardine tins you mentioned... are they the tuna in brine or oil?

Great information 👍🥚

With the tuna do you get the one that’s in oil ,for extra fat or the tuna in brine ?

Hi! Another video of yours I enjoyed. U r in FL??? I thought u lived in CA?

u seem like u r such a sweet person would love to meet u but I no that won't happen .just wanted to say that to u and thanks for your time u put in your videos ,so people can learn .God bless u and your family.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much☀️❤️☀️

Becky, what part of Florida do you live in? I'm in Jacksonville, 13 miles from Jacks Beach. I'd be interested in some land out in the area of Fort White it's more farm land out there. I have learned so much over the past years watching you on homesteading, animal care etc. You have showed that we women can be successful in this. thank you. Ginny from Jacksonville Florida.

Never seen it done before but would mulch hurt chickens? It comes undyed and untreated. It actually produces heat

I live in Ohio where it can easily reach -10 degrees or colder. Should I keep a heat lamp going in the hen house when it's bitter cold like that?

Is fresh sardines good for chicken or packed sardines? Which one is better?

I love your videos❤️❤️❤️

Good information TY

Where in FL are you located? I'm a Florida Native and I'm looking for new property at the moment and having the hardest time finding acreage.

Hi nice video plz advice me hen is ill she is not eating n drinking perfectly what to give her for recovery and better Growth of her!

Hi Becky, I live your videos. You say you will leave a link to something you have said but I can never find the links. Thank you so much. Sharon

@alabamathrifter365

4 жыл бұрын

sharon potter Hi Sharon! To get to the links you mentioned look under the video and you will see the title of the video. Now look to the right of the title and you will see a small black triangle. Click on that triangle and watch it when you click on it. You will notice the triangle will flip over. Now, simply scroll down little and you will see the links you are looking for. Same for any you tube video. The links will be blue and you click on the blue link to go to that particular link. Easy Peasy, I hope this helps you and others out. I just subscribed to Becky a few days ago and saw your question. Take care ..... Rick

I had no idea how complicated it is to keep chickens healthy! O M G.

You are Good!!!!!!!!! I don't have any but your video just came up and I watched it all. So awesome!!! I bought land and building a house I want some chickens. It looks like a lot of work but I will do it. I live in Houston Texas so it gets a little cold now then the days warm up. Love you channel and sub you too...

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Welcome❤️

@anthonyjack98

2 жыл бұрын

Hello how are you doing today hope you're having a blessed day

@lindakrause8793

2 жыл бұрын

Hi neighbor! I live in deep east TX, on Sam Rayburn Lake, in a country setting without too much land. I am just beside myself wanting to get some chickens!!! I have cancer and am bedridden so there is no way that I can! I am not sure I am going to make it but if I do, I am definitely going to get two chickens and have so much fun!!! And yes, I know there is also a lot of work involved. 😊

I buy the no sodium tuna and they LOVE shrimp!

Merry Christmas to you and your family Becky! From; Aka 1BIGGUN🎅🎅🎅😎

chickens in general are very hardy and been bred many years to help them in that....My game birds roost in trees over barn and never lost one.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

Chicken poo builds up under the roosting tree and can kill the tree. I have had it happen more than once. ☀️❤️☀️

@CountrySing

5 жыл бұрын

@@BeckysHomestead Who said you just let it build? lol My birds naturally move to different trees also often,so to avoid detection,but I should had noted I have english game/barnyard banty crosses. :) Some Heavy breeds made by man are poor flyers and would need a hen house ideally. Some of all this depends on breeds I guess. :)

Everything you mentioned in your video is right in target. You are spook right!!! And although we do live down here in Florida Be my iv e realized we too have some very cold nights. So I'm going put with a calling gun to fill in the drafty cracks today and maybe put extra pine shavings down cuz my thermometer was reading34 degrees this morning.....sunday...also Becky I went Rural king and saw a chicken coop heater . It looks like a flat screen tv. And it like heats up but there's no like red hot element that has to get super hot to heat the area..and there is just no chance of fire as there is with heat lamp bulbs or a regular little space heater....its a very nice and safe way to warm your coop.....Maybe you should check it out and do a video on this type of coop warming so everyone can see and learn about them. Their Awesome!!!!! Thanks for all your vids I love watching!!! LINDA IN FLORIDA

@caroldorsett8170

5 жыл бұрын

Linda Hilger it is a sweeter Heater found on Amazon I have one in each of my coops. It is cold here in Colorado often below zero these heaters are safe and take the chill off the coop even in very very cold weather, and can’t burn the chickens.

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

I personally don't heat my coop even if it drops down to the teens on occasion here in FL. My chickens grow in big fluffy winter "coats" If I lived in a place where it stayed cold for days on end Imight try one. They sound great. ☀️❤️☀️

love your chicken tips

Clean crushed egg shells. Free and a good calcium source for us too. Many of us are allergic to seafood. And its expensive. Food for thought 😊❤

@BeckysHomestead

6 ай бұрын

Egg shells are a closed loop! Where does the new calcium get added to the diet?? You need to add calcium☀️❤️☀️

But they also need ventilation or moisture builds up and u shouldnt keep them locked up in the coop, but rather open the coop door and let them pick whether they want to go outside or in

I put in my coop is suet.they love it.

@anthonyjack98

2 жыл бұрын

Hello how are you doing?

Hello Becky! I Love your videos and Merry christmas! Can you feed your chicken worms, and bugs and stuff like that during winter as meat?

@BeckysHomestead

5 жыл бұрын

If you can find worms and bugs during winter, they would love them☀️❤️☀️

My chickens love dog food, dry and canned. They love the stuff! I use really good feed, but they still prefer my dogs food lol. I have healthy girls with beautiful eggs.

@theurbanthirdhomestead

Жыл бұрын

Mine get beef cat food. They love it! 😍

Huahu. You look Great. I have being following your videos, and notice that your loosing weight. JeKeepep the good work. I love your videos.

Hey Becky, how many chickens do you have?

Can one out a tarp over the coop and secure it down I stead of filling any opening of the coop? This way it can just be removed?

@melissag8270

4 жыл бұрын

Fabulous Princess yes that’s what I do, we get to about 32 F so just before freezing and it works good

I have sand in my coop floor.. wander if I can use the bale of alfalfa

Becky, just wondering how many chickens you have?

Don't forget the mealworms.

@scarlettrubyrose

5 жыл бұрын

Random fact feeding meal worms to chickens in the uk is illegal lol

@jennyolovsson7254

5 жыл бұрын

@@scarlettrubyrose why?

@scarlettrubyrose

5 жыл бұрын

@@jennyolovsson7254 It was mentioned on another video by a uk youtuber. "In 2014 Defra announced a ban on the feeding of mealworms to chickens. The ban is still not widely known by many poultry keepers. ... To put it simply most mealworms are imported and may have come into contact with, or been fed, animal protein which could then potentially pass on disease." If you want to read more visit Defra. Defra describes specific legislation, regulations and guidance for poultry keepers in the Uk

@Iz0pen

4 жыл бұрын

scarlettrubyrose yeah the EU is trying to cull the human population with UN agenda 21 with regulations

@tamimtimimi2347

3 жыл бұрын

Scarlett, do you like some one taken you from home and feeding you too tigers, Know la me till you the true religious facts about mealwarms it goes like that, 1 meal worms has very important benefit on the environment, and gad created them just like animals have soul, There for we should not kill them, killing them how ever by feeding them too chicken such as, count as toucher, and spirtuly das have side effect sometimes on humen,

My chickens love tuna too!