Chicken Coop Hacks For Every Backyard Chicken Owner!

[@Engwadur]

Its interesting me to see the price changes over the years, mostly due to covid. I remember chicks being a couple bucks and now they're almost $5. That coop now sells for over $400. I wish I'd found chicken raising sooner T.T thank you for the hack tips though. I think I'll do that feeder with my girls.

[@tladner100]

Love the feeder and waterers!

[@monicabrenay3618]

Easy fix for food is to keep the 4 inch pipe coming down close to their level then attach angle so they can put their head in some great videos on you tube to show what I mean I’ll try to find & attach in messages here

[@jmgren1]

I'm so glad I found your channel I just got my first two chickens and your videos have been the most helpful and most informative of all that I've watched and I have watched a lot

[@realsimplemama]

Yay! Thank you! ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@GrizzlyimGarten]

Thanks for the good idea to clean the chicken house of the excrements in such a way that the fine sand can be sifted with a slotted shovel. This indeed saves a lot of resources and money. The type of water and food supply is also quite well solved, although there are certainly more elegant ways of keeping the food dry. ;)

[@realsimplemama]

Oh yes. We are all about function over aesthetics!

[@azusenablanca84]

"They are cute i guess " i died with that lol Becuase my husband asked me why I want chickens , I told him exactly the same "they are cute "

[@realsimplemama]

Hey I mean there are worse things to spend my money on LIKE DRUGS HONEY so just let me get chickens mmmkay? 😆😆😆

[@lucasgassen5679]

This video is really helpful!

[@tammythe_hammy6811]

I have 3 chicks about 1 month old very helpful new subscriber

[@vforsejrv7801]

Glad to see that your hens are outside in the yard as well. Or the run would be way too small. Thanks😊👍🏻

[@realsimplemama]

Yes you are exactly right! The standard number is 10 square feet of space per bird.

[@bethydurbin6796]

Tryed to give thumbs up..wouldnt let me???!!

[@realsimplemama]

Oh no! I have no idea why. But I appreciate you anyway ❤️👍🏼

[@AJSchultz]

2017.10.14 1910h My favorite combination! (Those were [2011-2013] our first Chicken trio. "Yaco, Waco & Dot!")

[@nolashouse]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I have this same coop for five chickens in New Orleans, so we've got the same heat/hurricane issues and even more rain than y'all. Your hacks look really useful. Question - it looks like you've got the coop set on bricks/pavers right on the ground in your yard. Do you have any concerns about the bottom rail of the coop rotting? Ours came to us from a friend who nailed 2x4's around the bottom, but they are rotting now and the coop is warping quite a bit. Our yard is swampy AF at this time of year, so I'm working on a new foundation scheme. Maybe putting it up on cinderblocks all around? (Obvs have to hardware cloth everything.)

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! I’m glad you found me too! We originally did the brick thing just to help level everything out since our yard is really uneven. I think I’d be more concerned with rot if the coop was directly on the ground. I think cinderblocks is pretty ideal.

[@rosesmith6208]

200 for that is a good buy, need to get me one in case I want to rotate my chickens maybe make this one a winter coop and the bigger one the summer coop. or when we go on vacation that would be so worth it.

[@camrillem]

rose smith you could build a way bigger coop for 200 but for ease of use i guess its nice

[@intexas218]

Hi from South Texas.

[@realsimplemama]

Hey! This is the video that shows how to make those feeders you’d asked about. Did it make sense?

[@angeljaquez3230]

Thank you sooo much ! 🎗🦋😇🦋🎗

[@realsimplemama]

You are so welcome! Let me know what works and what suggestions you have! 👍🏼

[@colenehenley9454]

Water on seed is not dangerius, in fact fermented seed is better for them and they actually process it instead of pooping it back out. Thoughts?

[@realsimplemama]

I used to volunteer on a farm that used fermented seed but they fed it too much so the animals didn’t have a balanced diet. I think if it works for you, do it!

[@colenehenley9454]

@@realsimplemama I wonder how fermenting them takes away the balanced diet

[@realsimplemama]

Honestly in this case it was being overused. I did research on fermented barley and you can’t use it after so many days, and for animals like goats and sheep they also need other things in their diet. Basically this person got tax breaks since he was classified as a non-profit but he was getting free fermented barley from a local brewery and pocketing the money he was supposed to use for hay, produce, etc. Not a very good person.

[@colenehenley9454]

@@realsimplemama no I would agree he does not sound like a good person.

[@realsimplemama]

But I love that it’s recycling grains, and can have a lot of benefits! I just don’t have access to it around here. And I also think that farm got shut down - at least I hope!

[@ronaldbeasley4945]

Great information, we are fixing to inherit a couple of chickens here in the next few weeks from one of our granddaughters (they are moving). We also want to get a few more after that. We are in Calallen. May i ask what part of south texas are you guys? Will need tips.

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! I’m in San Antonio. Happy to help! [e-mail]

[@keithmartin2508]

Why don't you check out fermenting chicken food? It's not that bad.

[@realsimplemama]

Some people have had great luck with it. It might work for me too, but I’d have to do all the research first. I’m happy with my setup for now. ✌🏻❤️🐓

[@TheRealKirkHammett]

You can "predator proof" all you want, but if that chicken wire around the bottom is not secured to the ground, coyotes will pull it up and dig under it. Same with foxes. We had a fox, raccoon, opossum, or coyote literally chew through wood over night one time that murdered every bird in the coop. It was a crime scene.

[@realsimplemama]

I’m so sorry that happened to you. ✌🏼❤️🐓

[@missmix48]

Spell that stuff you use in that tray I couldn't understand what you said. PVC? PEC? PEZ? PVZ?

[@realsimplemama]

Hi there - it’s PDZ. Normally found in the equine section of a feed store and it’s quite affordable!

[@Ed19601]

The PDZ or 'barn lime' is mostly calcium carbonate

[@maggiefoote1784]

So you don't have wire net inside coop , just around the coop , right?

[@realsimplemama]

If I understand you correctly, right! Just in the outside edges.

[@philiphopkins9605]

I have been looking for a chicken coop for a while and found nothing good. I have seen your other video. I've looked at that coop before but saw bad reviews on it. I really like your water and food ideas. Clever. I think your other video changed my mind about this chicken coop.

[@realsimplemama]

Oh wow! Well it certainly isn’t perfect, but for the price and the convenience I’m very happy. This coop is the popular one with all my local chicken buddies too! Did you see my “One Year Later” video? You can see more advice for this same coop. And I’m always here to help!

[@tammykroll5645]

What is that sand called you use in house? Thanks for telling about grazing boxes.

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! The stuff that I use under the roost is called PDZ, it is a stall refresher that you usually find in the equine or horse section. They make another kind that is branded for chicken coops but honestly in my opinion it is way too fine of a powder and it is more expensive for the smaller package. I like the bigger (cough cough cheaper) granules better! About $15 for a big bag.

[@tammykroll5645]

@@realsimplemama thank you

[@tammykroll5645]

@@realsimplemama oh and you just give yours crumbs? I changed over to pellets but, they are not eating it. No scratch?

[@realsimplemama]

I never do scratch 👍🏼 i’m sure they would love it but for me it has absolutely no nutritional value so I don’t want to spend money on it. I have done crumble and pellets but I feel like a lot of crumble gets wasted because it gets pulverized into dust so I like pellets better. They do get a protein treat almost once a day, either grub Tara black soldier fly larva or black oil sunflower seeds, if it’s chillier I make them a spicy oatmeal, they also get plain Greek yogurt and some other things on occasion.

[@tammykroll5645]

@@realsimplemama i called my feed store to see if they carry pdz for horses they said could be dangerous by itself with out savings if they eat it.

[@deaddreamnation]

hey can you tell me what the "pvz" sp? is or where you get it? i tried to google it, but nothing comes up. Thanks and great videos btw. We just moved from the country where we built our own coop, but need something smaller for our new neighborhood and yall look like you're doing right. how's this coop holding up so far? I'm about to pull the trigger before the spring chicks start showing up and i like the price point and size of this one.

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! It’s “PDZ” and you can buy online or get at any feed store/Tractor Supply. It’s usually found in the equine section and is quite affordable. The coop continues to do well! Just a bit of warping from a crazy hurricane season but no regrets on the purchase! Thanks for watching and let me know how else I can help!

[@marbarnes7063]

At 2:23, you say you spray that area down. what do you spray and why?

[@realsimplemama]

+Mar Barnes hi! Honestly just with water. When it’s hot that shaded area is where they chill, and they like to drink water dripping off of those branches. Sorry I didn’t clarify in the video!

[@Jnguyn]

Did you get the model of the coop from the store? I have been trying to get a better coop, because predators have been trying to get our chickens and sadly they did.

[@realsimplemama]

Hi! Yes this is a kit from Tractor Supply. It was about $200. We did reinforce it like I show in the video with more chicken wire around the bottom perimeter but overall we love the coop. You can see my full review at realsimplemama.com/review-innovation-pet-deluxe-chicken-coop/ Good luck and I'm so sorry about your feather babies!

[@Jnguyn]

real simple mama Thank you so much! 💕

[@rupertohernandez9712]

this coop was around $200 ?? can you tell us the model and place where u bought it. ??

[@realsimplemama]

+Ruperto Hernandez i say it in the video and in the review on my website - Innovation Pet brand, from Tractor Supply Co. Hope this helps!

[@PatriciaCarpenter]

What did you water proof it with?????😳

[@michaeldamico4583]

I will be suprised if mine lasts more then 1 year. Lot of wood splintering. Lot of things dont line up. Some pieces broken. Good for a intro to chickens. But once you get your feet wet, might aswell build your own. Because this ones is a box of turds

[@realsimplemama]

Oh man I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve heard of a few people who had a goofy/faulty one, or that was damaged in shipping or something.

[@anneberne2660]

What did you use for sealant?

[@realsimplemama]

We don't still have the can but we basically went to Lowe's and explained what we needed. The employee directed my husband to what they had. It's super cheap! I'll see if Hubby remembers what it's called.

[@xitshxbax8049]

What coop is this

[@realsimplemama]

This is the older model of the Innovation Pet Kit.

[@xitshxbax8049]

Is there a link for it?

[@xitshxbax8049]

Or a website

[@realsimplemama]

Hmmm this model is probably 3 years old. I bought it off of Tractor Supply so I’d look there or just google Innovation Pet.

[@realsimplemama]

I mean to clarify that they have a newer model which looks similar to this so I bet you can find that one.

[@PatricesProjects]

Love your chickens. I had a chicken as a child and she would hang out with us when we were outside. Subbed your channel. I have a channel as well. Please check it out and sub back.

[@realsimplemama]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@camrillem]

Guess ill start selling chicken coops

[@Celicagamer]

camrillem only if you get free materials. $200 is easily half the cost of all those materials if you buy them retail not to mention the hours you’ll spend putting it together.

[@camrillem]

Celicagamer mind your own damn business woman

[@h9h945]

food that has water in it is not bad for them

[@realsimplemama]

You’re right as long as it hasn’t molded. That’s always been a paranoia of mine! But lots of chicken owners wet the food and the chickens love it! You just have to keep everything fresh and clean 👍🏼

[@h9h945]

real simple mama that’s what chicken farmers do to save on cost of feeding them

[@rocky31186]

Hey I uploaded a video of my coop for you to check out.

[@ZWATER1]

👍ty

[@palehorse5275]

LOL no treats? Shame on you.