Chickens enjoy compost ALL winter!

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Happy growing!

[@Smith.S.E.]

Look at the steam, those chickens are getting a nice sauna. Time to add an extention past that unused door with a raised bed to take advantage of all that heat for winterization experiments, early starting, etc.

[@edibleacres]

Yep... We really need to figure out how to pull a fair bit of the excess heat out of this system and into other areas...

[@jonringer117]

I think the beautiful thing about this is that if you roughly know what you are looking for, you can always wait for the opportunity to present itself. When you're ready for the opportunity, then you can really maximize its effect. Also love the open sharing of notes as your system progresses. Lots of vicarious lessons learned for myself and others.

[@edibleacres]

Great point... Yes, keeping a good running list of wants/needs in your mind helps things line up quite a bit!

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

Excellent display of using everything on hand to make what is needed. This is a wonderful flow of material from bedding to compost to chicken to soil to food. And you are letting the chickens be chickens and reducing your labor. Super skills and planning!

[@edibleacres]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@onlyintime9914]

👍I like the pallets on compost with milk and water on top for chickens... Keeps it from freezing in the winter

[@edibleacres]

It is neat how well it works

[@hugshoney3409]

It is so awesome to see man and birds working together. The sound of the working birds is just so relaxing and mesmerizing. ❤️

[@neillawson2578]

Always impressed by your chicken composting methods. Your community connections for free resources are awesome. How often and in what amount do you add your seeds from the mill and/or spent grain? You have such happy chickens. :)

[@edibleacres]

We add roughly a half bucket of seeds almost every day...

[@illanaisme]

I love listening to the chicken "chatter"

[@cindyjones520]

Thank you for sharing the girls enjoying their Winter Spa ☺

[@joannc147]

You amaze me! Love the way you move organic matter around which encourages composting heat and sprouting seeds. ❤ I have SO much to learn! Meanwhile- I have a 1/2 acre of leaves and a nice 4cu yard pile of arborist chips on the driveway. Sigh. I need to do some moving and combining for my girls.🐓🐓🐓 Thanks for some incentive 👍🏻

[@edibleacres]

You can do it!

[@CharlesGann1]

Love your upgrade! Your cattle panel was great but looking forward to this reveal.

[@edibleacres]

We appreciated what the cattle panel offered but it was just WAY too small for our setup...

[@ChefIsaac925]

I have a food truck with lists of food scraps and you just inspired me to do this on a smaller scale, I have started with me 6 chickens and just ordered 20 more! This is awesome bro!!

[@edibleacres]

You are in the perfect position to do a project like this, yay!

[@dickdavidson3616]

A perfect win win non grain fed system that can thrive through a cold climate winter, and for Ten bucks ! Inspiring!

[@kristilisakleiner9384]

What a win win win situation and happy warm chickens 🐓!

[@kikibeaumont1139]

Really creative and clever. I always look forward to your winter projects!

[@edibleacres]

Thats great because that is when we have time to share more anyway!

[@briangrantackert1732]

Winter rules!

[@CharlesGann1]

Love the reinforcment and the steaming beds are alway impressive. Trying to work toward getting a version for mygrandchildren hens. Any details on flow,build,or grain is always great.

[@edibleacres]

We plan to make a video on how the system gets added to and moved along soon...

[@swb8883]

So informative...so helpful...thank you for sharing Sean .

[@barebones5884]

I love the way you repurpose stuff

[@dabprod]

Those are some very happy hens. I love your set up. Wish I could have something like that here but smaller operation. Great video.

[@edibleacres]

Glad you enjoyed

[@medacredland3461]

These chickens live in luxury and do so much in return by just being chickens. Solstice greetings.

[@CharlesGann1]

LOL used that plastic door technique last week w howling winds. Very glad to see a likeminded adoptee!

[@edibleacres]

Simple can be good :)

[@hhwippedcream]

Nice! Will try the wire webwork on our windward plastic now, Thanks for sharing!

[@hhwippedcream]

Chicken sauna!

[@DK6060]

Nice to see how well the new run is working. Are you still adding biochar to the compost? I haven’t heard it mentioned in a while.

[@jameskniskern2261]

I'm sure as he produces more, heating his house while producing it in their wood stove, it will go out into the compost... ;)

[@edibleacres]

We add quite a bit. We make a few sessions in our wood stove every day so now we can add probably 5 gallons of crushed char every few days.

[@marycampbell4160]

Awesome thanks for sharing

[@Mamaculture]

Wow, love this upcycle! The snow just beat up my "greenhouse", been trying to figure out how to strengthen min and keep the plastic from getting overloaded with snow. I'd love a video showing how you did the reinforcements with the locust wood Nd the webbed wire, looks like it's holding up well! You just drilled a hole in the pieces of wood and twined a wire through them and over the metal rod? Twisty tied the ends? This gives me hope I can eventually feel comfortable having chickens 9n our property again

[@edibleacres]

We just drilled a hole just large enough to let 14gauge wire through, fed the wire through and around the wood, then used wide pliers to grab the two ends and twist them until they really 'bite' down on the wood. Pretty darn easy

[@kerem7546]

I'm wondering if a poly hoop house could be used as a chicken house/coop year round if it was adequately fortified against predators. thoughts?

[@CharlesGann1]

In my area i use a hoop house with a predator proof smaller plywood house inside. It also serves as the laying area. I lost a number of chickens prior to the internal strong house. Only once since on a 1/8 inch plywood box did a large racoon tear in. The 1/4 inch or thicker plywood has not been breached after 7 years.

[@slaplapdog]

I built a chicken greenhouse with plastic sheet over wire fencing . Hardware cloth is small enough to keep raccoon paws out so that went on the bottom two feet, the rest was a hodge podge of different fencing. Worked great, I used deep bedding so there were no noxious odors but code enforcement got me on a technicality , so I had to the hens out.

[@kerem7546]

@@CharlesGann1 cool idea!

[@kerem7546]

@@slaplapdog how cold do your winters get? I'm in southern Appalachia and we rarely get into the teens, usually pretty warm

[@trumpetingangel]

My four chickens eat pellets supplements by food scraps. Their winter breakfast is pellets soaked in hot water - morning porridge! As you might imagine, this is a huge hit! Grains and seeds daily as well. Moving to a new place with more space and I'm thinking of making chicken compost in earnest (with more hens) - always, always need more compost!

[@edibleacres]

Sounds like you have been developing a really nice system here, kudos and thank you for being kind and considerate to the animals! Hope the new and larger space expands in wonderful ways!

[@trevorsussey9369]

The hens seem happy too. Lots of good ideas here, the stacking of compost-walled off the way you have it seems to make the layout efficient and helps to warm the structure. How many hens do you have?

[@edibleacres]

Somewhere around 80-90 at this point, we don't keep close count :)

[@cpm199]

Those look like some happy chickens! 😊 I bet they have some great looking eggs. Do you have a video explaining your the daily food and drink requirements for y'all? I figured water is all they would need to drink...

[@edibleacres]

We make sure they always have thawed clean water available, and then offer milk when we can get it easily form a local dairy. Food is shown in this video and many others.. Fair bit of work but worth it overall...

[@mnj5089]

Genius!!

[@Boulder_Bill]

Considering how warm it stays in the winter, have you thought about putting a couple of hanging baskets along the sides to grow some plants in the winter?

[@debbiewood7718]

I was just thinking the same thing. I hope you will do some experiments Sean.

[@edibleacres]

I like the concept but I'd shy away from adding any more weight to the roof sections...

[@barrypetejr5655]

Chicken Buffett at the end awesome ☺️

[@carlvanmeerbeek7327]

I have a bit of an obsession with compost myself. Collecting leaves (over 20 M3 so far this winter), horse manure, straw, pine needles. Sometimes I even wonder what to do with the finished compost. Your operation is a lot bigger, don't you have an excess of compost?

[@annwithaplan9766]

Sometime last year I went to the grocery store and asked if I could have any scraps they might have and they said no, that they give them all the a hog a pig farmer. A couple months ago I went back to the same store and saw a large container full of greens (scraps) in the produce section and asked the manager if I could have it for the chickens and he said sure. I got to take the whole thing. I came back a few weeks later and they let me take it again.

[@edibleacres]

Great experience to share... It pays to ask multiple times on things like this!

[@skitsz36]

This might be a silly question, but where do your chickens lay their eggs? They appear have free roam which I think is beautiful, but I wonder does that affect how you collect the eggs? Also with the amount of chickens you have on average how many eggs do you get daily? Thanks!

[@edibleacres]

THey lay in a coop near by. They are within a fenced in front yard, we get around 20-24 eggs a day right now in mid-winter. 4 dozen a day on average in the summer...

[@SWGX-yt5uk]

That’s awesome so how do you keep all that compost in the green house from smelling bad or getting moldy? Thanks

[@edibleacres]

We have to make sure we add enough carbon and turn it often... As soon as there is a smell, we add more leaves, woodchips, sawdust, charcoal, etc etc to get it balanced.

[@antiowarr9467]

Late to the show, but I did put it off for a more favorable time and that time just ended.. Awesome vid and info. Thx/ You could see some of the chickens with there heads pulled back and eyes closed just enjoying the heat and a nap with a full crock... lol heheeh

[@kimm1318]

Where do your food scraps come from? Restaurants or grocery stores? Wonderful set up.

[@edibleacres]

Both restaurant and grocery store sources

[@gardentours]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼 Now I have an idea how to fix the door of my polytunnel.

[@edibleacres]

Awesome!

[@lolitabonita08]

questions...how often u pick up the restaurant waste...do you ask them to separate items like meat? do you provide the barrels for the waste??? THanks.

[@edibleacres]

We pick up generally 1-3 times a week depending on how things line up. We don't ask them to separate meat as that is a great food for the hens. We collect with our own containers from a few and use theirs for a few

[@lolitabonita08]

@@edibleacres thank you so much for the answer...that helps a lot. I am now, putting anything and everything that is food related in my compos pile, even dog food that expired...and the pile is hot so all is good. One thing i do not put is lard, oils or things like that...but everything else is fair game...

[@dictionaryzzz]

you could probably heat your home by running some copper pipes under the composting area...like a Jean Pain method

[@darlenemcswine6418]

How do you avoid frost bite, pneumonia etc with the chickens being around the steam and then go into their colder home at night?

[@edibleacres]

We don't do anything that is specific to that question, but at least for now it doesn't seem like an issue that has come up that we have to navigate...

[@darlenemcswine6418]

@@edibleacres that’s very interesting…curious how that is….thank you for getting back to me :)

[@denislosieroutdoors]

I've never had good luck on keeping my compost piles from freezing here in southeast Canada my ratios most be off...

[@sarat.914]

My little angels 😍🙈

[@turtle2212]

Sean, do you think this is also possible with no access to food scraps from restaurants? Would shredded leaves and grass clippings be enough to heat through winter?

[@edibleacres]

I think you can make it work without having food scraps. They add a lot to the equation but I wouldn't thikn of them as critical and nothing works without.

[@geoffgoheen9542]

Very nice. Do the chickens sleep in there or go to the coop at night?

[@trumpetingangel]

They live in the coop; in one of these videos, you see him let them out in the morning to eat warm cooked grains. ❤🐔

[@muratknal6007]

Where did you get all those kitchen scraps?lucky you...👍👏

[@edibleacres]

We have made relationships... kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2bUqn2Zp5uKgNU - I talk about some ideas in this video

[@muratknal6007]

@@edibleacres Thank you.I will try to contact.

[@deepfriedcherrypie5366]

Random question - Are there any other climates different than upstate New York where you think you'd enjoy doing what you do?

[@edibleacres]

I would think most climates would work, but there are very specific creative problem solving things that would have to happen in each context.

[@christinafriesen3022]

I’ve been working on a small version of this based on all the great things I’ve learned from you guys. I’ve been getting about 5-10gallons of veggie scraps a few times a week and adding mostly fall leaves for browns. I’m wondering how to know how much grains to feed them. They like the grains more than the veggies and compost so I usually try to feed the veggies first in the morning if I can. What is the best way to make sure they’re eating mostly the free food and not the grains? Also, sometimes my chickens overeat on lettuce/spinach and get diarrhea. Is that something I need to manage for them or should I just feel all the veggies I can? Thanks for any input you have. I love the community you’ve created! FYI, we’ve got 15 chickens and live in Canada where it’s -10f or so right now. Thawed compost though!!

[@edibleacres]

So amazing you have thawed compost with those conditions, wow! Not sure I have some key answer to offer other than continuing to add more food scraps as they are available and to continue offering the grain as well. We are in a very tough time of year and they probably want the energy dense and warming nutrient of the grain and so they should have it! We put out a huge amount of compost through the week at this point but still offer grain and they eat both. Maybe in the spring/summer you can ease the grain out a little bit and focus them more on compost, but I'd suggest making sure its all available when it's this cold!

[@christinafriesen3022]

@@edibleacres Okay thanks! That is helpful! Yes I’ve been so excited to have thawed compost!

[@trumpetingangel]

@@edibleacres Absolutely! In the summer they like to eat bugs and grubs, which (even with your compost system) are likely less available now.

[@iwant2stayhome]

That is genius

[@reinabrowne]

Do you need to supplement your chickens' food, or does this system provide them with enough?

[@edibleacres]

This system feeds them, although we do add whole grain to it so that would seem like something considered supplemental I'm sure

[@lukecaswell5411]

When building infrastructure for animal friends, I call things chicken straight and pig straight respectively. They don’t need things to be made plumb and level

[@edibleacres]

Yes to this :)

[@vonries]

Didn't you build a compost pile last year with the water pipes bringing in hot water heat into one of your outside buildings? Didn't it work well for you?

[@edibleacres]

It worked pretty well and I'm thinking about doing that for this context at some point again this winter... We'll have to see...

[@heyphilphil]

what are the benefits of the milk water i hear both sides....chickens arnt designed for dairy...but then I hear skim milk with water gives them calcium and us cheap. your thoughts? I know they can have a little sometimes but you seem to be giving them milk water alot. I'm interested on your thoughts and research....your hens gone get like diarrhea issues which would be my biggest concern. Great Channel....I'm doing your system in another form on an educational farm in California. we have giant woodchip piles we keep for years and I take the composted centers out of them filled with worms and grubs and give my 15 hens 3 wheels barrows a day...mixed with grass/cover crop seed....they live it! I'm interested in more things you are giving your chickens besides milk water and bone broth....are you giving then apple cidar vinegar and diatomaceous earth in the feed? Great Channel. great stuff. your stuff is making alot of chickens and people happy at a educational farm in California.

[@edibleacres]

They have complete access to good clean, unfrozen water in their coop... The milk is available to them as a free choice side food, and some/most enjjoy it. We never add DE to their feed, but sometimes garlic and ACV goes in their water, especially if we see more sticky butts going around. Overall a very wide diet and lots of exercise seems to keep even the oldest hens pretty healthy... Happy raising!

[@frankytrevor7]

From where you get the food waste? restaurants? etc Thank you....

[@edibleacres]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2bUqn2Zp5uKgNU - This video shares notes on how we source a variety of foods for our hens, and the comments have a nice wealth of additional ideas as well!

[@sandylee1717]

Where do they roost?

[@edibleacres]

In a wooden coop a few feet away

[@loric3455]

I really want to start this process but worry that it brings in mice or rats or any other kind of critter. Do you have any issues with these?

[@edibleacres]

Chickens eat mice... 0 issue there. We haven't had issues or challenges with rats, maybe just lucky but they seem like nice creatures anyway!

[@kerem7546]

is there any reason why you feed sprouted grain to the chickens? could they not have all their nutritional requirements met from just the food scraps you provide them?

[@edibleacres]

The food scraps are variable for sure, so having a baseline they can count on every day is important for them it seems...

[@marshagiere9894]

are mice and rats a problem

[@mr.skipper4544]

Chicken TV 👍🥳🥳🥳🥚

[@Plot9.2]

Chickens like to perch, I can’t see any perches for them to climb. They feel safe high up..!!

[@edibleacres]

We have a coop for them with ample perches and protection from predators, wind, etc., that they sleep in...

[@ilocanagardener1997]

How many chickens do you have?

[@edibleacres]

80-90 or so

[@ilocanagardener1997]

@@edibleacres that’s awesome! I really enjoy your chicken tv. Thanks for the content and helpful tips.

[@tophat2002]

How cold can they get?

[@edibleacres]

Very very cold so long as they can stay away from drafts when sleeping

[@conniewalsh9330]

Does any commentator here know about feeding milk to chickens? Is it fresh milk? Store bought? Heated? Can the hens digest lactose?

[@nikkityson8170]

Yes they can have milk and cheese only thing you don't feed chickens us chicken and other birds.

[@edibleacres]

We offer them leftover raw milk from a dairy. This is milk that is a little older, or has debris in it. A lot of time it is naturally fermenting into a yogurt type thing, or an informal cheese. They have free choice to it along with ample water. A number of the hens really enjoy it. I'm not going to say it is what people should feed chickens, but ours enjoy it as a free choice element.

[@MischiefManaged255]

How are u keeping predators out of that??

[@edibleacres]

They are welcome to come at night when the chickens are very safely tucked in to their coop.

[@mlissawetherell2382]

You must have really low predator pressure

[@am2schmarvelous]

Essentially it's a chicken sauna and buffet,

[@poacher7805]

Never heard of giving chickens milk. What are the benefit of milk?

[@edibleacres]

Calcium, protein, fat, minerals, enjoyment :)

[@poacher7805]

@@edibleacres interesting. I'm always looking for ways to keep the ladies happy. Thanks

[@happyfisherman4432]

will they have enough oxygen all night if you close them in that plastic bag ?

[@edibleacres]

We don't have them sleep in the winter run... They have a wooden coop right near by that they perch in for the evenings

[@wojomojo]

Chicken Sauna TV

[@spsmith1965]

I am surprised you don’t have any problems with predators killing the chickens. The entire property must be fenced in, I’m guessing.

[@TamunoOpuboCooksCookeyGam]

Chickens drink milk??

[@edibleacres]

Ours do. They have ample access to quality water as a key source of hydration, and the milk is free choice. It is high quality raw milk from a local dairy (but older and with debris in it sometimes, so it's free)

[@TamunoOpuboCooksCookeyGam]

@@edibleacres wow. I was curious yesterday and found many videos of the same phenomenon. I grew up raising chickens and we never did this. We learn every day.