Chickens Free Range For The First Time

free range chickens homestead farm ultimate coop Canadian wilderness homesteading.
It's been a long time coming but the ultimate chicken yard is finally ready for use. The chickens get their first taste of grass and bugs too. Hope you have a fun time watching. #chickens #homesteading #farmlife
SUBSCRIBE and help support the channel. And don't forget to drop a comment. It helps us to build this channel into something special. We're transforming this 90 acre property into a self reliant homestead and farm stay vacation rental. We're building infrastructure to accomodate future growth such as barns, duck house, 7 coop chicken house, water hydrants, planting an orchard, building a garden etc. Chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, barn cats and two old english sheepdogs make up our team here at the farm. Please follow along on our journey of transforming this place into something special.

[@DJ-bd9sf]

You have done a fantastic job on your property!!!👍 you are one talented guy..🙏❤️🙏😇👍👍

[@stillwrendering]

I love to see a man who genuinely loves his birds its so sweet

[@naomidaum8277]

I love watching the free ranging chickens while they're dust bathing. They make such a mess, but they're so happy and relaxed.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yes it so calming for me to watch too. 😊

[@sylvieroy3751]

They are in paradise ❤🌈💖🫶love how you take care of them❤🌻🐓

[@amelienagant3882]

Watching this while doing a documentary on slaughterhouses:( It brings me joy to see there’s people taking good care and loving their animals. I’m so happy for your chickens❤️

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

That’s a chicken palace! Lovely they can free range. That’s a lot of loving work.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yeah thanks, I think they’re gonna love it too.

[@RJH_LIL]

Evening Chad. OMG those chickens at first were like "what is this other space dimension?" 😅 Great job on the gates/fencing.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yeah they totally weren’t sure what to do, thanks a million 🙏

[@bobmanp8653]

nice you made a bigger pen for them

[@susielk2626]

Great job fencing.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

🙏

[@eyesea123]

I bet the eggs will be tasting much better now. Thank you for sharing your world with us. It's magical. That was delightful to watch! We used to let our chickens out under the avocado grove, talk about worm heaven!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Thanks so much for the nice words. Where in the world are you where you have an avocado grove?

[@eyesea123]

@@HiddenSpringFarm San Diego, California. That was when I was a child. I miss those days.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@eyesea123 must’ve been a good childhood.

[@nikkistump3480]

Happy for the chickens!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

They seem to be loving it 😊

[@manub6556]

Traumhaft schöööön was Du für die Hühner gemacht hast❤❤❤❤❤da werden sie dir sicher mit vielen 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚sich bei Dir bedanken ❤❤❤😅😂 Du bist der Hammer und Deine Frau und Du seid ein tolles Team❤❤ Eure Hunde sind soooo lieb❤❤❤

[@cpbird_lover9143]

Wow! Super fun to watch. Happy chickens!!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

😎🐓

[@jerrystout3032]

Great Job Pete!!

[@hellie_el]

❤❤❤ very happy for your chickens

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

They seem to be enjoying too.

[@xwannabeetinkerbellx]

what beautiful chickens ! it just takes some time

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Ur right, after a few days they’re wandering all over the yard.

[@Carycares1817]

You build something awesome. Do think the protein in the eggs comes from the protein in the bugs insects they eat?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Thanks a million. A lot would, yes and important too is that they should eat less feed.

[@helen1962]

Success!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

😁

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

Ah that looks great! Lots of hard work! Phew. My roosters got a long for a while, until the younger rooster went near another roosters hen… then one younger rooster nearly killed the my old fella. I had to separate them. It happened very quickly. They were fine, then I went in for a couple hours and came out just in time to save my older roo. That’s probably not going to happen with all that space you have, but I’d watch closely for a few weeks. Great run! Great video. Good luck!❤

[@cindym7234]

Yes. I was wondering about the roosters fighting each other. He will have to keep a close eye on that!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Definitely, I don’t want my boys to get hurt.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Thanks so much, took me a while to get it done. I’m keeping a watchful eye on things. Roosters will fight for sure if they come face to face. I may need divider fences if it’s a huge issue.

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

@@HiddenSpringFarm hope it all goes smoothly!🐓☀️

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@cozyhomemakingvibes 😉

[@leonafaryna7617]

Chicken’s heaven is what they call it. Will they stay in their separate families or intermingle? Happiness abounds for them all. Will they get a guard goose during the day to help out, or are they pretty protected with those bushes and tree cover? Stay cool 😎

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

For right now if they’re out I can’t stop them from mingling but if I want to breed I’ll keep ‘em in for a while. They fairly protected from aerial obit They will get a guard goose or two. If I need interior fencing that’s an option, I’m worried the roos will fight.

[@leonafaryna7617]

@@HiddenSpringFarm irregardless, they are some very lucky clucks!

[@torino428cj]

You guy's having fun 😅🐔🐔🐓🐓🐔🐔

[@yeagerxp]

Well done farmer Chad🤣 How is Billie doing? Her belly touching the floor yet?🤣👍👍👍Thank you for sharing. Be safe🇨🇦

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

It’s like an inch off the floor, she’s gotta be getting close

[@doriskuhberger8559]

Awesome video. You have some nice looking chickens. I am sure the eggs are taste nice as well. Thank you so much for sharing. Lots of Love to you all. ❤❤❤❤ Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

We haven’t bought eggs for over 2 years now and they taste soooo much better than grocery eggs.

[@yeagerxp]

@@HiddenSpringFarm They will taste even better with the chickens free ranging. All them vitamins and minerals from worms, bugs, fresh grass😋😋😋. I believe you will notice the difference again

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@yeagerxp yeah I think so too

[@Getoutsideorreadinstead]

Hi Chad. We just found you several weeks ago while researching ducks and have been working our way through your videos. We love your channel and how you work your farm and take care of your animals.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

That’s awesome, welcome to the farm. I appreciate all the watching you’ve been doing, cheers 😊

[@fionnaitsradag5152]

That octagonal chicken chateau looks fantastic. If only I were a better carpenter...😅

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Aww thanks, it took lots of patience cause it’s so complicated. Lots of angles.

[@DD-qw8zc]

I need to be putting up my chickens fence as well, but yesssss it’s hot lol

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Haha Yes! I’m either complaining it’s too cold or too hot 😂 Gotta get things done though.

[@cindym7234]

I'm so happy for your chickens. Once they get used to it, they will love their new surroundings. I've been meaning to ask, Why is there one red hen in with the black flock? Thanks Chad. Stay cool. Love from Texas ❤

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Yeah it’s been a few days now and they’re exploring their new space more courageously. The one RI hen is still with the black leghorn flock, she found her way in and never left.

[@pauldiesel4582]

Goodbye ticks and bugs they are going to clean up!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

YES!!! 👏

[@evelynrogers7145]

Well, they’ll breed with each other. You’ll have a mixed flock

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Whenever I want to breed I’ll keep that flock in for a few weeks.

[@lacybryant7670]

Very nice. Okay be ready for crosses.😅

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Nah, I'll only breed when I want to. and keep them separated when I do.

[@GrannySanny]

You may end up having to put radial fencing out from each coop if you don't want cross breeding. Beautiful place for them to scratch and free range.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

That’s something I could do but for right now if I wanna breed I’ll just keep them in for a while.

[@GrannySanny]

@@HiddenSpringFarm I have never done any chicken breeding, so not sure of the process. I am guessing you are saying if you don't let the hens go broody it is not an issue.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@GrannySanny yes that’s one but also I’m not breeding all the time so it doesn’t really matter. I’m much more successful incubating myself, when the hens do it, it’s a very low hatch rate. For most of the time we’re not breeding anyway.

[@cindym7234]

@HiddenSpringFarm Yeah, I've heard that it takes like a month of separation of each breed of chickens before you can get pure breds again. I think the females can retain the males sperm for quite a while.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@cindym7234 exactly, not only can they hold the sperm but they can choose which sperm they use. Incredible.

[@cassandrahoward8325]

I often have taken flat black spray paint to new wood i want to antique !. Use a misting only!.,

[@cassandrahoward8325]

Your chickens re very blessed to live on your farm!.,

[@ewokfuzzy]

Hi Chad! I found your channel a few days ago from doing research about how to care for chickens and now i’m strongly considering getting ducks too. I admire your farm and how you take care of your animals, and the videos you make are really helpful! I’ve been watching a lot of your videos on chickens and ducks because i’m planning on getting a small flock of them both. So far i’m looking at 4-5 chickens and 2-3 ducks. I’m planning on just raising them on the bugs they catch and the plants they find edible. And whatever else they find, i know chickens eat a lot of odd stuff! Pasture-raised, which results in highest quality egg and chicken nutrition. I’m hoping you can give some advice, like how many chickens could i fit in half an acre of land? Should i raise both the ducks and chickens together or both separately? Which breed of chicken and duck would be easy-going on a first-timer? I want them to have the same diet so they have high nutrition. I’m not going to buy them any GMO or grain feed from any store. Off-grid, organic chickens and ducks are my goal and i have no problem dealing with the downsides, like the messes. Just hoping to have some advice from you directly because this is going to be my first time owning a flock and you run a wonderful small farm. Hope to hear from you, God bless! 😊

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@ewokfuzzy well ducks and chickens certainly can be raised together especially if raised as chicks. I personally like to raise them separate cause I did t want the chickens ruining our orchard grass and their water needs, but it’s just my choice. Depending on your climate bugs etc may not be enough food. Here in Canada we have several months of winter so we need to supplement the food, but if it’s a warmer climate it’s possible. If you are raising for meat I suggest feeding them cause chickens are ready in less than 12 weeks but if you’re not feeding them they’ll grow much more slowly. 1/2 acre is a huge area for them you could most likely raise dozens and dozens without an issue but inside the coop is a different story…1 bird for every 2 feet of roosting space.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@ewokfuzzy I like our Light Sussex breed for their calmness, great meat but fewer eggs. Rhode Island’s are a great layer. I hear and type of buff chickens are very calm too although I have no experience either then. Our black leghorns are very skittish and are so skinny so no good for meat. Our ducks are khaki Campbell but they’re very skittish, Pekin is supposed to be a calmer duck and good for meat & eggs. We feed our ducks the same poultry layer feed and they eat whatever they can when free ranging. Hope that helps Best of luck to you, lots to learn but just take it step by step.

[@ewokfuzzy]

@@HiddenSpringFarm Ahh okay, thanks for replying so soon! The Pekin and Rhose Island breeds are the most intriguing to me. I'm going to be raising them mainly for their eggs. I'm in middle Tennessee and the winters here are often mild and it does get very cold in December-February. Meat, bugs, plants, table scraps and whatever else they find in the yards by foraging is basically what their meal plan is going to be so it works out better for the Rhode Island and Pekin breeds in my opinion. Sure they won't be as thick, but that's okay! 😁 Nutrition over fluffiness!! I'm still working out the coop....i'll continue doing more research and watching your videos. Thank you again for the information, i hope you have a wonderful day and that everything keeps goin' good on your farm! 😊

[@eithanlong1355]

I love watching mine... but personal experience. I'd get the baby chickens and waterfoel separated. They grow a but quicker and make a nasty mess for the chicks.

[@chuckfreed282]

Nice video but what kind of tee post driver did you use to drive those tee posts? Thanks for reply anyone!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@chuckfreed282 it’s a “Power Fist” brand bought from Princess Auto here in Canada.

[@chuckfreed282]

@@HiddenSpringFarm Thanks, after looking in google I see that they can be bought here in the USA or you can rent one. That will make life easier when driveng those tee posts.

[@MarkJHandy]

Hello, What is the tool you used to drive in the t-posts? Thanks, Mark

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

It’s a gas powered post driver. I got it from Princess Auto here in Ontario, it was just over $400 Canadian. I’m sure other shops sell them around the world this one is Power Fist brand. It made my job so much easier. Took only 15 seconds per post.

[@MarkJHandy]

@@HiddenSpringFarm Thanks, didn't even think of checking Princess Auto. We're in Nova Scotia, and there's one in Halifax. Cheers!

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@MarkJHandy nice! The ones here in Ontario have a bunch of farm type stuff too so it’s good to check.

[@MarkJHandy]

@@HiddenSpringFarm We used to live in Kitchener, PA is what crappy tires used to be.

[@Fisher_Ash]

Atleast you don’t chop their beaks off

[@teresakooser5695]

Did the pig have her babies?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

No not yet, her belly is pretty large though and she seems to be having a tough time walking around. My guess is she’s getting close. Thursday video is a pretty good update of the farm 😊

[@Sprigatito687]

First 😊

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

YES!!!

[@honkymonkey9568]

When I got my 3 hens 8 months ago they merrily free-ranged all over my acre yard all day. But, suddenly about 2 weeks ago when I opened the coop to let them out in the morning, they just stayed huddled inside the coop or gathered at the door and wouldn't come out. And, they've been doing that ever since. I noticed that whenever they hear a crow call, they dash deep inside the coop, but we've always had crows around and they were never afraid of them before. I used to enjoy watching my happy free-range chickens pecking about the yard and chasing bugs. But, now they're paranoid and I'm depressed. Have you ever experienced this behavior?

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

No I’ve haven’t experienced this, but we use guard geese to patrol the yard. Your birds have become skittish most likely from an attempted attack by some kind of predator. Maybe with time they will build up confidence. It helps to have a rooster around to as the hens know he’s their protector.

[@honkymonkey9568]

@@HiddenSpringFarm Great info. Thanks

[@colecrum]

They are very UNLIKELY to be afraid of a crow’s attack; it’s quite likely that a crow’s call is associated with an attack that they experienced with something like a fox/coyote/dog/etc…. (birds are often overhead watching and “sounding alarms” when there’s ground commotion. Do you have roosters for your flock?

[@FrankLeroy-cp6xk]

He would hate me if I was a friend ahead glad to call him out on his stupid stuff

[@donnanorman340]

Let me get this straight. Each breed of chickens have their own coop because you want pure breeds. But when they are free ranging they will all be together. Your taking a chance of not having a pure breed.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

But what I’ll do when I want to breed I’d keep that flock in fur a few weeks then take those eggs to incubate and then they can be out again. I’m actually more worried about the roosters fighting.

[@donnanorman340]

@@HiddenSpringFarm that makes sense. It is nice to see, well when they are ready to fly 😅😅 the coop to see them all free ranging. Have a good day. 💛 from 🇨🇦.

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

@@donnanorman340 🤙😉

[@FrankLeroy-cp6xk]

Do you know what's annoying about KZbinrs using their hands all the time that is annoying I don't do that ever in my life

[@Carycares1817]

During the summer this farmer let his mobile coops 🐔 s out and at nite they pick and choose any coop to go in some cram themselves in one 😂 in your case I'm guessing eventually they ll mix? It'll be fun to watch that's for sure, 🐔 cam please😅. Don't feel bad if we see other homesteaders blame it on google😂 andorrythums (sp ?)AND THERE S NOBODY LIKE YOURS AHA. Gonna tell other homesteaders to look at yours! Hope that's ok.❤😊

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

Haha yes MJ has already been in Elvis’s coop, no fights yet but I gotta keep watch. Beating the KZbin algorithm is the goal of every KZbinr so it’s all good. Cheers.