Learn to Homestead: Keeping Egg Laying Chickens

If you've ever wanted to raise backyard chickens for eggs, you'll want to catch this episode of the Pantry Chat.
Raising chickens has been a staple practice of homesteads large and small for thousands of years. Our beautiful birds give us so much, from scratching and fertilizing the ground as they move across the property, to delivering that perfect unit of food called the egg.
In this episode, we're diving deep into the art and science (and love) of egg-laying chickens. This is one of the topics we get the most questions about, so take a break from the garden for a bit and tune in to this mini masterclass on raising chickens for eggs!
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Links Mentioned in this Video:
Pressure Canning in an Instant Pot: homesteadingfamily.com/pressu...
Caring for Baby Chicks (Everything You Need to Know): homesteadingfamily.com/everyt...
5 Things to do With Extra Eggs: homesteadingfamily.com/5-ways...
What to Look For in a Chicken Tractor: homesteadingfamily.com/chicke...
Fermenting Chicken Feed: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to...
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Time Stamps:
0:00 - Chit Chat
9:51 - Main Topic: Egg Laying Chickens
9:56 - Breeds
15:03 - Buying
24:50 - Shelter
37:01 - Feed
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us at www.homesteadingfamily.com and on Facebook at / homesteadingfamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Click any of the links below for instant access to free video training resources:
- Healthy Healing at Home- Free 4 video workshop on our herb course Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Colds
homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt
- Bread Making workshop- Free 4 video workshop on our masterclass, The Art of Homemade Bread
homesteadingfamily.com/free-b...
- Meals on Your Shelf- Free 4 video workshop on canning. The Abundant Pantry: Canning
homesteadingfamily.com/MOYS-f...
Click any of the links below for instant access to these free downloadable PDFs:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - A PDF download filled with our family’s favorite holiday recipe.
classes.homesteadingfamily.co...
- 5 Steps to a More Self Sufficient Life- Simple PDF download on 5 steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
classes.homesteadingfamily.co...
- Thrive Wellness Checklist- A simple PDF download for healthy living.
homesteadingfamily.com/TWC_YT
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- PDF download that is an introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
homesteadingfamily.com/PFYH_YT
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list- PDF with Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
homesteadingfamily.com/CGHL_YT
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles- Carolyn’s favorite make-ahead breakfast casseroles.
homesteadingfamily.com/MABC_YT
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs- PDF download with multiple ways to preserve eggs.
homesteadingfamily.com/Eggs_YT
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden- PDF download with an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden
homesteadingfamily.com/5Steps...
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop.
homesteadingfamily.com/STC_YT
- Fearless Fermenting- A PDF on basic lacto-ferments.
homesteadingfamily.com/FF_YT
- Fermenting Tomatoes- PDF download on fermenting tomatoes
homesteadingfamily.com/FT_YT
- Preserving Culinary Herbs- Downloadable, step by step directions to drying, freezing and salting culinary herbs.
homesteadingfamily.com/PCH_YT
- Render Your Own Lard- PDF with instructions on how to render your own lard.
homesteadingfamily.com/RYL_YT
#backyardchickens #egglayingchickens #raisingchickens #chickens

[@carriejaramillo1811]

Hyline Browns! Amazing egg layers. So far, 365 eggs a year for two years straight in hot area with mild winters. And they're sweet, gentle birds.

[@johnparrish9215]

A few years ago I decided to buy some dual-purpose chickens, eggs, and meat. But I screwed up when I picked the breed, I bought Silver laced Wyandottes, that was a mistake, I never dreamed a breed could be so calm and mild and make great pets. So now I still have dual-purpose chickens but they are eggs, and companions...LOL Seriously, if you are sitting on my porch you're going to have one or two in your lap.

[@heidigib01]

Thanks, if I get chickens that’s what I want, pets and eggs. I love friendly chickens

[@YT4Me57]

They sound like wonderful farm pets. 😊 Enjoy! 🐓

[@aprilnicolae9359]

I am considering getting the silver laced wyandottes. Why do you say they are a mistake? Just because they're too friendly? Just curious, as I haven't bought them yet and I don't want to make a mistake.

[@rosemarybartley342]

@@aprilnicolae9359 I believe what was meant is that the chickens were purchased for both egg production and meat. However, they became pets so won't be processed for meat.

[@WalkingScriptureWithShanna]

That’s interesting because I feel like my Wyandotte’s are the first ones I’m going to eat. They’ve already been renamed after the Mean Girls

[@derekshrewsbury9539]

Random, and completely unrelated to anything, but I love the way you guys look at each other 🥰

[@victorenecahill9013]

At first I started with Buff Oorps and 6 of them were setters and each hen had 8 to 10 chicks. All the chicks that set I kept. So I have never had to but chicks again. In 20 years I have only lost 3 chicks. I LOVE CHICKEN!!

[@BecomingMrsPost]

This comment is encouraging because I am getting buff orps!

[@HealedandThriving]

We have a 12 by 15 shed for our chickens and they are fenced in on an acre and a half. We trained our great pyrenees to protect them and she is amazing. If hawks/owls/eagles are around, she knows. The chickens run to her. We have coyotes , fox, raccoons and bobcats just outside our fencing but we havent lost any in the five years here because of her.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

That's amazing!

[@kanenjames8503]

We have a 9 month old pyranees. He has killed one chicken and we constantly have to watch him as he likes to chase them. Do you know how I can break him of this

[@BigSmashKing]

My favorite breed of chicken are black astrolorps and buff orpingtons they are dual porpoise breeds and they are both extremely gentle and docile and beautiful!!

[@dianahess7286]

I get the egg laying chickens and when they are 2 years old I raise another batch. I still can the meat and use it chicken dishes. Also broth.

[@karenheider4138]

I ordered several different trees this year, so far all I have received is the apple trees. I got them planted and they are starting to bloom. I wasn't planning on doing much gardening this year and concentrate more on building my house. Unfortunately I went to the Amish store yesterday and bought green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, sage, rosemary and Roma tomatoes.

[@dancnluc1]

When we first got chickens, we got full grown along with the roosters. Then we started to hatch their eggs in a incubators. Luckily my roommate has his own bandsaw so he made chicken coops and booders. We used to sell chick's but we have slowed down and only focus on our own. I have let a few broody mom's hatch their own. I love watching momma and babies together.

[@grammym1643]

EXACTLY RIGHT on Instapot canning! Thank you for saying no. It's too dangerous. The only thing I would even remotely think about canning in an Instapot would be high sugar jams....even then, I think it would have to be 1/2 PT jars to insure the water level stayed deep enough to properly cover the lids. I used to be afraid of the pressure cooker, but seriously, it's not difficult. Never try to quick cool or force lid open and it will be pretty much foolproof.

[@judyluchies2492]

Busy on our dairy and beef farm ,24/7 🤣 it’s all good, getting the gardens ready 😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻I love canning my food in my pressure cooker the old way 😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@8sonrisa8]

I have been very “organically” letting my broody hens sit and hatch their own clutch. Started getting my chickens from a farm that had really nice chickens that I wanted more of. Second year into it, am in my third round of babes. My rooster is THE BEST-perfect real chill alpha! Got tons of eggs all the time by timing when the babes are born. Now freeze drying and selling eggs. Thanks Josh & Carolyn!!

[@annettewalls8783]

I have backyard chickens. I turned my shed into a chicken house. I use milk crates for nesting boxes, and put a dropping board under their roost. That was I can clean it everyday, no flies in my coop and I compost their droppings. win win for me an them.

[@charlottescrazycrittershom5180]

Thank you for supporting broody hens!❤️💕

[@ottocarmanjones7143]

I love this channel. Intelligent content and so calming. Thank you.

[@twistedtreehomestead904]

Thank you both for sharing, I’ll need chicken info hopefully soon, just starting out on our homestead, again thank you!

[@jenm6836]

I love the mamma heating pad method rather than a heat lamp. I will never go back to the heat lamp.

[@zainabm3216]

Thank you for all your information, I am single yet decided towork toward live off grid home stead this year. I need as much-needed information as possible. So thank you and God 🙌

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

I'm so glad to hear that you've been pleased with Freedom Ranger Hatchery as we're buying from them for the first time this year! So far, customer service has went above and beyond for us (and we haven't received our birds yet---coming in July...). They treated our small order like we were as important as anyone buying large numbers. We hope to continue buying from them for both meat chickens and later, hens--indefinitely.

[@judyluchies2492]

Thank you, I love my chickens, 😇🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@bbraskey8521]

I loved your canning pantry tour from last year. I would love to see what y’all plan to can & store this year. I’ve never canned before, but am excited to try.

[@dianahess7286]

Day old chicks that are hand raised are more friendly.

[@ScarletBrimstone]

Yup. Less pecking and they love cuddles😊

[@kated4359]

Love your shirt, Carolyn!!🤍💙🤍

[@lynnware9202]

We are increasing our raised bed and garden space. Considering starting to raise rabbits for meat. This has been informative on chickens. Thank you!

[@pieceofkakes]

Rabbits are great! Quieter and cleaner than chickens and just as delicious 😋

[@bonne_vie]

They also make great fertilizer

[@MysticWoods]

We have had chickens for years, but we sold our 6 acre property and bought an incredible 95 acre property with a kilometer of oceanfront on Galiano Island in British Columbia, and in our second year of getting set up, my husband wanted to get chickens even though we had nothing set up for them yet. So we ordered them and he had 3 months to get a hen house and coup set up which he did not get around to doing, so when the day old chicks arrived, I had to keep them in my living room for 2 months until he finally got the coup set up. I loved having them in the house, but wow did that get stinky even though I cleaned the area up twice a day. So I totally agree with what you said about getting set up first before you get the chicks. When the coup was finally made, he had not finished the door properly and lost 2 of the chickens the first night to a Raccoon that got through the space where the door was to go. So yes, get prepared first.

[@bethdepot-jackson7054]

I just got my first chickens and quail. I saw this topic and can't wait to see what you've got to teach me.

[@toridominguez4167]

I wanted to get an instant pot for canning because I was scared of the pressure canner but decided to just get a pressure canner and I have to say I am addicted and was afraid for no reason. I love canning now and have canned every day since I got it. The pressure canner isn't as scary as my mother made it out to be. LOL

[@thegreekhomestead]

Thank you. Very useful for us newbies!

[@amomto4]

We're just starting this year. Added chickens to our existing flock of guinea hens. We got 3 black australorps and 3 silver-laced wyandottes we've found both breeds to be super sweet, almost to a fault as the guineas pick on them.

[@michelletaylor1983]

Don't forget loose neighbor dogs as predators lol. We lost 50 out of 75 of our first batch of meat chickens because a neighbor dog or two dug a hole and climbed under the heavy chicken tractor to get in. We then ate the $500 OST to get a poultry net with solar charger, and put a 1.5 foot skirt of 1/2 inch hardware cloth around the edge of the tractor and didn't have any loss the second batch.

[@donkeydonk96]

love your channel

[@bbraskey8521]

We have a dense predator situation, but thought the portable electric fence, would be enough protection. We have lots of hawks, owls, feral cats (people just drop off on our dirt road), opossums, raccoons, neighbors dogs, foxes, coyotes, snakes, etc. We have sloped pasture, so can’t use an A-Frame Tractor.

[@Shortcake39553]

Great how to video. It's great to know that it's okay if you don't follow every rule to the T. It takes a little more stress away knowing the chicks won't die if you can't perfect everything

[@earlclaborn]

laying chickens are awesome.

[@carolhamilton5164]

i like pantry chats better than lives.

[@suesmith8225]

What are we up to - building a shed, starting to get get things planted in the garden and getting ready for our first goats, 4 babies.......

[@charlievanornum5901]

Waiting for a real spring and started raising chicks this year.

[@WalkingScriptureWithShanna]

Last year we got Wyandotte’s, RI Reds, Barred Rock and Australorps. We realized we hate the Wyandotte’s and Australorps. This year we got RI Reds, Barred Rocks, Back Sex Links, and a couple NH Reds (b/c we live in NH and how do you not) and Americanas just to diversify our egg colors. I’m excited because I believe we have a roo among the new RI Reds!

[@dustinjohnson7728]

If you live in an area that allows it, I would recommend trapping or contacting your local trapping community to find a good trapper to help control predators on your farm/homestead. Raccoons and possums will wipe out a flock in a matter of a few nights if left unchecked. Livestock guardian dogs are great for keeping out the fox and coyotes but even the baddest dogs can get torn up fighting a coon IF they can catch them.

[@wendycash54]

I am adding 3 additional raised beds, I have 94 Walla Walla onions that I started from seed in one, turnips in another that just started to germinate, Beets and spinach in another and garlic and lettuce in the 4th. One is ready for corn, when its time, and the other 2 are not built yet, hopefully soon, for cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini. I hope to grow enough tomatoes to can this year, I learned a lot about how to avoid the mistake of last year (too many plants too close, caused late blight and I lost them all)

[@sledadx]

Hey fam! Love your stuff, it has helped us a ton! We live in town and we have a group of people that have all been very interested in partaking in a community garden. Have you ever been a part of one or do you have any insights? Thanks!!

[@rawfoodelectric]

Hi!! I'm here!!!

[@nickieburgess6223]

Firat off i love your channel and wat h regularly and rewatch often lol. Just wanted to share our experience the year before last we let some of our Cornish cross grow out some of them the hens do lay eggs quite often... the roosters were the problem they grew to big and heavy when they tried to mount the hens they would literally serade the hens. The first one I saw I thought it had got away from an animal attack got to watching aaaaaannnnnnd it was the roosters (not that they were to mean or rough it was just the size of them) in the end everyone still ended up in the freezer but the hens would have been just fine we had them waaaaaaaay longer than your supposed to be able to keep them the trick is don't over feed them and make them forage just like the other chickens.

[@amandahearne1870]

We've been planting onions and cauliflower. Soon to plant Broccoli here in Zone 5b in Idaho. Also moving and adding on to the chicken coop soon!

[@laurenj.5312]

Your comment had me thinking. I'm going to have to recheck my zone because I am over 2000 miles south of Idaho and I was told I was zone 7b.

[@amandahearne1870]

@@laurenj.5312 my mistake ....I'm 5b. Don't know why I typed 6b lol! Although Idaho does have a pretty wide range of zones depending on how far from the mountains you get.

[@laurenj.5312]

@@amandahearne1870 I never checked my zone, just asked a neighbor and took off planting. Note to myself, always double check before planting. Hehe

[@marietschopp2629]

Thanks for the info you provide. I signed up for the bread class-love it. I heard you say you water your garden overhead to mimic rain. Can you tell me what system you use? I was just about ready to invest in soaker hoses.

[@rosemarybartley342]

In our neighborhood we have LOTS of wild cotton tail bunnies and the hawks owls & Mexican Eagles have picked them off in our back yard (half acre total property including house). We are investigating getting chickens and know we will need to have cover on our runs.

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Check out the videos from Little House Off Grid. He has a neat chicken setup using canopies (like you use for shade in your yard or campsite) with the legs wrapped in wire fencing with hardware cloth around the bottom. He keeps the legs short (not extended much) so that the top of the fencing meets the bottom edge of the canopy. He can park his chicken coop right against the ‘wall’ of the canopy, and it has a hole that corresponds with the door in his coop for the chickens to enter and leave by. The fence fastens to the coop on either side of the coop door. When the coop door is closed at night, the chickens are safe inside the coop.

[@amandataylor682]

I bred my own flock to have a lot of setting hens so that I could get my own flock replacements...In retrospect, it was a terrible idea. Now I've got a whole flock of girls that try to have babies at the same time. 😅I'm going to be trying to raise leghorns this year.

[@southernhen]

Great video and lots of good information here. I'd like to add some information about the importance of breed selection. Poultry are the only species of livestock that we keep that you can't save or preserve the egg for future genetic use. So unlike cows, pigs, lambs ect... that the semen can be frozen for future use, the poultry egg can not. So, when a breed becomes extinct (which many have) it's gone forever. Our American breeds were created for dual use. The problem with the American breeds today that most people own are hatchery stock. They are bred strictly for profit. So, the actual purpose of the specific breed has been lost. Something I recommend to folks looking for dual purpose breeds, is to look for breeders. We are out there and we want folks to become educated as to how important it is to save the genetics. If we lose our foundation breeds we have nothing to support ourselves and then become dependent on the industrialized animal they've created today. Which are based on profit benefits and not the benefits of serving many aspects of the farm in one breed. An interesting fact...all American breeds were developed for commercial use at some point in the evolution of the development of the Cornish cross. So they are useful, but slower to bring profit to the commercial industry. Their goal has always been to grow birds as fast as possible to make the most profit.

[@jbk1022]

Also very important check your zoning to see if you can have chickens on your property

[@dhansonranch]

Good video! The nice thing about the dual purpose (rhode Island red, barred rock, etc) is they have a tendency to go broody more than the egg layers. The heritage breeds definitely like to go broody and do not produce the eggs of the egg layers and dual purpose but they do serve a bit of purpose. I have many chickens of all groups with the thinking of hatching my own replacement but dealing with the 50% roosters has been the stopping point for me. Yes, I can can or grind, but because I do all my layers it is too much. I have tried maintaining my layers longer than 2 years but have found they become fussy, lay thinner shelled eggs and just generally a pain. And so, I replace every second year. I also use artificial lighting to keep 14 hours of light. I do have a fixed coop with an outdoor totally enclosed run...and so I bring the grass to them....where I live, my climate is not conducive to tractors and coyotes will clean out a flock in no time. I even lost two full grown turkeys to an owl that found a hole in the top wire. Good job!

[@nancyalberghini7581]

Carolyn are all your canning recipes taken from Ball recipe books or from usda sites/books?? Thank you

[@Thisisit120]

Dogs can definitely be your chickens worst predators even in the country. People drop their unwanted dogs and you see them up and down the roads all the time. And when they get hungry they come for the chickens.

[@YT4Me57]

I live in a big city and will never raise chickens either for eggs or meat, but I'm here for the information. 😊

[@beksta8518]

I ordered a chicken run online, 2mx1m. It said for 4 chooks. I thought maybe 2 but not 4. When I got the chicken run I realised how small it was... fit for 1 chicken. so my friend who helped me put it together, built nesting boxes off to the side. And it was decided its the place they get locked up for the night. We've now fenced a larger section off for the chickens, haven't got them yet but plan to get 3... are is 6-7m x 4m or there abouts.

[@sheilafarmer81763]

Also your gonna need a good security dog. We love our loving Pyrenees. She is a dynamo. She protects them with her life..our chickens love roost in the trees eat bugs.and all the grass they need

[@whoaracehorse323]

Do you guys like the Plymouth Barred Rocks? Any thoughts on them, and Thanks 😊

[@franmoyer8527]

Barred Rocks are one of my favorites.

[@joannathesinger770]

Ehhhh...I would pick a Speckled Sussex over a Barred Rock any day. Great docile personality, easy to tame, and reliable egg layers. They also are more hardy when it comes to the molt. My Rhode Island Red died in her first molt. And...if you want meat, mine generally come in between 5 ahd 7 pounds, but I only eat the eggs...thus far.

[@kelseybogus7354]

We are building a chicken coop! And planting our veggie garden, flowers and herbs.

[@MarciPrice-cl6eq]

I pressure cook in my 23 yr old presto cooker...IMO...no canning what so ever in an Instapot! I won't risk my family's health!

[@bbraskey8521]

Where do y’all recommend getting pullers from? We have ordered chicks, but they won’t be 20 weeks until October. We waited too long to order & had to wait months. This could be a solution. We live in GA, but have ordered from Murray & Welp.

[@crystaljordan7318]

I have read conflicting advice on what kitchen scraps are acceptable to give chickens. Onions/no onions. Meat/no meat. Egg shells/no egg shells...etc. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

[@bonne_vie]

I'd say no to all of those.

[@MichelleMcDines]

I got four point of lay hens for £9 each. I got my first egg within an hour of their arrival!! I was told they would stop laying over the winter so had a go at waterglassing eggs to have plenty for the winter - but my hens carried on laying so I'm awash with eggs and end up throwing so many on the compost heap if they have gone bad before I get chance to eat them

[@myjesusisall3192]

Where from Michelle??

[@MichelleMcDines]

@@myjesusisall3192 I'm in the UK so got them from a local breeder who sells at the farmers market in the nearest town. But with "avian flu" some places aren't holding poultry sales.

[@bonne_vie]

I hope you're not throwing out eggs. They last months and I'm sure you can find people to take them.

[@MichelleMcDines]

@@bonne_vie only when they float 😀

[@ivannarodriguezenriquez3647]

Thank you for all the information the you gave us! I have a question, if I feed my chickens with chicken scrap don't go to attract predators?

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Don’t feed them more than they will eat within an hour or so.

[@aessidhe6304]

Do you keep roosters with your egg laying flock? If so, how many hens per rooster do you keep? Do you have issues with the roosters fighting each other? Do you have issues with the rooster hurting the hens during mating? Do your trim or remove rooster spurs? If so, how?

[@LittleHomesteadOnHinerPond]

Is a county extension office the only place to get the pressure canning dial checked? That’s quite a hassle.

[@GrowingGreener]

thank you for all the advice. I have a number of young fruit trees and want to just let my chickens walk around in this area with a building for at night. Would the chickens do any damage or just in vegetable gardens that would be a concern?

[@bonne_vie]

I'd be worried about them digging around the trees, but you can put big rocks or bricks around to keep them from doing that. Or make a fence around trees with chicken wire.

[@suemagyari2992]

Technically, the Instapot Max 8 quart, does maintain you can pressure can in it. It has not been approved yet by the USDA, due to no research done yet. Please see Rose Red Homestead's research on this topic. She does an excellent scientific approach to this. ONLY TTHE INSTAPOT MAX. No other Instapot has the ability to reach and maintain the proper killing temps (240-250F). The USDA IS getting ready to approve a different electric pressure pot, so watch for that info.

[@livingwellanyway3279]

The concern is there is now way to ensure the instapot reading is accurate. It may be but if it's not quite hot enough inside those jars (not quite high pressure enough) then dangerous pathogens can survive. I am looking forward to a trustworthy electric pressure cooker as I'm nervous of the stove top models.

[@suemagyari2992]

@@livingwellanyway3279 It would help to first look at Rose Red Homestead's video, as she explains everything in depth. As for many items that the USDA does not approve, it is not always because they do not work, but because they have, admittedly, not devoted any money to do the testing on that item YET. Rather than devote any more energy to this, I would always say that each person should do their own research, make their own decisions based on what they are comfortable with. All I was doing was giving those who were interested another resource for doing so.

[@livingwellanyway3279]

@@suemagyari2992 It's always good to have different perspectives. Thank you!

[@raincoast9010]

So what do you do with the egg layers when they are done laying? Also, can you keep meat birds and get fertilized eggs from them and hatch them out or put them in an incubator? Thanks,

[@Silverstreamhomecrafts]

You can hatch eggs from older style meat birds no issue. Commercial like Cornish cross, ross, Cobb, are very hard to breed for Ross/Cobb and I think you just can't breed Cornish at home, they might be an unstable hybrid (different results from their offspring) but they tend to be too big and unhealthy to breed, too fat, bad legs, don't lay etc

[@dustinjohnson7728]

I've had Cornish cross hens that laid but they were very inconsistent layers and all of them had problems laying, as a matter of fact I've had 3 hens die from prolapse trying to lay including one that also laid several multi-yolk eggs. If you're going to try breeding meat birds you need to keep the first few eggs they lay to incubate then harvest them.

[@wandaburnell4345]

Canningin instapot. I thought this was about chickens

[@katrinagarland5219]

I have to disagree... the electric canner I have is wonderful (Nesco). It doesn't jiggle or make noise as you stated. It is NOT scary. I love my Nesco electric canner and highly recommend it.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

There is NO electric pressure canner on the market that has been tested and approved by the USDA, regardless of what their marketing package says.

[@katrinagarland5219]

@@HomesteadingFamily They wouldn't be allowed to be sold if the U.S. Government had a problem with them. So, they are in a sense "Approved".

[@bbraskey8521]

Justin Rhodes does a fermented chick starter & vinegar, garlic, honey water. Any experience with this? T/y.

[@sheilafarmer81763]

Hey guys we been raising our own chicken s for 4 years . by momma chicks. They really are the best way to raise baby chicks...what do you think is the best brown egg layers.

[@judybonish723]

Do you have a video to teach butchering chickens without using a lot of expensive equipment?

[@bbraskey8521]

Can you put chickens in the wooded areas, & not just pasture? Just wondering if that would help with shade keeping them cool, perhaps alternating days or even during the day. Georgia gets really hot in the summer.

[@Silverstreamhomecrafts]

My chickens love wooded areas, don't forget they're originally forest animals. Only thing is it's hard to see them so make sure you have really good fencing for predators

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Predators may have easier access because tree branches can hang across fencing, giving raccoons & possums a potential route. Also, airborne predators will be harder to protect against. Also, you may find eggs all over outside, if they don’t go into a coop at night. Beyond that, I agree with your assessment that the woods will keep them cooler.

[@deborahw.5980]

Do you have any videos on raising worms for compost and soil?

[@lauraburruss2217]

I had friends who used an old double sink. Framed it up. Lidded it. Piped it up to a five gallon bucket that was lidded. I think the drain had a filter or sponge in it. So, win win worm tea for garden plants (super feed), compost, suppliment, red worms (chicken snack), great way to use coffee grounds, paper shred and veggie food scraps.

[@lauraburruss2217]

I took plastic flower pots, drilled holes in them and made mini worm beds in the garden. Buried the pots, used the drip trays for lids. When weeding I'd add weeds, plant cuttings, fruit, veggies and water on occasion. My little gardeners; worms return if spoiled..lol

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

What do you do with the water glassing for eggs.liquid. is it a hasard.?

[@ardenpeters4386]

are their animal feed coops up there?

[@gwenjohnston-petrarch5071]

I have been raising chickens for a few years now but I have run into a problem that I'm not sure how to handle. I have 30 young birds who have just started laying. What I'm finding is that some of the birds (not sure which ones) are eating the eggs. I'll go to the nest boxes and find plenty of eggs (which I'm happy about for the end of January) but I continually see eggy-wet areas where there were eggs. Yesterday five of the eggs seemed to be have been predated. I'm not sure how to combat this. Any advice?

[@grammym1643]

What do you think is the best egg layer chicken? We live in Colorado 6800 ft.

[@Jenniferlsweet]

I had white leggorns in the black forest at 7800 feet up on a ridge, chicken wire coop in the barn they did great, raccoons can tear up that chicken wire

[@larrybertgin4672]

Can I ferment crumble feed for chickens instead of pellets

[@rammur1]

I paid $25 each for 1 year chickens

[@suehendrickson5367]

What chicken feed do you buy?

[@bbraskey8521]

How many meat chickens does your family harvest each year? We have 102 Cornish Cross, & 25 different egg layers, coming. We have chick shaws & electric fencing, 12 acres.

[@user-zu3qc4tm2u]

Hi! What do you do with laying chickens when they stop laying?

[@debrapilchard7020]

We stew them. But it is hard to do because I love my girls.BUT I have one that is 3yrs old and she is still here😜

[@47retta]

I bought an All American canner about 9 years ago and put it in storage. I have never used it. Does it still need to be checked before i use it?

[@Jodi9810]

If you use the weighted jiggler (rather than the needle gauge) to tell when it's up to the correct pressure, that is always accurate without needing to be checked. I learned this from Carolyn's canning class. It's the needle/dial gauges that have to be checked every year to make sure they're still calibrated.

[@47retta]

@@Jodi9810 thank you!

[@amandar7719]

Hi from the UK. I’d like to pressure-can my paste tomatoes harvest in my Presto Pressure canner because I don’t like the taste of plain tomatoes canned with the lemon juice required for water canning. My question is, what length of time should I PRESSURE can 240ml/Ball jelly jar tomatoes or quarts without the need to add citric/5-6% lemon juice. I’m under 500ft above sea level and.... have the proper pressure canning equipment including ample supply of Ball lids.

[@Beyondthisveil]

Hope this helps from the National Home Preservation Center (look up this resource on line for a lot of great info) including pressure canning and water bath for tomatoes. I pressure can them too rather than water bath for same reasons. It’s 20 min @ 10lbs. Best to you.

[@amandar7719]

@@Beyondthisveil Bless you, Gail. Thank you so much. I do keep an eye on US Govt advice but not recently. That’s made me sooooo happy. Really grateful. I don’t mind using lemon/vinegar in tomato based salsa, it’s just the tomato juice, crushed tomatoes, passata and sauce that I’m at odds with. x

[@Beyondthisveil]

@@amandar7719 your very welcome and I concur. I don’t like it either for pizza or marinara. God bless you as well - FYI I’ve never had a problem with it and been doing it for a long time. Also, I’m in south Louisiana almost to New Orleans and we are well below sea level so pressure and time seems about the same but please double check for your area. All Gods blessings!

[@amandar7719]

@@Beyondthisveil My pressure canner instructions has everything at 11lbs for my elevation. So I’ll follow at your suggestion and add 1lb to the pressure. I will revisit the US govt website to check on updates nearer the time. I had heard that there was a debate as to pressure canning v WB canning for tomatoes and was surprised the guidance didn’t include PC alternative when I checked last year. Thank you again. A xx

[@marcusburns4377]

Do chickens develop angel wing due to to high of protein like ducks do?

[@aceshigh235]

Instant pot max has a canning setting?!?

[@susantaylor8507]

Well I just got my 30 chicks in but I need to figure out an inexpensive new chicken coop because when I can I want to build a large chicken house but lumber is to high now to do so

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Check out Little House Off Grid’s vblog. They have some neat ideas for keeping their chickens safe. They use very little lumber, too. One thing is using Corro-Plast, or sheets of corrugated plastic. Another is using corrugated metal. Then protecting the chicken yard with canopies (like you’d use for shade in your yard). Check him out!

[@breezybest6064]

What do you do with egg layers that don't lay much anymore? Especially if you don't know how to butcher them.

[@lauraburruss2217]

Pets or you could put an ad out to sell them or for someone to do the butcher as barter for some meat in return?

[@breezybest6064]

@@lauraburruss2217 Thank you for this answer! I just know this has always been a question of mine that hasn't ever gotten answered before. I'm glad to know people keep them as pets sometimes. Every time I watch anything about keeping chickens for eggs I hear they only lay for a few years and then you get more chickens and I was always so confused about what you do with the older chickens. They aren't just old crops that you pull out haha! I like the idea of finding someone who will butcher them for me if I needed that as well. Thank you!

[@Jenniferlsweet]

how do you raise your enormous brood? child rearing isnt easy and you both have tons of work to do. How do you find the time?

[@hereigns7221]

Carolyn has a great class on household management and how to find peace and margin in your home.

[@amazinggraceranch6793]

We had a chicken tractor with chicken wire that we made. The neighbors dog got loose and came over and broke through the wire and killed our buff rooster and the other 2 hens ran out and he cornered them on our deck. He injured one and the other was in shock. After a few weeks the other 2 passed away also. This was our first time raising baby chicks. We were so attached to them . I’m not sure I want to go through that again. ☹️

[@dustinjohnson7728]

I had that problem with our own dogs but my solution was run a single strand of white polywire around the bottom of the tractor and hook it up to a plug-in electric fence charger. We left it on for a couple weeks and after that the dogs associated the white wire with getting shocked and we didn't even have to plug it in and had zero dog-related fatalities.

[@biorna]

I have 4 normal brown chickens since a year now. One is breathing heavily/wheezing... already 4 days of antibiotic (tetracycline) but doesn't help Anyone any idea?

[@Silverstreamhomecrafts]

Any discharge from the nose? Could be infective bronchitis

[@tibbs4000]

I know this has nothing to do with chickens, but as a hair stylist I have to just say...to the Mrs...you have such a cute youthful face but your hair is outdated. Your part could come just an inch or 2 closer to the center of your scalp and just a couple inches off the length would probably feel so much lighter. Especially since you do a lot of heavy work on your farm. Love watching your vlog!

[@JaniceAtkins]

i want to know why my chickens dont lay every day

[@tittiger]

How are you going to feed chickens when the soy runs out? Also ducks are a much better choice particularity Ananacona ducks if you do you due diligence....

[@zackclement4168]

When the soy runs out? Mine live off of free ranging and food scraps...

[@bbraskey8521]

I’m so exhausted & nauseous during this pregnancy with Baby #7. We live in GA, have raised beds, which helps with bending over, & are getting meat & laying chickens. I’m trying to decide where to spend my energy in the garden, & what to let go this year. My husband & I both feel the political climate is detrimental to the nation & have a strong desire to put away food this year. He is thinking about building a root cellar, but we’re not sure the investment would be worth it this year. We already have grains & beans stored in buckets, & freezers with meat. I would love to know what you think. 🤗

[@haileybowman2958]

Have you ever had chickens eat the eggs?

[@renamaemcdonald2075]

We used to have oystershell in the house or pen for them to strengthen the egg shells. We found that they started to eat their eggs when the shells got thin & soft

[@haileybowman2958]

@@renamaemcdonald2075 thank you! We are trying the ostershell. Did your chickens stop eating the eggs completely? I've heard sometimes they won't stop once they start...

[@renamaemcdonald2075]

@@haileybowman2958 sorry for the late reply. It disappeared on me. It was a long time ago but usually it stopped the hens from eating eggs if caught soon enough. It's best to gather as many times in the day as possible for awhile so the hens don't have much chance of eating them - especially in the morning.

[@haileybowman2958]

@@renamaemcdonald2075 thank you! I am taking all advice. So far it's working :)

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

Hazard?ous

[@drdianneLc]

InstaNT Pot is how it is supposed to be pronounced according to the company that makes it. Just an FYI.

[@non-gmo]

Eh....

[@nickstevens885]

Sorry you tokala