How We Raise and Store a Year's Supply of Chicken for a Family of 6 (start to finish)

[@Jato-v7j]

I am from Gambia West Africa. These videos are therapeutic, seeing people grow what they eat brings so much joy to my heart. Keep it up

[@sethgraham4836]

What is it like over there?

[@Jato-v7j]

@@sethgraham4836 it’s a hot country with lots of potentials. We import most of our poultry products but that can change

[@INVICTUSROMANI]

@@Jato-v7j well you can start to make a change for a better community through agriculture brother! it will be well worth the hard work! love from west virginia usa

[@Jato-v7j]

@ that’s the goal, thank you brother

[@INVICTUSROMANI]

@@Jato-v7j no problem. I’m trying to do the same thing here. I’ve got chickens and ducks so far, it’s been a blessing to have them. I wish you the best of luck

[@patrickwilliamson29]

Id say losing food from a freezer that big isn't an issue. If one gave out, as long as you found out quickly, you'd have at least 12 hours to make a plan. Dont forget you literally have 100s of kilos of ice (frozen meat) in a massive cooler, it'll stay cold for a while as long as you keep the lid closed

[@KorakBrosepf]

Yup, the biggest issue with losing a freezer is if you're on vacation and it's multiple days of being dead before being found. Worst case you end up cooking an insane amount of chicken over the course of a few days and gift / sell to neighbors and family.

[@Rob89139]

Time lapsing the entire process of raising meat birds was a brilliant idea Cody. I especially like the idea of sectioning the birds out for storage and now I'm hoping we see a video on how the bone broth is made because where I buy my poultry they often have backs available for bone broth but no recipe.

[@fubartheguildmaster1573]

Roast the backs in the oven until browned. boil with aromatics such as thyme, rosemary, garlic, ginger, onion, leek, S&P, etc. The aromatics you use will depend on what flavor you are going for. Asian/ ramen stock will have ginger, star anise, garlic, miso, soy sauce, allspice, etc. Something a bit more country fare could be achieved with just the holy trinity (2 parts onion + 1 part carrot + 1 part celery) + garlic and S&P. Modify to desired taste. The most important thing is roasting the backs first to really unlock that delicious chicken flavor.

[@JClemonade]

I had our first set of chicks shipped last week. Ordered 10 chicks. They were hatched and in the mail monday and didnt arrive until friday! 4 were dead upon arrival and the 5 of the 6 remaining were clinging to life and couldnt even stand. I tried so hard to save them but slowly they all died that day. I had one that somehow is still doing great. Our little miracle! Thankfully tractor supply has chicks still so we could get her some friends.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

That is so sad

[@brandynash1409]

Call the hatchery. They will replace them.

[@diyfferent]

Avoid buying shipped chicks during the hottest times of the year.

[@lily29295]

You did let the hatchery know of the issue?

[@dig_grow_cook]

I got an incubator so I could hatch at home now and just ship the eggs. Problem is you won’t know how many you will get. I had a great hatch rate last time and got more than I bargained for 😆

[@michaeldubeck2623]

As far as vacuum sealing the chicken (or anything really), I dont have one either but what I like to do is fill one of the sides of my sink with water and close the ziplock bag almost all the way (with whatever food that you are dealing within it). I then slowly lower the bag into the water until its almost going into the bag where I left it open. The water pushes the air out and then I seal the ziplock the rest of the way before any water gets in.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s a great idea!

[@thewitchshomestead]

My dad taught me this trick after he learned it for freezing fish he’d caught. I agree, it works a treat 👌🏼

[@nicoler9522]

Labels are important. I also learned this the hard way. I get beef from my Dad and he had to use a different place to process the cows that just use butcher paper and write the cut with marker. The place he used before had nice labels with the date and everything printed. So with the butcher paper, i need to bring a sharpie with me to write the year when I bring it home. I also watched my Grandma make an apple pie for lunch instead of the meat pie she thought she was making because she didnt label lol

[@lizardfreak321]

My wife and I did our first set of 23 meat chickens a couple months ago. What an amazing learning experience! I love your system setup! Everything is very well thought out. We’re new to homesteading (just over a year now), and I know it takes time to build/set up your system. Always adjusting little by little as you learn. Love the content! Definitely stealing that chicken tractor idea

[@FromGardentoTableV]

"Wow, the guide on growing vegetables at 5:30 is so detailed and easy to understand! Thank you for sharing this experience!

[@jaredpatterson1738]

Great video. Feeling inspired. We just bought 5 acres and are about to close in the next couple weeks. This is one of the many things we want to do to be self sufficient.

[@heribertocandelaria2140]

Congrats. All the best. The greatest life on a large farm

[@alittledrycreek]

It is such a healthier way of life. Congratulations

[@margueritag.1993]

You did a great job tying each section together. Very cohesive episode 😊

[@cuocsonglangnoigogang]

Your dedication to preparing delicious meals warms our hearts and fills our bellies with joy. Every dish you create is a testament to your culinary artistry and care. And I am Floating Village Life

[@catracampolieto8989]

I live in a village. Can't have chickens. But my friend lives in the country. She's going to raise the chickens organically. She's raising 10 chickens for me. I'm going to help her harvest them. Not sure if I can do the deed, but I'll process them. I do have a garden. We barter sometimes. I love it.

[@morethanfarmers]

Great way to get started!

[@myurbangarden7695]

I have a friend with 10 acres. I give her a deposit and pay a percentage of the feed and help her process. I get some birds and she gets some $$$. I feel it's a fair exchange.

[@irvarobidoux8544]

I have to tell you when you mentioned putting chickens in the freezer, I expected that you would doit all! Imagine my surprise seeing you take the chickens some where to get them processed! I had no idea that there was such a place! Here in rural Colorado if you raise chickens to put in the freezer, it is our job to do all of it! Which is a horrible job that the men in this family refuse to do! You are so very lucky to be able to have the chickens done that way! Love your videos and look forward to each one!

[@alanbrown5886]

Excellent video, very well done. You made it easy to follow and have everything broken down. We haven't had chickens in a long time, and cant wait until we are in a position to do it again.

[@venomsailor]

You all should think about fermenting your feed even for your broilers. It’s way more nutritious, it allows the chickens to absorb way more nutrients and cuts your feed bill in half. Love your videos, keep them coming!

[@GoldStandardKennels-Rick]

How do you do that?

[@zedmeinhardt3404]

There are many videos on KZbin. Some people just soak the feed (better than nothing) and others soak for 1-3 days. Watched one where they leave a small amount of fermented grain for next batch like sourdough. Just add a days worth everyday as you feed chickens. ​@GoldStandardKennels-Rick

[@johnnylong8821]

Great video and inspiration, One observation try painting the chicken mesh black, makes it more visible looking into it.

[@AbelFarm]

It is always exiting to see those who are ahead. As someone starting this vids are very inspiring. I will continue to work and also share videos

[@JcUDE]

The woman who taught me about doing chicken said that after butchering you can clean, bag, but keep in a cooler with ice for 36 hours to help tenderize the meat like when you hang beef. We then after the 36 hours put them in the freezer and they are more tender.

[@dig_grow_cook]

Yes resting them. We did some at 24 and some at 48 but I don’t think I could tell a difference.

[@gamerk3l116]

I maybe have a dumb question, but I’m trying to learn so I hope you’ll forgive me lol. What does being “tender” really mean for chicken and what’s the benefit?

[@5GreenAcres]

I do the same thing. I haven't really noticed a difference either but....This year I am culling my cornish cross at 7 weeks not 8. I am aiming for a little over 3 lb birds just like you buy in the store. I think that is the key.

[@dig_grow_cook]

@@gamerk3l116 I think the goal is to get past the rigor mortis stage so the muscles relax again.

[@KarlPoorbaugh]

​@gamerk3l116 you have never eaten an old chicken or a rooster. Chicken can be tough. I can't imagine his 10 week old ones would be, but the roosters might soon get that way.

[@sandramorton5510]

It is a pleasure to watch every video you make.

[@chrisBou007]

Cody…great job on the details of chicken farming… you make a great farmer too!!! Been watching y’all from the start… great job doing life!!!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!

[@JK-jf7xq]

We use the poultry shrink wrap bags for whole chickens. You just dunk them in a pot of hot water to shrink wrap it. Our Freedom Rangers average close to 6 1/2 lbs each at 12 weeks old. Less than $3/lb.

[@myurbangarden7695]

Your comment is helpful. Thank you

[@susanbaker902]

My DIL introduced me to your channel. I love your content and quality of life. I will continue to watch and share you with others.

[@townrurallife]

This was such an impressive and informative video! It's amazing to see the level of planning and dedication it takes to raise and store an entire year's supply of chicken for a big family. From start to finish, this really breaks down each step and makes it feel achievable. Your commitment to providing quality food for your family is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing this journey with all the details and tips!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@tarrahstrid4781]

I've had amazing luck with Cackle hatchery out of missouri. After a devastating 2023 year with other hatcherys They are super great. They always send extra chicks Just in case of loss

[@janetkoball44]

So fast to get a plump chicken on the table! And you can't beat home made chicken broth. It's the tastiest. Love your visits with all of us. Thanks. See you all next time. Love from Central Oklahoma

[@morethanfarmers]

For sure!

[@Chunkybannasoup.]

21:04 my parents have a vacuum sealer and it’s amazing ! It’s definitely worth it I’d say

[@victorenecahill9840]

Thank you for what you do. Just a tip about the cornish just take there feed away an hour before dark. I have been raising them for 25 years.

[@chasingmoonlightfarm]

I'm gonna throw this out there. We raise 2, 25 ct, batches of cornish cross each year...solely in 2, 5x8, stationary chicken tractors. Is it ideal? Of course not. But we raise them on non-gmo feed, in a clean tractor(we top off bedding 2x per day, and clean completely every 4-5 days...which would equal moving them twice on grass), we offer grass and weeds..clover, etc. as a supplement, so they do get grass. They are under shade and weather protection as well. The ONLY time we lost more than a couple of birds was the year it was over 100°F and we overfed them...we follow a 12 hours on, 12 hours off feeding schedule after 3wks of age...and that year I totally forgot that! So, it was hot...and they were way too big. NINE died! Our fault. My birds are always healthy and happy. So. There IS another way to raise them without a large acreage. The key is not over-crowdi g, quality feed, great shelter, and CLEAN bedding daily. Oh, and they are always close to 6lbs at butcher(we learned to butcher them ourselves from Sow the Land here on YT), at 8wks. One year, we had to wait until 10 weeks, and they were all over 7lbs...and some were 8lbs! Welp Hatchery is where we always get our chicks from. I just don't want anyone to think they can't do this because of space.

[@Victoriaxx08]

I’m on a quarter acre. I raised 36 chicken, turkey and ducks on this with zero issues! They really don’t need much space. Everyone should have chickens! It’s so unbelievably easy

[@5GreenAcres]

I also raise cornish cross. I tried both and like the CC. I have a stationary coop/brooder that I built a run for them out of hardwire. When they are feathered I open the doors for them to free range and eat grass and bugs. My CC's always are fully feathered. They don't look sick. They forage around just like my laying birds. I am butchering at 3-4 lbs this year. I have found that the 5 -7 lb birds get too tough. We'll see. It is my experiment this year. Processing in 7 weeks not 8.

[@D.J.60]

I've got just over an acre. How much land do I need to dedicate for 30 hens and 2 roosters? I'm trying to raise them, a small garden, and a mini jersey on this land. I've got farm cats and am going to get an Australian Shepherd mix for a flock guard dog. I've got nothing but the cats so far. They came with me, and it's too late in the season. I can't grow much of anything. It's mid-August.

[@lisagrafton2529]

We had 3 broilers that we couldn't get butchered until November. Thankfully, we put their feed up at the top of a ramp, they had to climb, and exercise, to eat. I have a picture of one of my sons holding one, dressed out and frozen, that weighed 19 pounds! The boys who butchered them said they normally would have broken their legs at that weight! We had several turkeys done at the same time, that weighed 36 pounds, dressed out! We had to cut them in half, to cook them!!!!

[@Rabbiton]

The scene where the chook escapes with your son - classic : )

[@anzonettecoetzer2465]

I came to see if someone commented on this 😂 loved it!

[@madnicmomify]

I love that they show this stuff, keeps it real!

[@morethanfarmers]

😂

[@camicri4263]

That is great! Thank you guys! It's hard to dispose of what you raised but, you know how they lived and quality is key! Blessings!

[@dragonrider19]

Thanks for the cost breakdown. Not sure if you do this but you could add in the cost of things like bone meal if you do that too. Simple enough. Boil the bones for broth. Dry them and grind them into powder. Stuff is like $8/lb. May be able to do the same for feathers if your butcher keeps them.

[@chinwerussellart]

It is not just about how much you save, it is about the quality of the meat you get.

[@LTCFarm-tv]

I love the way you guys take care of the little chickens Thanks for sharing I love your videos

[@woodspirit98]

Order a freezer alarm for about $13.00. you get two sensors. I keep one in the fridge and on in the freezer. Its magnetic and sticks to the door of the refrigerator. You set the sensors with a high lo temp. Very easy. Youll always know exactly what the freezer and refrigerator temps are just by looking at the fridge door. If they go above or below your settings the alarm sounds.

[@Lcshell]

This is the first video of y’all that I’ve watched and I love it! You guys are amazing and I am so inspired and looking forward to building my chicken coops!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! So glad it was helpful!😊

[@fetch33]

I use poultry shrink bags. It totally eliminates freezer burn, and it is very easy.

[@chrisBou007]

Never heard of such a thybut sounds practical!!!

[@jogo6571]

Trust me My hubby got me a vacuum sealer, BEST INVESTMENT EVER!! I use it for everything !! Great video

[@dianehill6612]

Great video Cody! You guys always impress. I love watching Michelle do all her cooking segments. I’m always starving when she’s done cooking. Yummy 😊

[@morethanfarmers]

😁

[@shannondarby1342]

I definitely recommend canning some of the meat just in case any of the freezers went out or if you just don't feel like cooking too much one night

[@woundedwarriorartist6315]

Our first set of broilers go to the butcher Wednesday! We haven't raised our own meat before, this video helped!

[@morethanfarmers]

Congrats! Enjoy 😊

[@LaidBackHomesteader]

I'm 3 weeks into growing my first batch h of meat birds. I laughed when you said your trying to make a video over 3 months because I'm trying to do the same. I feel your pain! I'm attempting this new format when I normally do weekly vlogs. You feel like you're repeating yourself over and over. I think you did a great job,fair play

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!

[@mannuelchava]

Thank you for the wisdom. Stay high frequency and high vibrations

[@sherriekemper1828]

This was great. Really informative and a terrific resource so thanks for putting it together.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Rewatching for chick raising notes. Also agree that Thrive Market is great. With no time to shop for speciallity baking sugar (& snacks for gluten free diet grandkids), it's home delivery is awesome.😊

[@tamararobinson2069]

So much work to put this video together! Thank You - so very informative🤎

[@thisnthatcormak]

Another great video. Someday I'll be doing this! Thank you for breaking down the costs in the description.

[@laurabradley1992]

You both have great talents. You seem to make a great team. Keep up the good work!

[@gamerk3l116]

I’ve been waiting for this video excitedly since you first talked about it yay! I will definitely save this for the future when I have my own space. Thank you so much!

[@morethanfarmers]

Awesome!

[@chantallabelle4609]

Great video!! Very informative and seeing the process from start to finish was a great idea.

[@johnmordini8824]

Just a thought. I worked at a chicken farm with over 200,000 chickens. You’re moving crates are great. As far as your door idea the ones we move them in we’re about the same size 8 cages high on wheels the ends hinged up like a doggie door so they swung in, but when it came down, it stopped when it got to the edge of the crate and didn’t swing both ways that you can push them in when you pull your hand out the door swings down. Since you mentioned you were going to redo your door, I thought I would throw that out there.

[@christinetjonsienpien-qu4yp]

Happy Monday from south America Suriname🇸🇷

[@karensmith3816]

Chamber Sealer is better than vacuum sealer! If a vacuum sealer gets water in the motor it's done. That doesn't happen with chamber sealers. Chamber Sealer was one of the best purchases I've ever made for keeping meats, soups, broths, vegetables, and fruits fresh! LEM Max Vac great!!

[@nicstokes236]

This is so cool and makes me want to do this at home! But just had a look at the costs and pricing, for me in Australia free range (pastured) chicken at the supermarket cost equivalent to only $3/lb! I don't get why it could be so much more expensive in US? I thought it would be definitely more expensive in Australia I have even found a place around the corner that sells broiler chicks for $3.30 each but I think it would still work out to cost the same as buying from the store

[@105cathy]

Really enjoyed this video! You did a great job without info overload. Thank you.

[@debbieyzuel7887]

What a nice life you have. Your place looks beautiful. You kids do such a great job.

[@fonk_sr]

Try using the heat shrink bags; we use them for our chicken and they are amazing. No freezer burn or moisture in the bag, and it’s like a vacuum sealed bag but much cheaper, easier, and quicker to use.

[@patriciawangeci]

Am addicted to you guys . Wishing you long life. From kenya

[@BeckyLinsley]

Not sure how far you are from Meyer Hatchery - but it’s a gorgeous drive. We pick all our chicks up at their facility and we have had great luck with very little loss. Out of 75 chicks, we lost 3 over the entire time.

[@thepurplebead]

We did broilers for the first time two years ago. We still have some left in the freezer and they still taste just as good. How you store them helps a lot with that. I thought I’d have a really hard time with butchering something I raised too, but I have the same understanding as the you do: giving them a good life, best I can and certainly better than the alternative. We did Cornish cross, and we ended up with Turkey sized chickens. But this next time we will be doing another breed so we don’t run up against the issues you were discussing. We were fortunate to not really deal with any health issues, but we sure could have. Thank you for noting the breed you raised. We will definitely be considering rainbow rangers for our next round.

[@margomoore4527]

I have a SMALL amount of experience with chickens; my parents had a hobby farm in TX for 20 years and they had bantam black cochins which were just adorable. They were a gift from the poultry people when they bought a dozen Weeder geese. Two chicks turned into a dozen or so. My parents couldn’t bear to think of eating them, so they just kept them for their cute little banty eggs. I would love to have some chickens, but we live in a townhome and my husband is not interested in moving to where we could have livestock and he’d hate it anyway. You have to have a partner who is on the same page. Also we are in our ‘70’s. Best wishes to those who can!

[@willy-b2u]

We raise and process our own chickens. We do the Cornish cross, but process at seven weeks. Works great for us. Two batches a year. We don’t do a crazy amount each time. But we also raise steers and pigs, they go to the processor though.

[@kellie5393]

I can’t do broilers at my home, but I did order 4 pasture raised chicken broilers from a farm by me. I’m excited to have fresh chicken. I can’t wait to see how much better it will taste.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s great!

[@jessicapower8585]

I just got a Thrive delivery today!! Love them!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Great information! Thank you for sharing. Just think how nutrient dense the meat is. Sunshine, fresh air, bugs & grass. Yeah!

[@morethanfarmers]

Absolutely!

[@kimcarrots]

Those loofahs are growing so big Michelle! (I saw them in the background.) :)

[@dnawormcastings]

Love your farm set up 🇦🇺❤️

[@lylacrawford1827]

Love your videos. Bless your sweet family.

[@MG-wx8yx]

It's so refreshing watching videos like this. I've been watching plenty of them lately as I want to buy a piece of land and keep chicken, rabbits and goats for foods and eventual for business, 20 acres will be enough. In Tanzania, land is not expensive compared to other countries, you can 1 acre for approximately 107 USD. It's so satisfying doing farm work like this, I will be enjoying like this brother in the video.

[@morethanfarmers]

Wow that’s awesome! Hope it goes well for you!

[@averagegoonracing1784]

I met you guys today at Don Wood Chevy in Logan Ohio! If everyone did a little farming/gardening wed be in a lot better shape!

[@kodichristine2659]

Love this informative video! We have done meat chickens for the last 2 years, but we have to butcher them ourselves! I wish we had someone else to do them for us! Haha Have y’all ever butchered them?? I love your set up though! It looks great!!

[@Cody_Ramer]

If you get a vacuum sealer, definitely get a chamber vacuum sealer, so much better, although it is a couple hundred more dollars it is definitely worth it..

[@scoop2591]

Love you having a separate freezer for each meat. To get more air out of the bags get a large pot like a cold bath canner and fill it about 1/4 full of ice then put cold water in it. Leave enough room so the water will not spill out when you put a bag with chicken in the water....keep this water very cold adding ice/water as needed for food safety. This will not seal the bag but will get a lot of air out of the bag. Place the chicken pieces you want in a zip lock and close the bag about 1/4 way across then slowly submerge the bag to almost the closure . Zip close when you cant get any more air out, I do not like the zipper on top bags, prefer the 2 strips across. Close your bag and THEN lift it out of the water. Better seal. Enjoyed your vid very much !

[@pamelalambe1356]

Such an effecient farm. Yes, you have to do freezers in one thirds and you know it. ( just a few pieces of hard cardboard and signs would do). Also recommend canning some.

[@sytytyspala]

You say that you have a mold problem in the vegetable garden. My grandmother taught me that you should never use leaves as cover in the vegetable garden because mold accumulates on them. Use wood chips instead, willow is good. Or planer shavings, but not oak. And for the BUGS, plant with wormwood, decorative cress, St. John's wort, velvet flower, celery, sage around your vegetable garden, these are repellent plants. And you should have a compost with sections, 3 at least, this way materials in the compost will burn hotter and the soil will be better and mold free. All the best and a lot of harvest to you from the land of Santa Claus. (Not from North Pole)🎅

[@TheJoyfulMom]

Thank you for this video! We will raise our own next year so this was helpful! For our freezers we have a thermometer in each and can see the temps on the display (we keep that on the kitchen counter) and then if it drops below a certain temp an alarm goes off. We bought it on Amazon and it’s worth it so save all our food!

[@morethanfarmers]

Cool! We should definitely get one of those 😏

[@aaronevans4963]

Excellent video, you all are inspiring people!

[@arthurdejager1775]

Awesome video!!! I doubt that fridge full of chicken would last 3 months on my turf hahahahaha. Could please advise more on the processing side of things!!

[@kathyputman5160]

You could use dividers and put some of each in each one.

[@HSmith-rn7fq]

I love you guys EVERY TIME.

[@jasong5087]

Thanks for the video! I had only just started considered looking for a processor (the other videos out there are DIY), that seems like I can get buy off from the family on that much easier than doing it ourselves.

[@nutran5534]

Thank you we are trying this love your family especially your wife, she has the cutest and sweetest laughs learning a lot from y’all ❤

[@madnicmomify]

I close on my new place later this month, 3 acres in Preble Co, You have inspired me to try this next year. I can work on getting equipment over the winter

[@morethanfarmers]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@shavonnelaine4327]

When you said that it made you happy to give these chickens a good life...change my mind about this a lot. Also in lots of homesteading videos I watch they do the processing, it can sometimes make you feel like your not doing it right if you dont do every single thing. Thank you for sharing the investment you have made into "doing what works for your family"❤❤❤ love from the West Coast of Canada

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s so good to hear.. thank you for sharing! That’s exactly what I had hoped to get across.

[@doinacampean9132]

Well, now that you have all that fertilized land, you could start growing your own chicken feed, like in the old days, you know, before the chicken feed stores were invented.. :) What's the worst case scenario? The wheat won't reach maturity come first frost? I think your layers will happily eat that.

[@jaelofthevillage]

I am bringing my first chicks home tomorrow,so this video came at the right time. I can't wait to see them turn to food.

[@morethanfarmers]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@banksy2870]

What you are doing is amazing! I wish I had the resources to do all that. I wouldn't grow chickens to be butchered but, I would like to raise them for eggs. I will feel awful eating something that I know as a living being. I guess that is the effect of having lived a life where everything is bought from a supermarket. You are so disconnected from the source of food that you don't realise all the things that go into it. I would never have a chicken grown in factory farms where they are so badly treated.

[@thewaywardirishícan]

Michelle’s face when you were talking about poopy butt lmao 😂😂😂😂

[@morethanfarmers]

Wondered who all would catch that 😂 It was because in the part of the video I cut off right before that I actually picked the “poopy stuff” off 😁

[@heidibear44]

This was such a great, informative and very well explained video. Thank you.

[@morethanfarmers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BaliFoodTreePlanter]

Thanks for budget. Can you guess at why it used to be $5 to raise broiler for 42 days. Is it feed? What weight are you aiming for at 10 weeks and why? How much do your local stores sell 42 day old broilers for?

[@BaliFoodTreePlanter]

It looks like they don't read their comments, nor improve their analysis for us.

[@dhansonranch]

Good video Codi! You explained it well. I like the wheel set up you have for the tractor -- I use logs...lol. It works! Have been thinking of building another tractor because although I made mine 3 foot tall and have 1/3 of the roof lift off, I still have to crawl in some times. Great info. I let my meat birds rest for a minimum of 4 hours in ice water before bagging and will sometimes put in the fridge for 24 - 36 hours for the bigger birds - gives them a chance to condition (similar to hanging beef). I may part mine out this year as it certainly has it's benefits I would imagine. Good job!

[@AHomesteadingHustle]

I enjoy seeing how different people raise their meat birds! I'm literally uploading a video right now from our harvest this past weekend. We have been raising cornish cross but are interested in seeking a more heritage breed to raise also. We raised red Rangers once and found their meat to be fatty and they were small. I love these transport boxes you use for bringing the chicks to the tractor. Did you make these, Cody?

[@morethanfarmers]

We’ve always loved the Rangers 😊 Yes, I made those.

[@catherinelittlefield9483]

Jason Roades put his chicken in a bag and then he twist the bag and put them in hot water in a bucket and it draws the air out then he ties them up and takes the air out so it is ready for the freezer

[@5GreenAcres]

You mean Justin Rhodes? The bags you speak of are a special bag you order. They work great.

[@edie5285]

I really like your chicken tractor. We have been using the Joel Sallatin’s style. I would love to see the numbers you came up of your expenses

[@morethanfarmers]

In the description!

[@lindabyrne1645]

Enjoyed watching the channel!

[@dart336]

Protip from a Harbor Freight regular: they sell cords and lights, solar and security. I wouldn't recommend their solar panels though, they are comically under powered. For those I recommend getting a group of friends and ordering a bulk pallet of panels from San Tan Solar because the shipping is expensive. Wait for sales at HF, and you can get most of the parts needed from there and get your brooder set up for solar.

[@jimmiemeeks9795]

Appreciate y'all for sharing 😊 maybe just make it a double door ? Love the crate idea just two doors for easier loading

[@theDoctorium]

This is wonderful. i would love to live this kinda life❤ . Best wishes brother😊.

[@anastasianickerson8291]

Any advice on finding a place to process them? Would love to do this on our half acre but unsure about processing them ourselves with limited space and equipment. Thanks for the super informative video as always!!

[@jenniferm3572]

Watch videos and you can do it. The best way to learn is to jump in and get’er done. A good skill to have if raising your own. It’s how we did it and so glad we did 👍👍

[@marthabowser501]

Ask the kids that show meat birds at your county fair...that's how we found ours....years ago....and they are still in business.

[@Just-Nikki]

If you have a farmers market near you, ask the vendors selling chicken where they get it done. Also a local butcher shop could possibly point you in the right direction. Ask deer hunters that you know.

[@venomsailor]

Take a cup of wheat and soak it overnight in water. Then drain the water and every 12 hours for 3 more days rinse it. It will start absorbing moisture and begin the germination phase. On day 4 I feed it and my girls love it. 1 cup of wheat will easily swell up to fill a quart jar.

[@Fourbrothersfarm]

Great work. Love the wheel-lock setup on the chicken tractor.