my homestead dream begins | meet the new arrivals!

#dreamlife #homesteaddreams #offgridhomestead
Finally my homestead dream begins as our first animals arrive at our off-grid farm (can I call it a farm now??). But am I cut out for it? Guess we’ll find out!
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[@frankiemarley2811]

What are you thinking of having the Chickens so far away from where you are? That coop looks torturous for the poor Chicken’s feet, it’s far too small, where’s the straw? Where do they perch? Where do they shelter from the rain and wind, they are totally exposed to predators? That is not a proper chicken coop, it’s a big cage on wheels and is not fit for purpose. If you don’t get your act together quickly then the Chickens will not survive. It’s up to you to safeguard the Chickens so do it properly, it’s cruel to leave them in such poor conditions. 🙄

[@Amy-rb2ro]

OMG!! I see I’m not the only one that is horrified regarding the Chickens well being.

[@anntennyson2493]

I really think you should have them beside the house,so you can look after them,the fox will take them,I was reared on a farm and the hens were just in the yard.

[@patriciamarrion6802]

Hi Cori, I have to repeat what other commenters have said : your chooks need to be near your house. Plenty of predators around in Ireland, as I have experienced myself, even when our hens and ducks were near the house. We are guardians of the animals we keep and need to take all precautions to keep them as safe as we possibly can. We can't blame the fox or the predator from above for wanting to feed themselves and their young. But be aware of the mink ! They don't need a big hole to come in and kill the whole flock. Such a waste 😭just to kill for the blood and leave the bodies lying around for you to find. Your hens also need protection from the wind, side-swooping rain and sun, straw in the nests and roosts for them to go at night. Just to recap : bring them near the house. easier to keep an eye on them, collect eggs and bring them kitchen scraps. Re. the kitchen scraps, they will eventually learn to scratch and eat what they like. The rest turns into compost. I also follow Justin Rhodes, but his property is much more lively, so predators don't go near as easily.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Yes I was just reading in another comment about the mink, I didn't know that about them getting in so easily so appreciate being enlightened on that! We're on the case with some additional shelter etc (and they have straw in the nests already). Really appreciate the thorough advice Patricia. Hmm that's an interesting point on Justin Rhodes' property... hadn't thought of it that way

[@tsharkey1615]

You absolutely MUST have them near the house - within view and earshot, otherwise you'll lose every one of them.

[@tsharkey1615]

Also, for welfare reasons they must have deep shade from sun. They need to have bare soil for their 'baths'. They make hollowed out areas in the ground for this purpose and need to do that every day. They need deep straw for the nest boxes, also the nest boxes need to be very dark and private otherwise they will never lay. They need a roost for sleeping and the metal grid is not good for them underfoot. If they get spooked by anything they can 'fly' quite high over the boundary and are then very much at the mercy of predators.

[@baylaschauer3122]

You have way too many chickens in that coop, and it looks like predators can get under the wire floor. Poor hens could lose some toes, or worse.

[@lavignemorte]

Whilst the hens have a super view I'm pretty confident there will be foxes living in that lovely this Gorse. The hens need to be near the house and humans to be safe.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you for the feedback 🙏

[@frankiemarley2811]

Please take the advice given regarding the Chickens, it’s well intentioned. If you don’t then subscribers will leave and that would be a shame.

[@pamscarr8696]

Confused as to why you moved your chickens from your house. It is a lovely spot but I personally would not have mine that far away.

[@TheSanfran09]

As mentioed in a previous comment. You will need to check the department of agriculture webstie in regards to flock/herd registration. Simple enough for chickens. Any four legged additions to your small holding will require herd number registration and the department will call to the farm to verify that conditions/housing are sufficient for keeping said animal. Im a follower of Justin Rhodes, just remember he is in the US where regulations are significantly different. Also weather confitions differ from the US and not the top of a hill in West Cork. The Chickshaw is awesome in dry hot summers and dry winters. For optimal egg production your hens will need protection from the elements. As others mentioned it may be best to keep the hens closer to the property, avoid the long walk up the hill with the scraps.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Appreciate the helpful advice, thank you!! Yes we've been looking into the herd number registration etc in anticipation of the four legged friends 😍 Good point on the differences in regulations and weather where Justin Rhodes is, we've made modifications already to better accommodate the hens but are also planning now for next winter too.

[@zaroliina]

Where do they go to sleep? Chickens like to sleep on a high branches or roosts. Hope you don’t have foxes nearby. I love chickens too. We had to put a net over chickens area, so that hawks wouldn’t kill them. But, then hungry fox mama dug under the metal net / mesh fences (Not sure what is the right word in engl,) and killed every chicken :( that was a sad day. Last year we got ourselves new chickens and a rooster and made some improvements (dug metal net under). Let’s hope it will keep chicken safe.

[@CarolineMcGroarty]

Oh god I’m scared . Poor little chickens

[@christinaward161]

Ah first chickens, i remember that feeling! They are so lovely to have around. I personally may have had them nearer to your house, so you can monitor any preditors, but im sure youve already thought that through. Remember ,some preditors come down from the sky,and will carry off a chicken. I am so enjoying following your new homesteading adventures. So, what animal is next??? xxx

[@conniesnyder7622]

They may have never had scraps so won’t know what they are. My chickens are picky. But they love watermelon and pumpkin. And any type of fruit. Or squash…

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

They are SO lovely to have around!! Ooh next animal is a good question as it's a cause for much debate in our home at the moment. If our daughter was to win... it would be a horse! 😂

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Connie I hadn't thought about the fact that they likely wouldn't have had scraps previously!

[@christinaward161]

@@CoriLivestheDreamLife perfect choice! x

[@patriciapadgett4696]

Well I'm no expert, but from the comments its obvious the chickens need to be nearer the house. Recipes look lovely, good luck moving forward with your dream. ❤

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Patricia for your encouragement!

[@tsharkey1615]

Please confirm ASAP that you have acted on the advice given. I am Irish. Had hens for decades. They must be housed in a solid construction, ie., SOLID floor, walls and roof. (NOT clear perspex). If wood used even the knotholes must be bunged as mink (of which there are many in your area) just one of the many predators, will get through them. They need a roost raised off ground level with at least 2 feet of space above their heads.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Appreciate your concern for our hens' welfare and your insight, especially as someone who has had hens for decades 🙏 We have only just in the last couple of days had time to log in and read the comments so we were unaware there was a volume of advice given. Hen house updates/changes are in progress and thank you in particular for the note on the mink, we had been unaware that they could get in through small holes.

[@tsharkey1615]

@CoriLivestheDreamLife I'm so glad you will start by upgrading the housing. A really strong house is so important. It really has nothing to do with being 'traditional'. It's the security, warmth and enough roosting space that really matters.

[@GemmaGregory-yn9ix]

Hello. Just watched your latest video..just wanted to come on to comment that the hens won't last long there. Foxes would get into that coop with not much bother. They need to be near where you're staying. A cosy warm bed area too.. all the best !

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

We've cosied up the beds, duly noted. Although we're making some changes to the coop (per some other advice) I'm not sure how the foxes could get in, it's pretty secure? Although will happily be enlightened, it's all a learning curve 🙏

[@TheAwakeningangel]

Oh love chickens they do have there own little personality too, however I would have them closer to the living area, as fox's and Magpies will attack them. Good luck and loving the recipes. xxx Dede x

[@lyndaf.6329]

I can only add to the other comments regarding the chickens. You obviously didn’t research much or ask for advice from locals who keep chickens but the way you are keeping them amounts to animal cruelty. The so called chicken coop is totally unsuitable, no perch to sleep on, wire flooring etc.etc. Why you thought it a good idea to have them so far from the house is a mystery. If it hasn’t already happened the local fox will think all his christmases have come at once. I’ve enjoyed your journey up to now but please learn about animal care before you take on any more and IMPROVE THE LIFE OF THOSE HENS.

[@KathysFlog]

Certainly NOT overcrowded. If you're able to round off those wooden horizontals it will be better for them when they're roosting. If you're able to provide a wind break on the prevailing side that would be good. Chickens need ventilation, they have plenty of that. Draughts are different which they won't get in such an open coop. Draughts come from small gaps. My chickens (I've been keepiing chickens for 20 ish years) live in a large garage size building that was already here when we moved. It has garage door sized open weave mesh opening facing East. Chickens do well in there. You will have less problems with Red Mite in your open coop. It's par for the course to lose your flock to predators, all you can do is do your best and you are doing that. Spring through to end of May is not a great time for free-ranging, foxes etc are feeding their kits. Just wait until you get your first eggs! Even after 20+ years I marvel at the eggs. Bon courage. Liked and subscribed.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Kathy so much for the advice I really appreciate the time you took to give me so many great tips!! We got the first eggs this week!! (spoiler on my next video!!). Awww I love that you still marvel at the eggs... such a beautiful thing!

[@janemadej8608]

The coop is not great they need more space and shelter it’s very windy and cold where they are . Apart from that they are lovely ❤

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Duly noted and Kayvan is on the case creating more shelter etc. They are SO lovely and we're so happy to have them around

[@Kevin-kn2ke]

Hi I have keep hens for over 30 years. Did you put some hay or straw into the nest boxes? The rooster is nice to look at. But will only end up annoying the hens. Better off putting him in the pot. 🍀

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

30 years, that's impressive! Yes we put hay in the nest boxes (although they seem to like kicking it out on a daily basis lol). The rooster is a pretty impressive thing, isn't he?? He hasn't been seeming to annoy the hens so far... he actually does a pretty good job of looking after them or alerting them to potential dangers from what I've observed. But we'll see!

[@morrigans_cottage]

That’s is so exciting the animals are one of the best parts! I’m just starting my homestead in rural Ireland too and can’t wait to get chickens and donkeys etc!

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Ah YAY to having your homestead in Ireland too, I didn't realise you were also here! A lot of our neighbours have donkeys but my daughter's after a horse! 😍

[@TeezerDriz]

You need a flock number for them ( you probably know that anyways, but if you didn't, regulations.... 😮)

[@Pj.explores]

Yeah, chickens! Good first animal choice. I hope you'll tell us in the next video why they're so far from where you live. I chicken sit my neighbor's chickens. I recall early on we lost a chicken a day to a chicken hawk. I felt terrible, but she had been experiencing the same rate of loss prior to going on vacation. I'm excited for your chicken adventure and hope the learning curve isn't too traumatic. It's easy to get attached. You are homesteading from the day you bought the property and pulled in the driveway with no place else to call home. We did the same 26 years ago. ❤

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Love that perspective on us having started homesteading from the day we pulled up!! 26 years of homesteading, that's impressive 😍 Yes I hope the learning curve isn't too traumatic either! They're up there partly because it's where they can rotationally graze and partly because a lot of our homesteading will centre up there so we'll be there just as much in the day than by the property for the most part.

[@austinhenry6377]

That bread you were cutting with the crusty crust. Ohh it made me feel hungry. Love your videos ❤

[@joyceevans2249]

I’m late to this but I’m guessing this is an early April Fools jape🦊🦊🦊🦊

[@horseygirl966]

FYI it’s illegal to feed kitchen scraps to chickens. Also remember chickens are jungle birds so they feel safest near tree cover, might be best to move them under the trees, plus shielded from the elements and nearer the home. Assuming if you’ve got a rooster then you’re planning on breeding for broilers not just layers. Good luck 🐥

[@lavignemorte]

This is a British law. I don't believe this same law exists in Ireland but I happy to be proven wrong.

[@christinaward161]

chooks love scraps, especially spaghetti!

[@horseygirl966]

@@lavignemorte hi yes since the foot and mouth outbreak became illegal under UK and EU law.

[@marshagaravaglia8149]

Love your channel ❤

[@ericamcniece5209]

Awww...super...my rooster was called Ollie and he spent his days minding his girls..you'll have to name them!

[@sherimiklia4987]

I have unsubscribed from your channel. You have those chickens so far from you and predators will wipe them out. I can't watch that! They need to be protected and be in a location close to where you are living where you help scare off predators. So sorry for the chickens. 😢

[@jillychandler]

Hope your lovely new girls and boy have lots of grass they can dig around in, and hey also like a dust bath. They will need straw in their protected nest boxes. Good Luck with them, I LOVED my rescue chickens I used to have, and they gave me beautiful tasty eggs. xxx

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Jilly! All things we've provided since. Grateful for the advice. LOVE watching them in the dust bath, they're so funny. We are certainly enjoying the bounty of fresh eggs. Plus just their presence, they're so lovely to sit with and just watch.

[@jillychandler]

@@CoriLivestheDreamLife Bless you for getting back to me. I loved my chickens, and yes, they are so amazing to just sit and watch. xxx

[@hayleyelliott7905]

Thanks Cori i am enjoying your videos as we will soon be moving to the west coast of Ireland. You need to do a recipe video on how to make sour bread.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

I've had a lot of sourdough based comments Hayley so I may well do a dedicated video soon, thank you for the suggestion!!

[@colleenwoodweibel4381]

Our chickens are picky about what veggie scraps they eat, too! Carrots aren't a big hit (I think they're too hard for them), but they love brussel sprouts, corn and lettuces!

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Hehe funny picky hens, eh Colleen! I thought of you on the weekend as a heron flew over the farm!!

[@alisonbarker5148]

Our chickens also entirely disinterested in scraps. They do love meat and we get beef fat from the butchers or skim the bone broth fat from the top. They love that.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

There was me thinking we'd have less food waste lol. On the compost pile it goes! Will try them with some meat or fat though... especially the top off the bone broth, genius. Thanks Alison!

[@jpeel2066]

It's all coming together. Only thing chickens really dislike is too much wind. Hope all goes well. Great video. All the best 🇬🇧.

[@janebaker966]

Well,i watched this yesterday and your innocent ingenuous enthusiasm is lovely. You're already getting lots of good advice so you'll learn more. I suspect you are a survivor and you say you know how to run businesses so I think you'll survive a few wobbles. I decided to comment in order to showhorn in one of my favourite jokes. But before that I agree with the other people about the hens. If you watch Laura on Garden Answers she showed us her prep for keeping chickens a year or so ago. It's in USA but same principles apply. Hens are jungle birds or descended from. They actually like light shade and a bit of tree cover or at least sime bushes. They don't like bare wide open spaces that's why people get confused when they see a "free range" farmers barn full of chickens not runnjng about in the field outside. They think the farmer is lying and in vain does he try to explain that hens are lazy things like humans and don't feel inclined to go outside if theyve got all they need inside plus if it's hot with fierce sunshine but not tree shade they don't like that. We don't either. Im glad you bake bread. That bread did look good. Now for my "joke" it's a social observation really. Back in 1970 us girls were being told by the loud feminists that cooking was drudgery and only moronic doormats liked it. (Which was disturbing for me !) Unchain yourself from the stove! So women all did. And what happened - Men took up cooking and when THEY did it,it was AMAZING,it was CREATIVE,it was ART! And they all got TV shows and book deals!

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Jane for the recommendation on Garden Answers, I'll look that up. And noted on the shade and cover, we're going to see what we can do for them on that front. Hahahaha you're so right about the view of cooking through the gendered lens!! It never feels like drudgery for me, I adore cooking (as you can probably tell).

[@avrilpeters5900]

Hi cori I haven't seen where your hens yet but don't have them so far from the house and be very vigilant with them because of said fox. Don't have a rooster unless you want them to have chicks. Is it your first time having them give them free range during the day but in the evening when you are putting them to bed have good with you shake the bucket and say chuck a few times they should come running just be extra vigilant with them.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Avril, a lot of people have noted the foxes too. Yes I was sceptical about the rooster for the same reason but hubby made that call... Ooh thanks for the tip on putting them to bed, they seem to be pretty happy to go in but it's worth having that cue for them.

[@KTanneify]

I agree they need to be near you so if a predator comes around you can act quickly to save them...not sure about the wire floor in their coop area...I have had chickens for many years and am still learning about them so be kind to yourself since you are new to having them !!

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you, appreciate your encouragement and insight!

[@spudsnsalsa]

Likely never had scraps offered before since they were from a poultry supplier. Everyone else show pictures of their girls attacking heads of cabbage and pumpkins but mine only want the seeds and pulp from melons/squash.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Yes so funny isn't it? There are so many videos of hens attacking large veg and such and ours only seem interested in stuff if we cut it up really small!

[@seanshannon9910]

Hi Cori as I understand a farmer has to have 7 acres and an animal holding aeria, this may be required in order to get agricultural grants An important date is early may to lodge (aeria aid)forms to be lodged in the development of agriculture Go into your local Tagaist office (any farmer will know) I keep poltry as near to dwelling as possible to avoid vermin problems kind regards Sean

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Sean, really useful info!! Yes having looked into it further, I think we'd be just a bit too small of a holding for any agricultural grants. Which is fine, as this is just a small home farm type of thing.

[@sowingback]

Feed them some of your sourdough discard and they will love you forever. Congrats on the next step of the dream. #chickenmama

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Ooh hadn't thought of that! Amazing suggestion, will do that!!

[@kategreen-adarkcarnival6747]

I think it's a new homestead Cori!! Lovely video. Kx

[@lindaroyal8161]

I'm happy for you that you've finally got the chickens you've wanted for a few years. I know your land has many hills and few level area and that's why you choose that spot to keep them. Seems a bit far to tend to them daily, especially when the weather is bad, rain and cold. I'd also think out where you live there might be predator critters that would love to get a hold of a chicken. I live in the US/Florida, I'm in a small town north of Tampa. Our town has free roaming wild chickens and roosters. Personally, I think they're a nuisance. They are free to go about in residents yards and do what ever they want, they are protected by town ordinance and yes, I live in the city limits. Because they're allowed anywhere they cause damage with their nasty behavior. I have chicken poop on my patios, patio chairs and tables. Can't just go sit down without checking 1st to make sure you're not sitting in poop. They tear up flower beds, fling mulch, dirt and debris all over the paths and walk ways; sweeping daily is required to maintain a clear path. They never shut up, day & night, constant chicken noise. I admit, the babies in the spring are pretty darn cute to watch. They don't last long, flocks dwindle daily from hawks and other predators. So....no, I'm not a fan of chickens, at least the ones forced on us in our town. Since I'm vegetarian, don't eat eggs, I have no desire to keep chickens. I do understand others interests in the hobby and their reasons and respect their choice.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Hello in Florida! Oh yikes, those rogue chickens don't sound ideal (albeit cute!). I've never heard about having them free roaming around towns (although there was a commune of town ordinance protected cats in a small town we visited in Italy lol!).

[@lindaroyal8161]

@@CoriLivestheDreamLife - There's a few towns in Florida that have them. One town, Brandon, they're even at the bank, grassy areas around the building and other store parking lots. Chickens on cars, not a good match.

[@annetteweston4135]

My husband lives it but at $18 a cabbage it's abit exie at the moment

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Yikes!! That is a LOT for cabbage

[@KateAshworth]

In the first bit of the video, there's an angry face in the tree behind you 😅 once i saw it, I couldn't unsee it 🤪

[@margaretroberts6258]

I see it now too!!!😅

[@KateAshworth]

@@margaretroberts6258 😂😅

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

😂😂 so funny how we see faces in things like that, isn't it??

[@lindatemple5454]

Poor chickens are really crammed in a very tiny, poorly made whatever it is and they are far to far away from your home and sadly will soon be fox food if you are not careful, I think you need to do a lot more research and don’t keep any animals if you are not prepared to look after them properly and give the the correct housing.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Have been doing more research Linda, thank you 🙏

[@lindatemple5454]

@@CoriLivestheDreamLife - Well done you it will definitely pay off in the long run

[@sharonhadfield7921]

That coop is awful......poor chucks 😢

[@avrilpeters5900]

I'm sorry but no that's way to far from the house

[@tamarasself-sufficientlife7539]

Please, straw for bedding and for them to do their instinctive scratching. Your environment for those hens is NOT good. They are not toys. Predators will wipe them out in minutes without precautions in place. Did you research any of this before getting them. Super disappointed.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Absolutely did research and you don't know what you don't know, right? Appreciate all the comments in here with well-intentioned advice and we have taken much of it on board. They absolutely have straw and we have electrical fencing around their pasture area (just a couple of the changes).

[@tonicollis]

Ah CHICKENS! There's nothing like a group of little chickadees for fun and loads of eggs. You will have loads of eggs btw but that's just great for trading - plus I found you can use eggs for everything and they are like the perfect protein! Enjoy getting to know your ladies and the gent.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thanks Toni!! They're so sweet and fun to have around!! Yeah we already eat a LOT of eggs so I think we'll have no problem and have neighbours who will happily have any surplus!

[@Marion-tz5hb]

I think some people here are being harsh in their tone. We all had to start somewhere. You’re doing your best with your chickens. Anyone can see you are trying. Just a little advice tho, hens like being snug and warm. Those little grey crate things won’t do I’m afraid. No gaps or holes in the house (predators ie pine martins- will get in, in the night and kill the lot). Unfortunately, they need to be supervised. Not all the time but you need to keep an eye out. Foxes are sneaky af. You’d be surprised! 🫣 Some hay wouldn’t go amiss 😊

[@lyndaf.6329]

I don't think the comments are harsh at all, just realistic. You don't take on any animals before doing the research and ,if possible, asking local people who keep animals. I sometimes think this lady lives in a dream world where everything has to be perfect. She says she's living her dream life but I think it's all a bit of fun to her and she doesn't realise the harsh reality of setting up a Homestead in Ireland.But of course she knows best, as she's always telling us.

[@Marion-tz5hb]

@@lyndaf.6329 My mother has had hens for 20 yrs and she still has days where she makes mistakes, things go wrong or hens get sick etc etc. She has an encyclopaedia on hens. Nobody is perfect. You live and learn. There’s no sin in having fun along the way. What’s the point in being miserable about it. If it’s not to your taste, you don’t need to watch 🤷‍♀️

[@lyndaf.6329]

@@Marion-tz5hb I am certainly not saying that you shouldn’t have fun setting up a Homestead and of course you learn from your mistakes. You misunderstood, I get the impression that it’s a game for her until she has her next life changing idea. From what I see she does everything on impulse without researching the consequences. The hens are a classic example and I am not the only one who thinks that this was a rushed idea, let’s have hens because that’s what you do when you move to Ireland. I bet your mother never put her hens in such housing or far away from the house in danger. You are right this channel is not to my taste and I won’t be watching again. I can’t cope with her me me me attitude, I bought a house in Ireland, I bought a caravan, I’m living MY dream. It’s as if she hasn’t got a husband and daughter, we never hear what their dream is.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

Thank you Marion for your advice and support. Well appreciated on both fronts. They have hay now and we're making some more changes... I didn't know pine martins could get in via small gaps, so very much appreciate that insight.

[@Annie-qp5iu]

You are homesteaders NOW, from.the moment you moved on to the land.

[@CoriLivestheDreamLife]

YAY!!! Starting to feel real 😍

[@gerrymcentee981]

As below.need to move them closer to your van.