Quick Start Guide - Raising Chickens For Beginners

Quick Start Guide - Raising Chickens For Beginners
Are you thinking about raising chickens but intimidated by the entire process? We are going to break it all down from brooder to coop. From starting with baby chicks and how to care for chicks all the way to the chicken coop, laying eggs and how to care for chickens. This is the last video you will need!
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[@lightbeu]

I’m a Chicago city mouse. I want chickens. Forget this City living I enjoy Gods natural way to eat.

[@nogames8982]

I've had chickens for about eight years now. I highly recommend them. I started out with three and now I have 15 :-) I live right in the middle of town.

[@sv160]

Awesome You are blessed I am having 3 Easter eggers 3 weeks old now. 😃 Sadly when you have a nosy inhuman screwed up neighbor 🙁 And the same president for your community you living in just is horrible. First 3 buff Orbington, I had to give away, or I would have to pay a fine of 20$ each week until I put them away 😢 just started to lay eggs. I have a vinyl white fence and a hen house and a fenced in chicken run 10 ft x10 ft My back yard 70 ft x 50 ft My neighbor is not even in her garden once in a blue moon. We got a New President and and he let me have chicken yeah and we looked up the city rules we aloud to have chickens,no Rooster fenced in. Finally Blessings to all chicken lovers

[@sona7973]

@@sv160 Some people can never be pleased.. glad you got to keep your chickens!

[@MukisaMoreen-kp6rg]

I​@@sv160

[@1997LT1Camaro]

I’m about to start out with 12 and I’m excited/nervous

[@rene8943]

I had to get a city permit and pay a hefty fee for the privilege of having 3 exotic animals (aka chickens/hens).

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

Folks just a word to the wise. Make sure that your heat lamp has a ceramic socket that is rated for the wattage of the heat lamp bulb you are using. Avoid any lamp with a plastic socket they are not designed for 150 watt heat lamp bulbs. They will melt and become a fire hazard.

[@timlawson817]

Those that don't know where ther food comes from will spend way to much to raise them . Most of these people will have $ 40.00 hens at 6 months . And their eggs will cost them about $ 8.00 doz. I've been raising chickens nearly 50 yrs . You give good information. I don't let anyone on my farm .

[@jgclarke0352]

Why not let people on your farm?

[@Heather_At_The_Ridge]

It seems silly to those of us raising poultry that you have to explain the difference between a hen and a rooster, but the number of times basic questions like that come up in new chicken groups is pretty shocking. Thanks for this! Very informative!

[@adambatstone9545]

This video was very informative! My wife and I have been researching getting chickens and your video has been very helpful.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks. Glad it helped. Good luck with your chickens.

[@marciagraham7253]

I just found your channel, and, WOW! This post is a wonderful summary of chicken raising and made getting started seem alot more doable! We recently moved onto 10 acres and are brand new to the homesteading life. Getting chickens is one of the first things we want to do. Again, thank you for this most helpful video!

[@judyrogers8775]

Wish I could like this post 100X. This is the most wonderful detailed summary I've heard. Roosters are male. Pullets are female. That's my kind of chicken tutorial 🤣🤣

[@winniecash1654]

I got my chicks in the spring last year (2022). I can't tell you how much fun and rewarding they are. The thing that surprised me the most was their assertive personalities. They remind me of the mean girls in Jr High, lol. They're hormonal and downright rotten at times. Also, conniving, smart, and loads of fun when they chase each other around the yard when one gets a tasty worm. Once they got a hold of a dead mouse. The chase-the-chicken game was on. There were 10 of them chasing the lead. When she dropped it, another would swoop in and run with it. You wouldn't believe how athletic they are, turning tight corners, jumping through the grapevine fencing, dodging through the raspberry canes, over the bench. I was trying to keep up to get the mouse before the winner ate it for fear it might have died from poison, lest they poison themselves. I ran so hard, laughing all the way. It was therapeutic. 😂 I did finally get the carcass, and they were disappointed. They soon forgot it and went back to scratching for bugs. There's never a dull moment with chickens. They'll outsmart you and keep you on your toes.

[@YouWokeMe]

Tell you this sir, I appreciate you doing this video. I was literally thinking about the fact that everything that needs to be known by normal people isn’t available. You, sir, are amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate y’all watching.

[@candygarfield1479]

Yes, and when normal people look into chickens, they find them banned in many settings, and if you can have them, you're not allowed a rooster due to noise ordinance, when they ones that would complain, have duel exhaust or a Harley. Lol blast boom boom all day, or do target practice in their back yard, but you can't fertilize your eggs Roosters of my neighbors, only cock a doodle doo at sun up and dusk for a minute. I never hear it, I'm sleeping, they also make noise for perceived threat to the brood. Dogs do that too. And barky dogs are barky dogs. I know, we have one, she barks if anyone pulls up. Only way to quiet her is reward her for the warning. Lol the faster you do, the faster she stops. But compared to the noise a rooster might make, the rooster is better, at least you KNOW when they are going to go off.

[@morehn]

​@@candygarfield1479 I really don't get the dog thing. They're such a nuisance, and there's nothing pleasant about a barking dog. I have a bunch of hens but I'd love to have roosters.

[@candygarfield1479]

@@morehn I don't know where your at, but up here they share roosters. Pass them in rotation. If someone complains, by the time it is looked into, rooster is gone. I was just thinking, it's not the noise, it's the ability to grow your brood I think they are trying to limit. I'm starting chickens In a few weeks, I'd like to think I can grab a rooster a couple times a year to replace them when it's time to process the older ones out? Isn't that how you do it? So you don't have to buy new birds every year? My neighbor has some bird last few years, I never heard before, couldn't figure out what is is,. But I think it's one of these birds he talks about in the video. The loud one. Lol. So I won't need one of those, that bird definately makes noise.. my woods wrap around their property, the second I start walking the trails, it goes off the whole time. Today I heard chickens over there, so I think they got some too. But they have had that other bird for at least as long as I've been here.

[@morehn]

@@candygarfield1479 that's funny and smart

[@paulblankenship7865]

Those trick chickens are the first ones that end up in the frying pan 😂

[@kennethashby957]

Thanks for the content 🙏and to mention our prayers!

[@calebray4168]

As much as I hate the inner city, my dream is for neighborhoods and apartments to have their own farms one day.

[@S4ndman100]

Great video Chuck. I've been raising chickens myself for 4 years now and I still learned new things.

[@trina7274]

Thank you so very much. We have 22 hatching eggs in our incubator right now, we are on day 8… I’ve been binge watching your videos, learning all I can. Thanks again for all Your help ❤️💕🙏🏼

[@TheFrogfeeder]

I like the title, that’s about where I’m at too…

[@jdub7771]

I've been contemplating getting chickens for over a year now. Now more than ever because of the price and availability of eggs of course. Over this time I've watched so many videos and have a tremendous Playlist. This by far is the best video made on beginning your chicken journey. Right to the point, no fluff. Explained in detail and easily understood. All you need to know is in this video. Thank you for this video, it's highly appreciated it!

[@Kayla-xo4ed]

We choose to do Coturnix Quail after lots of research. I’m only one week in with my baby chicks but I’m super eggcited. No regrets (:

[@glenglene8473]

According to MSM, male chickens can produce eggs too.

[@kylesnyder3757]

Don’t use cedar bedding either.

[@pb4585]

I would recommend Rousting bars higher than your nesting boxes

[@lrg613]

Thank you! Finally talking my spouse into chickens. Took three years! I have learned a lot but your info on the nesting boxes explained why we have an actual door in our small hen house to the nesting boxes. I have found no one before to explain that. God bless you!! We newbies need to learn a lot!

[@heathjones8106]

Nailed it! Great content as usual. We can’t wait to get our layers going.

[@lunabeta3516]

Those feeders are so important. I've spent way too much on dif feeders,bowls. And they waste the food. After 2 urs, I finally learned to put plenty of leaves and end clean organic brark,wood shavings down outside and they'll dig for worms and bugs. Has cut way back on my feed cost. Great video sir. Great!!!!

[@briank1671]

Great video, I'm expecting 10 baby Wyandots tomorrow 3-10-23 from Cackle Hatchery I ordered through the local Farm and Fleet. My brooder is ready and the coop and run are almost finished. I'm excited !!!!

[@rh5022]

I ordered from cackle they all came dead. I now use hoover they are cheaper, alot cheaper and they supply tractor supply. 😊

[@sheilal3172]

I got 16 Wyandottes from Cackle 22 September of 2022. All arrived alive. One took about two weeks to get up and around, and she is at the bottom of the peck order. They began laying 3 March 2023. Wyandottes here in SW Missouri tend to suffer in the heat. Mine panted all summer. I Kept frozen liters in their waterers. They do fine in the winter, though. Best wishes.

[@d.mcdave8880]

Never raised chickens before but we're gonna try this year. Thanks for breaking it down to understandable amounts of info. I feel like we can do this and do it well. Our neighbors want in as well. Thanks again.

[@remorabay]

Nice video. One point: Rocks in the water.....I think it's more to keep them dry and warm than actually drowning.....if they get wet and cold, they die.

[@joepaullawncare7222]

They will drown

[@blakesleeacres]

Hey Chuck just wanted to say thanks for the always great content! Been following your channel for some time now. You and a few other channels have inspired me to grow my small farm and try to make it into a business. You have also inspired me to start my own channel thanks again God Bless!

[@memartin2188]

Thank you for this video! I am new to homesteading and just started gardening and want to get chickens for eggs but know nothing about raising chickens. I just subscribed!

[@rh5022]

The chickens will never know that you are new to this .P.S. they love table scraps goggle it they can eat Alot.

[@Thenanafarmher]

Very good video! Keep up the great work!

[@freddieivory625]

Awesome info, thanks for sharing

[@geanitsucuneli4791]

Thanks for informing !

[@FlatGapFarm]

Very good information! Thank you for sharing!

[@mindalick8867]

thank you for sharing this info

[@barbaraengle768]

Thank you,very informative 🐔

[@buckbusteroutdoors4531]

Great video & informative! Answered a lot of my questions - Thanks!

[@charlconradie9032]

Thank you so much, very inspiring!

[@sloanehodge6065]

Such awesome information, Great Video.

[@sherryguyberson]

Excellent video and information!

[@susan6942]

Thank you for the information

[@farmerboybill]

I was just saying to a friend of mine that there’s gonna be people out there that will pay thousands for a coop, $30ea for pullets, and $18 a bag for premium feed, $35 a bag for “treats” and then brag that they’re saving money on eggs…. And at the end of the year, give away the coop when they figure out that owning hens doesn’t fit they’re “lifestyle”

[@redmapleleaf4617]

Good comprehensive video on raising some chickens!

[@shoppingbag6973]

Hello, Are you not worried about the heat lamp being that close to your pine bedding and creating a fire hazard?

[@septembercindy]

People in the cities need to do this too

[@dmark6699]

Very good report, always like your videos.

[@inu1ful]

Thank you so much!

[@joeym1635]

Good advice , thanks man.

[@yogininamaste]

That was very helpful and informative. Thank you

[@HubCityGarage]

Great video.

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

Well done ! Blessings

[@nikkistump3480]

Got our chicks last week! So excited! Thx for the awesome video ❤

[@arnoldolson2509]

Excellent video, thanks much…

[@naegwut]

This was very helpful

[@nameshavebeenchangedtoprot2127]

Another great inof vidoe as always! Thank you so much for the sharing of your wisdom.

[@douglasfick4817]

Very good, thank you very much.

[@Mike_squarebeefarms]

Love your videos. I try to watch them all. This was an outstanding video! I found it very informative. We are considering getting some chickens for our homestead. Thanks!

[@charissetraska4949]

Great video thanks

[@lourdesaguirre4882]

Thank you so much for such an important video. Your content literally saves a new farm. Blessings to you.

[@rat-a-tatranch579]

Outstanding video, and you cover about everything I have seen in many videos!!! Thank you!

[@paula.Garden]

I love you video you give a lots of great information, thank you so much for sharing

[@gregzeigler3850]

I agree, people can't afford to wait much longer with how this economy is currently trending(and how this Country is trending). I have raised chickens on and off for years. My Speckled Sussex, Jersey Giants, and Brahmas are producing 50 eggs a week(24 hens). All three can be stewing hens in later years. I have a rooster for each set, thus eggs can be hatched out. All three are noted to go broody. During the summer, I feed them cucumbers,tomatoes,Summer Squash, Comfrey, grass clippings which contains Orchard grass, Clover and Plantain.I have also given them apples and Russian Mulberries. I also throw them kitchen scraps which reduces the feed bill. I am working on several Naturalizers that I got seed from Experimental Farm Network, that is food for both man and beast, but has a weed like tendencies.

[@kipclairday1431]

Excellent thank you

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

I'm in East Texas and the hawks here are big enough to get a full grown hen turkey. I have the hard cloth covered run, same electric netting as you, plus hardwire on the ground around my coop and run. I want to feed us, not the local wildlife!

[@pamcarter6595]

GREAT VIDEO ♥️ All the different color of eggs are just beautiful. I love yall's farm.

[@wifigrannyl.1354]

First time here. Your video is the most thorough I've seen yet. I learned a lot today so I wanted to say thank you. New sub now. Have a blessed day.

[@saradeaton687]

No Publix anywhere near me in WI, but have found all types of beef at my local bent and dent for great deals.

[@brandiesuarez]

Best video on chickens ❤

[@christysantos3852]

Thank you

[@ametheieushamlet5774]

@ SPF ie; Chuck, great content which inspired me to get started in this journey. Thank you!

[@angiepratt6931]

Good job explaining about how to raise chickens

[@justmejm]

Great video by the way you put the link to the heating source for the chick Grit

[@HeatherMerrell]

I've had chickens for years. Then got rid of them. Now I've built a new chicken coop/run. I'm looking for buff Orpington or Sapphire Gem chicks and can't find them anywhere sooner than July or August. Everyone is sold out. Lol So...I'm waiting.

[@Eyes2C.]

Question please. We are remodeling a large coop that the previous owner had. It didnt have predator proofing. It was mainly chicken wire 😢 and a bear got in and killed her hens. It has a dirt floor and Im worried about disease. What can be done to make sure our chicks will be ok? Thank you! Bear was about 4 yrs ago. We are putting in hardware wire, cameras lights etc. Just worried about disease in soil

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Use lots of bedding. Wood chips are best. 12-18” of carbon material.

[@Eyes2C.]

@@SheratonParkFarms Thank you so much!

[@Bella.Parabellum]

I was wondering why you had some Guineas in the mix - now I know 😊 Great video, thank you!

[@rahyel181]

Thank you sir God-bless you and your family. I will be asking questions in the future.

[@tcook564]

Chuck as you know I've been watching you awhile now. I just hatched my first batch of chicks. Worked well I need to improve hatch rate but hatched them Friday and Saturday. Sold all but 3 today. Thanks for all the advise

[@loseyourlife4042]

I subscribed, thank you

[@thebuckeyefarmallguy3548]

Great informative video thanks for your insight and taking the time to make it Yes you are correct about the ginneas nothing gets by them my uncle had 187 of them at one time on the farm

[@machedwatdevanBonDieu276]

Beautiful video 😇🥰

[@oksills]

Just an absolutely terrific, comprehensive video. Thank you, Sir! It looks your flock is very messed indeed.

[@lunabeta3516]

All of this info right here. This is exactly what I wish I would have know Before.

[@lynnbrewer43]

Do you have problems with Hawks taking your chickens. What do you to keep that from happening?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

From time to time. We keep a guard goose in with them. That helps a bunch.

[@stanleykania7184]

Good video

[@independentcontactors339]

I use radiator heater. Chicks are so cute!!!!

[@nancyseery2213]

I have two neighbors with chickens. One neighbor managed to get about thirty more and a rooster. I told him if he manages to raise some chicks, I wanted to be his first customer. For many reasons, we have not been able to put chickens or turkeys on our subdivision lot, yet, but I will have about a dozen by June when we are able to take care of them. I can't wait!!!

[@willie9767]

They love eggs

[@FourthDimensionalHillBilly]

I’ve learned the hard way about protecting them lost 2 to hawks. Lost 1 to sepsis from an internal broken egg. Make sure they have plenty of calcium.

[@tamhas]

I would appreciate more info about keeping chickens in extremely cold temps, like northern minnesota winters.

[@ST-lt4ls]

So helpful!

[@asmahaj2974]

Thanks a lot sir, I really like your explanation and all the information . For sure I will keep you in my prayers during this great month of Ramadan. May Allah bless you and your family.

[@danielmosley10]

Good informational video. Any plans or links to your mobile coop ?

[@MarcoPolo-gs5uu]

You probably know this Look up the history of biochar for gardening burned wood to char then crush some up for all animals activate the rest of it with manure or compost and put on garden. I find this very interesting rocket stove Mass heater couches . pretty simple if you want to save about two months of hot water build you a outdoor composting showers

[@Damselfly54315]

Thank you for the video...I like the roosting bar out from the nests with nests closed off...what time do you take that bar off from the front? like sun-up? then stays open thru the day...but cool idea for extra roosting area...how do you keep them warm in winter, I see the coop has slatted floor...do you straw it in winter? This is the first time I've watched your channel, so if its covered in another video can you add link? Thank you!

[@deirdre444]

Is there a way to tell the difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs?

[@trueblood1958]

What is the best bedding to use in the coop and nest boxes, pine shaving or hay?

[@michiganporter]

I've got issues with my birds eating their eggs...at least the big birds..the bantams have a small opening so the big birds can't fit in and get after the eggs...it's my Rhode island reds that are the culprit..

[@Crazyferretlady-in5sd]

Very informative 👍 Anybody know the ratio of apple cider vinegar to water 😮

[@Damselfly54315]

Do you raise Buff Orpingtons??? I'm going to need a Rooster NEXT spring...have one for this year...

[@rh5022]

Thank you I need advice My chickens are eating their own feathers whats causes this and how Do I cure it?.

[@debolson2720]

We do have a small flock of chickens for eggs but are relatively new at chicken keeping. I found your presentation very informative and am now thinking of adding a couple guineas and maybe a goose to our flock to help with the predators. We have , in the past, free ranged our chickens part of the time but also have lost some hens to predators. We have lost several to foxes and have shot two foxes right in our yard after the hens. We also have lost a couple to eagles or hawks--not sure but I am sure they were flown away and then eaten. We are thinking that one of our hens was killed by a fischer. Do you have any experience with fischers as predators or how to keep them away ? Will the electric fence prevent a fischer attack ? Thank you for your video.

[@StHat20]

Thanks for the info. I notice you have some ducks. I’d like to mix with the chickens, too. Any concerns or breeds of chickens and ducks that get along? How do you house the ducks?

[@reneebrown2968]

I got my chicks yesterday. I'm so excited to be able to eat farm fresh naturally fed and raised. I lucked up and got buff orphingtons, so they are well known for being docile dual purpose birds. I refuse to use medicated chick feed. So if it takes them a couple more weeks to get eggs that is fine but I really don't want to add things to their diet. The brooder I'm using is a Rubbermaid tote. It's great because I only got 8 chicks. I raised quail a year ago so I had all the equipment I needed. Soldier flies are native here so once they get bigger they will have a good source of protein and calcium. I have tons of comfrey so plenty of vitamins and plenty of vegetables (from my gardens) with no poison applied to them. I'm hoping that all are hens but would not be too unhappy if 1 and only 1 is a roo. I'm not supposed to have a roo but if he's fairly quiet I may be able to keep him.

[@sheilal3172]

I feed my hens lots of mowed grass-they love digging through it. Also kitchen scraps. They don't like celery! I use cut-and-come-again method and give them dandelion leaves, which they adore. I have a large house and a larger run; but I have the electric netting to use next spring. Any waste from the garden--it's hard to choose whether to give it to the chicks or the compost pile. What the chickens don't eat, they compost. I just took four 35-gallon totes of nearly composted carbon from the run and will use it to mulch my raised veggie beds this fall. I'm going to clean out a friend's pig pen and throw it into the run with a lot of carbonized grass clippings. That will entertain them through the winter and be compost next spring. Joel Salatin just said that over a million people have taken up chicken raising this year of 2023. Every body need chickens!