How to Raise Backyard / City Chickens for Eggs 101 - Breed Selection, Feed, Care, Dust Bath, More!

[@townrurallife]

This video is an absolute goldmine of information! From breed selection to feeding tips and even dust baths, you covered every aspect of raising backyard chickens so thoroughly. Perfect for beginners like me who are just getting started. I feel much more confident now about setting up my own coop and caring for the chickens. Thank you for such a clear and helpful guide!

[@TheBlondePatriot]

I know this video is a couple years old but your video out of all the videos from various people that I've watch for several weeks YOURS has been the most informative for me since I'm only getting three hens and a chicken tractor from Tractor Supply. Thank you for posting this.

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

Good luck with your chickens I hope they are doing well 🌸 🌼 🌻 🌞

[@cheesekake1841]

I feel the same. After watching many videos on how to start raising chicken, this is the best video so far. 👍

[@yerneedsry]

@@cheesekake1841 add splash of viegar to there water everytime keeps them health DE food grade for lice do about every 3 months just spread it around very fine dust so dont breathe it, do deep layer bedding in the coop if your in a cold area in winter , im in Minnesota so my chickens have lived threw -50 days never lost one yet . I use a omlet door never have to let them in and out there 5 min. light from it tells them its bed time they usually go in earlier you time the omlet.

[@jobo1053]

I could listen to you all day, your voice is so lovely. Thanks for this I'm embarking on my chicken journey this week.

[@talongrove6571]

FYI we clean and dry our egg shells (in a smoker without adding any wood, just heat or oven) around 200°F for an hour or 2. We crush or grind them and feed them back to the hens. It boosts their calcium. We also gove insoluble grit and occasionally oyster shell grit as well. Also we put a little apple cider vinegar in their water. Not much - approx a teaspoon to a gallon. It helps prevent pasty butt & egg binding. Some chicken varieties are more prone to becoming egg bound - especially those that are prolific egg producers.

[@TheHenHaus]

Howdy from Texas! Loved your videos!

[@RainbowGardens]

Wonderful! Thanks for stopping by!

[@elizabethblane201]

You treat your chickens very well. Since this video was made, the price of food is such that these hens' diet might suffice for an adult human.

[@RainbowGardens]

Very true! Lol They are mostly eating scratch, food scraps, and chicken feed now....

[@tammyplourde2859]

I agree!

[@NannaC28910]

Hello! Great Video. I’d like to have your recipe for the mix the chickens eat. I love that you are thinking not only of their health but ours when they lay an egg. Thank You!!!

[@steveconnor5388]

I'm going to start keeping backyard Chickens I have and raise pigeons for yrs now I'm going to keep Chickens this video is excellent and very informative

[@RainbowGardens]

That is awesome!

[@RiveraDelta_Homestead]

Very helpful. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@gaildubas8651]

Lots of work that I didn’t realize and I definitely did not know about fly attraction. Thank you

[@RainbowGardens]

You’re welcome 😊

[@PlantNative]

This lady has such a lovely, relaxing voice. Very informative.

[@RainbowGardens]

Wow, thank you!

[@sunshine_1111x]

Very nice,informative video 😊❤❤❤🐓

[@RainbowGardens]

Many many thanks

[@bmcdonald7303]

Thank you for using not only your knowledge and experience but also your research and references.

[@RainbowGardens]

So nice of you

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Such a comprehensive video just chalk-full of relevant info! Thanks so much for putting this out there!

[@RainbowGardens]

You're so welcome!

[@TheINFP_Diary]

love this video

[@darlene5621]

I also put some ashes from the fire place in their dust bath mine loveee it. I also put de in the coop on the shavings & nest boxes it keeps the scaly leg mites down as they walk through the shavings in the coop its on their feet & their sitting on it helps under their wings. I clean around with the kitty litter scoop so it stays clean & no smell. Like your info good channel.👍

[@RainbowGardens]

Great tips! thanks for sharing!

[@ELRenaud]

wow - I learned so much - I'm thinking about getting maybe 3 chickens and a tractor. I've never had chickens - just cats.

[@RainbowGardens]

You'll LOVE having fresh eggs!

[@janethallett2841]

Getting my first this week. This video has helped me so much. Great information

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ShakiraYah]

Please please please do an updated routine!! New chicken mom here would love to know about your coop, food , how they are laying now .❤

[@RainbowGardens]

Will do!

[@karensimonpeterson3574]

Thanks for a great, informative video. I give my chickens and duck greens every day too. I’ve read that it’s not good to give them spinach and kale more than once or twice a week. In this winter, we get our greens, for free, from our local food co-op. You would be amazed at what the stores throw away. It’s all organic and twice a week my husband picks up a large garbage bag full of their unwanted produce. Once, we found a whole, perfectly good watermelon in the bag!

[@alarcon99]

Karen Simon Peterson great tip about the food coop thanks! The thing about kale and spinach is because they are calcium binding but you can give collard greens, which are not

[@cheesekake1841]

Heh.. I need to hit up my local food co-ops... Thanks for the great idea! 😁

[@stevomania12]

Your videos are so informative. You have a new fan from Australia.

[@christynm.8933]

❤👍GREAT VIDEO! VERY INFORMATIVE! BEST VIDEO IVE SEEN SO FAR AND IM WATCHING IN FEB. 2024 SO THANKYOU! 😁❤️

[@heissovereign]

I really enjoyed this video like I do all your others. So informative and essential in content. Straight to the point...😀 Thank you 😊

[@mrsesta1119]

Awe I love this video and your chickies 🥰 I'm (unsuccessfully) trying to get my husband to let me get a small flock. Maybe one day. 🤪

[@RainbowGardens]

You can do it!

[@allysonwinbush9933]

This is perfect timing! Cobb FINALLY is allowing chickens. News was released back in February. And we moved so no longer do we have an HOA. R and I were just talking last night about getting started. Miss you guys and hoping you are healthy and safe!

[@RainbowGardens]

Hey Girl! I've been wanting to call you but I do not have your number. I lost my contacts when I changed my computers. Anyway, so exciting you can get chickens! Call me or shoot me over your email address if you can?

[@WesD85]

So much information which is great for me as I'm about to get my first chickens. Thank you

[@MM-fr9yh]

I love your videos. Very well explained with supply information, how to, etc.

[@carriecreates1207]

Thank you, I really learned so much!! We are turning a unused shed into our chicken coop. We have two acres. Your video was very informative!!!

[@barbarahoover3941]

Just found your channel, love it so much great information .... Really like how you tell all the steps about the chickens.. Thanks

[@RainbowGardens]

Sure thing! Thanks so much! I am working on a chicken update video now and hope to post it next week.

[@melaa8617]

Best video I’ve seen on chicks. Loved this video!

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mzpenelopepitstop]

I love this video! Thanks you for making it, it’s so encouraging! 🙋🏼‍♀️💕

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad you liked it!!

[@maggidull1952]

You have presented a very thorough informative chicken video. Thank you.

[@KeesHoneyBees]

I've watched were some people feed the egg shells back to the chickens to help give them calcium. Calcium is also in the oyster shells. I know they need it to lay healthy eggs.

[@brettwhiteMusicFan]

I have been advised against this several times. They say hens will learn to destroy their own eggs

[@CluckyBaby]

I love your voice and accent ❣️

[@BrucesShop]

I love this. Well we still have snow on the ground (a foot) on April 4 . You don't have cold winters We do Way up here in western Canada. I am not saying anything bad( I do want city chickens). I want some bees and chickens.

[@RainbowGardens]

he good thing about chickens is they love cold weather, but hate heat. You may find chickens can tolerate your winters very easily, provided you select the right breed. I suggest contacting a local breeder in your area to see which breed they suggest. Some people warm their coops with a heat lamp or coop radiator. I hope you can get chickens as they are very enjoyable and give you fresh eggs!!

[@alarcon99]

Breeding your own meal worms is really easy. Also, you might want to consider black soldier fly larvae for protein and if you are able to keep bsfl in a bin (like a worm bin) they repel house flies.

[@bobbiewilliams3109]

How do you raise your own mealworms?

[@alarcon99]

@@bobbiewilliams3109 lots of vids on it but basically, get some live meal works. raise them by providing them oat bedding. they will pupate. allow beetles to breed. eggs will hatch. you can build a neat farm by using a 3 drawer desktop plastic storage case and putting messing one one of the drawers so as the beetles mate and eggs hatch the mealworms fall into bottom drawer with more oatmeal bedding and grow.

[@naplescajun]

They've gotten so big! Very good video--thank you.

[@robingalloway3541]

Very good info for a small coop. Just thinking about some way to raise the coop off the ground in winter? We can get a foot or more of snow. Love the sleeping bag idea, maybe add plastic over the sleeping bag loosely to keep it dry? Any thoughts out there im all ears

[@RainbowGardens]

Covering it loosely with plastic sounds good as long as air is allowed to flow under it. We also plug up the windows good if it gets icey cold and there's a lot of wind expected. You could design a tractor with large wheels to keep it higher off the ground. Let us know how it goes!!

[@donaldsmith3048]

After doing your egg shell in the blinder try putting some out for the chicken. Sometimes they go nuts for it and sometimes they don't. I think if the feed has enough of what they need they will not eat it, but if they need it then it is there for them. Maybe some for the chickens and some for compost.

[@RainbowGardens]

Thanks for the tip!

[@karenjones9422]

Thanks for all the good info on chickens. Can a coop like yours withstand high winter winds without blowing over or around since it's not anchored to the ground?

[@debrah8117]

How often do you clean out your coop and do you put new pine shavings in every time? I love your channel and appreciate all the in-depth detailed research that you do. I come to your channel first for any gardening questions I may have and now I want chickens!!

[@RainbowGardens]

Hi Debra! I clean it out once a weekand replace with new shavings. Mid-week, I add new shavings to keep it refreshed.

[@lostsilver2106]

I look forward for your next video. You have a great way of really teaching!! I ❤️ your work. Is the next video coming soon? Thanks 😊

[@RainbowGardens]

I uploaded an update to this video about 2 weeks ago. Have you seen it?

[@bobbiewilliams3109]

Wow!! Unbelievable! You have provided so much more info on various things about raising chickens. I really like it that you use DE and recommend it to give to the chickens and to use in their dust bath. Be sure to state that it does need to be “Food Grade” DE. We mix a tablespoon of it in a small glass of water and drink occasionally. It does help with internal parasites. I have listened, Watched many KZbin videos, obtained library books on raising chickens and have not heard detailed information like you have provided. We too want to have about three laying hens. We love fresh eggs. I had heard from a homesteader, that store bought eggs are shipped and maybe five to six weeks old before they are in the stores for consumers to purchase. What health benefit is that? I am a first time listener and I quickly subscribed at the start of your video. Can’t wait to hear more from you!

[@RainbowGardens]

Thank you so much! We love our fresh eggs! I hope you can get some little chicks too.

[@patshipp9195]

Very informative video, thank you. God Bless

[@marlahaddock7084]

Love your video and information, was very helpful, :)

[@deeag4907]

Hi there what is the size of the doggy pen you purchased?

[@RainbowGardens]

I believe it was 4 feet in diameter.

[@michelleh7133]

You can do a larger dust bath container if you put it down and move the tractor on top of it.

[@RainbowGardens]

That's a good idea

[@saminairfan45]

Very informative video😍 . Just wondering if you could use the egg shells for grits since you are grinding anyway?

[@RainbowGardens]

Good question! Not sure. Some people say it may encourage them to eat their own eggs? Idk

[@ronoconnor8971]

We are about to start a four bird flock and are doing our due dilegence by watching several videos a day. My question here is about the de. I need it for my pool filter, now I have to see the difference between leslies pool supply vs food grade

[@RainbowGardens]

Your going to love having your own fresh eggs!

[@cypressmoon5090]

Thank you. I learned a lot!

[@RainbowGardens]

I'm so glad!

[@rebeccadees2300]

Excellent video.

[@RainbowGardens]

Thank you very much!

[@brainwaker6969]

You have very happy chickens :)

[@abbymikala]

Very helpful information! Love your channel!

[@RainbowGardens]

Thanks so much!

[@paulraymondamoah564]

I really appreciate your efforts and the rest of action for reaching out to you and wish to request for the type of breed and where to place an order for day old bird's

[@RainbowGardens]

Video coming soon!

[@avabishop753]

Thanks for your very informative video. I love watching your content👍

[@cheriejohnson9445]

Very informative video! Thank you so much for sharing. Did you build your chicken tractor and little house? It’s so cute

[@RainbowGardens]

Thank you so much! I actually purchased the one in the video, but had a local carpenter make me one like it for my rotating flock. I hope to upload an update video on the chickens and what I am now doing differently very soon!

[@cindybroadus3277]

Just viewed this and it’s perfect for my plans for a few Easter Eggers I live alone and love chickens as well as making omelets. Where did you get that wonderful little tractor coop? Thanks for all your info and I watched your growing lettuces indoors I have two containers right now in January that have beautiful mixed greens thriving on a double south facing window shelf including several kales, mustards, Pak Choi and even some miniature red cabbages all getting quite large. Got to have healthy foods for my little flock too🤗

[@RainbowGardens]

I purchased the tractor online about 13 years ago but just recently began using it. The guy who made them is no longer in business. It is called the Briar chicken tractor/coop. He made them for Williams Sonoma. Another guy who lives in my area made another one for me, almost identical! I hope to share some of this information in an upcoming video.

[@cindybroadus3277]

@@RainbowGardens please do I have heard that there is a major rush to by chicks so I want to get healthy good one I do like yours immensely and was smiling watching them my daughter once dubbed me the “Chicken Whisperer” 😆👩🏻‍🌾

[@cindybroadus3277]

I think 2 or 3 is about my limit in my situation

[@RainbowGardens]

@@cindybroadus3277 Meanwhile, if you want to check out his website, here it is: www.coopmastersinc.com/ You'll see my tractor he built for me in the Gallery section of his website.

[@cindybroadus3277]

@@RainbowGardens Thank you!

[@brendaboles3875]

Very informative, thanks for sharing!😊

[@hotdogfrenchfries5707]

Have you ever considered fermenting the chicken feed? I saw a couple of people who raise Cornish cross do it so that the chickens can digest their food better

[@RainbowGardens]

Interesting! I haven't tried it.

[@karensimonpeterson3574]

I’ve been fermenting my chicken feed since my flock were just chicks. They love it and it’s easy to do. I, also, put a little apple cider vinegar in their water a couple times a week. These two things, in addition to the DE have kept my little flock very healthy.

[@sloanehodge6065]

Love this video! Just viewed.

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@my3acrehomestead611]

awesome info

[@tommyal4359]

Great video, very informative! I hope when I die I can come back as one of your chickens!!! 🙏🏻 😀

[@RainbowGardens]

haha

[@tomsd8656]

The only problem is the work to keep things clean and tidy in the coop and everywhere else. After a while I have no time for that. Also, I like to have them free range, not cooped up, but it won't work because predators will pick them all. The only alternative is having a large enclosed area, or guardian dogs, but that's costly, because you'd have to have the land to begin with.

[@walterrussell7584]

That’s a good idea for your chicken roost

[@curtissaidso5048]

Love your accent 💖

[@RainbowGardens]

😊 thank you

[@thomasgronek6469]

Really nice set up. Is there anything that you would change (In addition to the wheels) about the design, now that you've used the coop for a while ?

[@RainbowGardens]

Thank you for asking. I would rather the run have vertical panels instead of diagonal. It would make it easier to attach cage cups and such. I have since got another tractor with almost the same design except the carpenter put large wooden wheel on it for me and they work better.

[@SpiritDonkey]

Great video!

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Hersheysquirtyow]

Love love your chicken care your awesome

[@RainbowGardens]

Thanks so much

[@REESEYB434]

I live in Virginia and us to raise chickens was going to again this year❤️❤️

[@RainbowGardens]

Great idea! I hope more people will too!

[@abrarhussain692]

Fine and good!

[@SunshineCountryChickens]

Great video thank you 🌸 🌼 🌻 🌞

[@RainbowGardens]

You are so welcome

[@ninasandifer5973]

This message was short but more meaningful than some hour long filtered studio set with AI and sound systems and mirrors and speakers and music and a formula that they are being told is how they have to do it to get the message across . Eeeeerk stop right there… NO YOU DO NOT NEED ALL THE FANCY EQUIPMENT TO GET A POINT ACROSS. I like to see the simple that don’t try to be political about the content or to be over and beyond. So simple makes a bigger impact because your mind is not so un focused trying to absorb all that instrumentation to tell a message. Thank you for being organic .

[@RainbowGardens]

Thank you for your comment!

[@Marshacrt]

Where did you get the coop. I’ve looked and looked

[@marybusbee2068]

Thank you for this video.

[@RainbowGardens]

My pleasure!

[@budgetingbydeenaus]

Very good video.

[@RainbowGardens]

Thanks for the visit

[@dailynature3712]

that is great information. i am subscribing your channel.

[@RainbowGardens]

Awesome, thank you!

[@RainbowGardens]

I have 2 more chicken videos you may find helpful too! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5u9m3ejma6YpKc&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE and kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHbYl61nbKesi7c&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE

[@mysonsRnavy]

I also heard pumpkin is good to deworm chickens.

[@RainbowGardens]

Interesting!

[@rogerw5725]

garden to kitchen is what its about

[@RainbowGardens]

For sure!

[@whitetrim1]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@RainbowGardens]

You bet

[@angoraknitter]

Where did you get that coop? It’s much nicer than what I’ve seen online.

[@cookingsherry8784]

Do you compost your pine chips after putting DE in it? Does DE kill the earthworms, or does it break down so it doesn't harm the earthworms in the compost?

[@patshipp9195]

Instead of composting your eggshells you might want to mix them in with the calcium supplement you give them as eggshells are loaded with calcium, to save money and stretch your calcium usage.

[@Drredrose]

Where can I purchase a chicken coop like the chicken me present in the video

[@Marshacrt]

Where did you get your coop???

[@ladyhawkNone]

Ty very thorough!

[@TIERRAYLOMBRICES]

Than you.

[@jameskennerly9748]

Thank you!

[@RainbowGardens]

You're welcome!

[@skybox-101]

You mentioned clod hardy. How about oklahoma heat hardy. Some weeks gets in the 100s.

[@mumbaibalconygardenerhobbies]

❤️🤩 , will watch now .

[@amyjohnson9240]

Great video thank you

[@riss6647]

I live in Kentucky and just got chicks last week. How long do you think i should wait to move them outside? I'm worried about about getting too cold with it getting chilly at night. I'll put the heat plate with them but it's my first time so I'm nervous.

[@RainbowGardens]

I don't mean ve them out until they have all their feathers, usually around 6 weeks.

[@lorenazamor2939]

Where you buy the chicken food I know some stores but I would like to know other places 🤔

[@RainbowGardens]

Tractor Supply

[@snowpea10]

How do you take care of your chickens when you have to travel?

[@vickiedotson4203]

Where did you get the chicken tractor

[@lisastinson5150]

The hemp is superior bedding over all of the rest

[@sleeplessinthecarolinas8118]

Great content! Thank you.

[@RainbowGardens]

Glad it helped!

[@lorenazamor2939]

Hello very good information but I have a cuestions when you buy chick's are they vaccinate already ? Thanks 😊

[@RainbowGardens]

When you order, you can choose whether to vaccinate. They are not already vaccinated, you will need to pay for it.

[@mosesmiyambo1079]

What was the expenditure of your project in 8 months in comparison with your 105 eggs yield ?

[@RainbowGardens]

That's a great question! It's hard to say but we got 6 to 7 dozen eggs a month from these three hens and they didn't require much feed due to the fact they were small, egg laying, hens and not dual purpose breeds. Our feed to egg conversion is egg-cellent with our small flocks.

[@mosesmiyambo1079]

@@RainbowGardensI would have loved to know amount of money spent in total and what was realized if eggs were sold .Record of expenditure is key in such projects !

[@jackrudden5970]

where did you get the mat at the bottom of the inside part of your coop? i have plywood at the bottom of mine and its starting to fall apart a little bit.

[@RainbowGardens]

Hi Jack, it is a shop mat turned upside down, I picked it up at Home Depot. I cut it to fit my floor. However, as the summer heat sets in, I may remove it because there are slats on my floor to help with ventilation.

[@Valentine828]

At what point do u introduce dust bath to chicks? Thank u

[@RainbowGardens]

I think around a few weeks old.