Raising Baby Chicks at the Homestead!

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Long overdue, but we have BABY CHICKS at the Epic Homestead! In today's video, we scrounge up materials to house the chicks, they get delivered, and update after a few weeks of raising them!
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[@epichomesteading]

Comment names below!

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

Science theme: Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Lise Meitner, Sally Ride, Hedy Lamarr ... That's all I got.

[@thatjerseyb]

Please name the Rhode Island Red Rhoda.... or Reba...

[@kathleenbeardsley425]

Prada for the silver one to go with Gucci

[@Sathiera]

You named the Gold chick Gucci so I was trying to think of high end name for silver. Turns out there is a brand called AG which happens to be Silver on the periodic table.

[@Sathiera]

You know that song Lavender Blue? You could just call the lavender one Dilly. Silly I know know, but why not 😊

[@jonigarciajg]

I wanted chickens this year, my husband was so smart, he said we had to get baby chicks so he could bond with them. He knew he'd be doing most of the work and that he would enjoy it more if he loved them. They are now 8 weeks old, spent 6 weeks in our living room. My husband kisses them on the head, his plan worked!

[@reshabriella]

Anyone else noticed that while you were talking up Miss Lavender, and were about to try to not say she was a favourite, Buttah jumped on your arm as if to remind you who is really your favourite girl? LOL. That was so cute!

[@thepokekid01]

This just makes me want to have chickens even MORE!

[@nicolekay9789]

They are the best pets. I love them so much!

[@Asterly1]

Same!!!!!

[@martinlaukkanen1652]

If you're just starting, get point of lay hens, it's easier

[@jpjohns23]

If they’re in San Diego, where in the world is Carmen?

[@epichomesteading]

LOL

[@thyme4coffee203]

They will get out and be hard to find and poop everywhere! Nice work!

[@TheBourneHomestead]

YAY so fun! Congrats Kevin, so eggciting!!! We absolutely love ours, we ordered 2 more chicks this year. We named our Lavender Orpingtons Laverne and Shirley, our buffs Reba and Dolly, and our Black Australorps Morticia and Wednesday. ❤

[@pvp6077]

Perfect. Excellent. Genius.

[@bravowhiskey4684]

I have 30 babies in a big plastic tub in the mudroom. It works fine, no need for anything fancy… they just crap on it anyway. 😂 Orps are super friendly, you will probably find the buff to be the most affectionate of the flock. This year I have buff orps, black copper marans, cuckoo marans, blue andalusians, Araucanas, and still waiting for my sapphire gems to come in.

[@MacCrocodile82]

Seems clear to me that the silver-laced wyandotte should be Tiffany.

[@epichomesteading]

LOL

[@allisonborzoni7123]

Yessss!

[@saddleupsnooty]

💕💕awww that’s how I raised mine too. They’re so needy! I can’t go anywhere without it them following me! I always wait to name mine, a name always comes. The one I rescued stole a chip out my dads hand a couple weeks after we had her so no guesses to why her name is chip 🤣🤣🤣 they seem to choose their names round here 🤣 can’t wait to follow this journey

[@antonianovoa6416]

The homesteaders I watch have the chick feed in tubs with tops, to avoid rodent intrusion. You really selected some adorable ones!!!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Kevin, well, I guess that Floppy, Mopsy, and Cottontail are out as far as chicky names go.🤣😂 When our daughters were young, we got a Siamese kitten which my husband named Lady. He didn't like it when I called her Ladybug, but it wasn't long until we all called her Bug because she loved to get into everything. Whatever you decide to name them, it might change once their personalities start to emerge. Have a safe and Happy St. Paddy's day everyone! 🍀☘

[@janettelittle3347]

We got a few new chicks and gave 2 to a friend. We already have 5 chickens and our city has a limit as to how many we are allowed to have. The names of the new ones are Sophia, Nugget, Hennifer Lopez, Reese Featherspoon. My kids picked out and named Sophia, and Nugget, so Hennifer and Reese went to live on my friends farm.

[@TheGoldfox9111]

You should name one of them Henrietta. Also you should start raising your own mealworms. They eat table scraps, and your chickens would love them.

[@UrbanChickenMomma]

💕💕💕I named my girls after famous beautiful women. Marilyn, Eva, Ginger, Lucy, Sophia, Gracie, & Vivian. I’ve also had Zsa Zsa, Maryann & Goldie. Any name you chose will be great. The names you already chose are adorable. 🥰🥰🥰

[@camille.c]

i like that idea! in a similar vein... eartha kitt, hedy lamarr (who was also an inventor!), zelda...

[@KelsieHawk19]

Pine Shavings are perfectly fine to use and is what we use! You can still do the deep litter system with pine shavings as well. They break down to dust and it works really well when you throw in some of their treats into the litter for them to dig around themselves so they can mix it up for you. We throw our old litter into their run for them to dig through even more and its great!

[@user-mg8gb8gm7i]

When we had chicks as a kid there were three that had chipmunk-like markings so we named them Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. Simon was the only boy, and my favorite of the bunch

[@JenniferVerdin]

My chickens names are pecky, karen, Drumstick, cupcake, vroom vroom, buttons, bluey, bonnie, rosie, and red feel free to use them if they fit your girls. We waited awhile to name them until we knew their personality. We also have all them same kind so they needed to colored ankle bands and they came with charms on them which helped us name them. I love the the 'Gucci' ..wayyyy cute!

[@pamt8430]

So cute!!! Glad you are handling them so much. I made the mistake of not doing that. Live and learn. (they do respond to my voice so that is a plus) Our girls are named "old lady" names...and they LOVE to 'gossip.' Bernice likes to 'talk' loudly about the neighbors. Sadie 'talks' about her sisters. Blanche and Agnes chime in on all of the 'gossip'. When I work from home and have the back door open they tell me everything going on in the neighborhood. Makes my days so my better!!!

[@nlcpope]

Ready for a chick update!! How are the liking the amazing Carolina Coop??

[@yeevita]

They are adorable! Socializing them is great! I used to run around with my mom’sflock when I was little. She actually had roosters. I thought the chickies were all magnificent.

[@phylliscraine]

Truthfully I've brooded baby checks twice very successfully using a watermelon box from Costco. These are open at thew top and are 3 feet tall and about 4 feet square. The store will give it away for free and by the time the chicks can fly up to the top of the box it's time to move them into the coop anyway (e.g. when about 8 weeks or so because they will be label to tolerate temps below 50-60 degrees. That trough is really low and they grow *really* fast, they'll be flying to the top of that tub in no time lol.

[@goldierocks.]

My chicks are six weeks old today. Pine shavings has worked well for me. I moved them to the coop three weeks ago (Texas). I have 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes, a Lavender Orpington, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 3 Black Cooper Marans, two Easter Eggers, a Black Australorp, and a Speckled Sussex. I hope I don’t end up with a bunch of roosters! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@lorianderson2008]

My gold laced Wyandotte was my biggest fluffy butt and my best broody hen. I called her Big Mama.

[@avagreenoak6402]

Your silver one should be called Sterling.

[@VaultDwellerGal]

😂🤣 On the heater box it looks like the chicken is watching a tv

[@mestisagass9314]

Maybe Sage, Ginger, or Nutmeg. Or another theme of country singers- Dolly, Reba, or Patsy. I don't really listen to country music but seeing chickens made me think of it. lol.

[@camille.c]

please tell me you're giving them names 😍 personally i think naming them after famously unhinged female literary characters would be fun edit: got too excited by cute chickens and didn't watch through lol. how about Marple (after agatha christie) for the Cream Legbar?

[@epichomesteading]

LOL

[@annakramar5088]

Miss Daisy, Buttercup, Blush, Red Scarlet, Silver Penny.. See Mark from "Self Sufficient Me" Chicken solving issues🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔

[@vt155]

Lavender is going to be a beautiful friendly hen

[@charliegroves]

I was literally just thinking: "When will there be a new Epic Homesteading video" - and here it is! Great job as always Kevin & Jacques.

[@cuttwice3905]

The Rhode Island Red could be named "Auburn".

[@Rkossin0]

We just got our first 4 and went back to watch all your chicken videos. Definitely a huge help thanks so much. My boys love them Sky, Cloud, Beauty, and Orca

[@dustinfinlinson3203]

Free tip....cover the top of your brooder with press-n-seal wrap. Then you just peel and replace when it gets covered in poop. And it will.

[@epichomesteading]

Trust me I learned this the hard way hahahaha

[@dustinfinlinson3203]

@@epichomesteading those are also not water tight so you can't clean them easily I had to take mine apart and dry it out. Sad because it would not be hard to make it water tight.

[@SaraCBear]

Lavender is such a cute name!! 🥰 And Gucci is cute too lol

[@marthadirkes3211]

The silver should be named Sterling. The chick food as apposed to layer feed is higher protein to help them grow and feather.

[@fayexsaturns]

Ahhhh, we have 8 chickens. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

[@MsJay0913]

So cute!!! Sigh... I'm just waiting for the day. 🥰 I would maybe put one of those little plastic socket covers in that empty one.. Or are they not quite THAT inquisitive..? 😉

[@rogaineablar5608]

Surprised to see a Tractor Supply in San Diego of all places...

[@humanbeing1168]

City farmers has chicken supplies also.

[@christinebessett388]

I love my chicks. Once we hung the feeder it was a game changer. No more poop in the feed or scratching it out. Nipple waterers are the best

[@cassieoz1702]

I made my brooder 'pen' from an IBC. We cut the top 1/3 off and made a hinged wooden lid. It's big enough to warm a lamb in if needed.

[@Silly-Little-Mama]

Our chicks are about 3 weeks now. We’ve named four of the five so far: Lady, Chica, Scratch, Coco. My kids named them.

[@christophervanmeier1648]

A side note to pay attention to. When my wife and I got ours (148 chicks), we realized that the small water jug wouldn't work. We used and old bath tub. A mistake. They would fall in and drown. We then built a submerged ramp...they did the same. We ended up going with the full sized feeders and water jug, suspended from rafters in our coop. They could get to the feed and water, but couldn't fall in or mess up the feed. Are you going for eggs or meat?

[@epichomesteading]

WOW - crazy! I am going for eggs, yes

[@haruzaya5125]

I think Biscuit and Nugget would be cute names!!

[@DonnaLorenzen2009]

Cinnabar (Rhode Island Red) and Silvestra (silver laced Wyandotte)

[@rosea830]

Congrats on your new chickies! Your Gold-laced Wyandotte has a very prominent comb and I'm 70% sure he's a boy. Pine shavings are good, just don't get the fine ones as they sometimes get mistaken for food. Take the babies on field trips outside so they can acclimate. Congrats on your new chickies!

[@dreamingtreefarmstead]

The orpingtons will probably be the chillest as they grow up. The legbar will likely be flightier. As soon as I saw that tub I was gonna say, you need a cover... lol. You'll need a different feeder. They're getting too big for that little chick style. I firmly believe that everyone should start with chicks if you're going to have chickens. I just think it's a right of passage LOL.

[@PerfectPride]

Precious!!!! You could call the lavender one "Fluer". Since lavenders are flowers and she looks like a sweet little girl who needs a sweet little name. I love the name Gucci for the gold one, too funny. Rosetta would be cute for the red one. This is really exciting. I love chickies!

[@leeannandrews932]

I love when they do they're flutterby's (it's what I call it) when they learn to fly

[@epichomesteading]

Same hahaha

[@WindingRoadCrochet]

For names I love teh idea of having herb names. So Lavender, Thyme, Rosey for Rosemary and so on.

[@morecroutonsplz8053]

I recently incubated my own chicken eggs, first time ever doing anything like that and surprisingly all six eggs hatched. Watching the Lil babies hatch from an egg is a whole experience in itself, and luckily one I got to share with my younger siblings and nephew, they loved it! My set up was a bit more complicated but just as simple, my grandfather made his own brooder out of wood. It's essentially just a wooden chest, with little trap doors in the floor, leading to a cage attached to the side and heat lamps set up inside. I used newspaper as substrate coz it was easily cleanable, and opened the little doors everyday for them to come outside and explore. And when it came to water, I had this special cap that screwed onto a soft drink bottle, fill her up and turn it upside-down and I had my own Lil drinker. And for food I just used some old little dog food tins, they didn't have sharp edges and only stood to about 2 or 3 cm tall, perfect for my little chick's. I wasn't as successful with my duck eggs, I only got two out of six to hatch and one ended up passing away, which was my fault. Once the ducks hatched I moved the chickens into their coup, they were old enough to do so too. And once the duck grew old enough to leave the brooder I gave him his own rabbit hutch. I was worried he'd get lonely, but I noticed when the chickens approached him he would desperately follow them around and interact with them. After a while he started hanging out with the chickens, and I noticed instead of going back to his hutch for bed, he'd lay by the door of the coup. So one night I put him in with the chickens and he's been apart if the flock ever since. It melts my heart to see how well they work together too, when the chickens scratch at the grass and dirt, the duck comes waddling over and pecks around where they've scratched. And the chickens don't mind, they just move on and keep scratching I rambled alot there but my point is, I highly recommend hatching your own chickens, and if not then I highly recommend raising them from chicks, It's a whole new experience, and a great opportunity for children to get involved, annnd it's easier then you'd think. It won't always be successful but it's worth the risk. These little chick's you have here are absolutely gorgeous! They are going to love thier palace of a coup!

[@craftycorndawg]

Silver wyandotte named Pearl? RIR named Ralph ?! I love naming chickens. The best I ever had was Stevie Chicks or Chicki Minaj. Cluck Norris is always fun, too. Have fun this is the cutest, I love all the lil chirps. Also, I love buttah, so cute.

[@Chamgolden]

Opal, Sprout, and Lola are my name suggestions! I'm so excited to see their journey!

[@terrivance8750]

Kevin, The reason pine shavings & other conifer products are bad for birds is because the resin in conifers exude fumes that, over time, can cause respiratory issues. I'm asthmatic & know 1st hand the effect conifer resin fumes can have on lungs. Additionally, if ingested, the resins increase the chances of bowel impaction. Laura, of Garden Answer, uses an Espoma product for her chickens--worth checking into.

[@courtneybronnerwilliams5771]

Chickens are so fun - they have so much personality 😁

[@georgiasw7512]

Super cute! I like Lucy/Lucille for the Rhode Island Red, for the others Dolly, Clementine and Moonshine.😄

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo8566]

Look at the bay bayes 🐣 🐥I love my bay bay chicks so much they are pets🙏🌺🐾🐶🤍💕

[@cspeterson7533]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THE BABY CHICKS!!! Are you giving them a little grit too?

[@Tsuchimursu]

I'm planning on adding chicks this spring and this gets me twitching to get everything ready...

[@IHABP72]

I got my chicks delivered from backyardchickies today. Excited to get started...

[@davidthompson9359]

Looks like you got it in the correct order in getting your coop created and then order your chicks... lol. Our oldest chickens are turning 5 months old and I've only just started cutting lumber for our coop.

[@tracybellmar3357]

Names for the silver: cash, or dollar as in silver dollar. Sweet 🐥

[@jambohoofgood3417]

We love our lavender Orpington. We used to hold her while watching tv.

[@kelleyniemanatthebablerbar2769]

You’ll need a ventilated cover for your stock tank because they will be hopping out within a week. 😀

[@AlexandriaAndrews3]

Press N Seal on the brooder plate. Game changer.

[@richardzacholl2152]

We started ours right in the coop. Just ran an extension cord out there for the brooder.

[@melissac3313]

I am so sorry to hear about Goochi😢 my hens are 3 years old, I too recently lost my plymouth rock hen. She went peacefully in her sleep. No signs of illness. She is buried near my apple tree.

[@debrabullock4865]

If you’re feeding them mealworms you should also add chick sized grit. They don’t need it with their crumbles because it softens with water. The worms will need to be “chewed” with grit.

[@cynthiaarmstronghopefulhom9672]

Congratulations to your new Epic Chicks, I'm sure they will create a wonderful addition to the Epic Family . Also If you have a Lavender you must have a "Lace" or "Lacey " or just go by there personality now that you've gotten to spend some time with them.😊

[@fourcatsandagarden]

I know Lavender technically isn't the most creative name for a bird who is a 'lavender' colored bird but..its a really cute name.

[@mondraymondo]

YASSS no homestead is complete without chicky chicks! Ok I named my flock after bird names: Pigeon, Dodo, Emu, Kiwi, Ducky... then theres Goldie In case this helps inspire you

[@tinamtani]

Whoever is editing these deserves a raise!!

[@GavinAndShea]

My sister purchased some chicks for Easter last year and let each niece and nephew name them. We have Henrietta, Eggna and finally Rotisserie 🤯

[@Syntaxerror322]

Our chicks will be one year old on Monday! We recieved them as chicks and had the brooder in our side room till they were coop sized, the chirping was a great addition to the home.

[@shamancarmichael5305]

Socket protectors! Inquisitive little epic chickens are pretty close to that outlet! 😉🐣

[@1MzSyd1]

Loooove how you pointed out fresh new cuts. Where are we going TRACTOR SUPPLY lol. Perfect place to meet a future Mrs Epic!! Jacque semi new - like hey imma look good but im taken lol Fresh cuts needed :-)

[@TheHappyGardener]

Clearly your 1st time with chickens

[@epichomesteading]

Yup!

[@bucksbass.9482]

Little Chicks are ssssooooo CUTE🐥

[@teresalenaandprincessthedo4862]

I was like " I don't want to watch him" but then, you got chicks and I just got 4 yesterday and we have 8 month old chicks who each lay 1 egg a day, geeze what is up with all the synchronicity stuff happening all week they're actually really really clean I love him so much thanks for your videos🌻🥑💚🐾🐕‍🦺🌻🐣🐕‍🦺

[@epichomesteading]

LOL you're welcome

[@JaanikaRiiel]

The youngest and whitest one you could call "Lumi". It means "snow" in Estonian and sounds really nice :)

[@suenavivedisfruta558]

I like flower names. Rose, Tulip, Calendula and Rosemarie.😁

[@mondraymondo]

Since you're a gardener too how about flower names? Dahlia, Rose, Marigold, theres so many ideas!!

[@teresaaramini546]

Adorable lil 🐥

[@itsmeappleb9836]

Rubbles, Flakes, Chicklett, Lays... congrats to you new babies!!!!

[@gapey]

My wyandottes have always been the top of the pecking order. Have had two in the past. One of them actually came from my neighbor. She wouldn't leave his other chickens alone and was going to put her in freezer camp if I didn't take her. My rooster keeps the peace between the hens so it's worked out.

[@epichomesteading]

I hear this a lot!

[@jotaroslegs2345]

I love baby chicks and grown chickens. They are very friendly and will follow you all over. So sweet!

[@colleenreyes9770]

Congratulations, so cute! Pine shavings are fine, you’re doing great. I suggest offering some chick grit separately as you begin treats like the worms. My chicks loved scrambled eggs mixed with oats.

[@simongloutnez589]

Have fun man, you'll see how much personnality chickens will grow to have. If you spend enough time with them, you could easily tell them appart even if they were identical since their personnality will differ so much 😁😁 god damn I love my chickens! oh and you have a cream legbar!! They grow to look so funny and I would say, have such a nice vibe. Also, I feel it is quite normal for your alpha to be less affraid of you. Since she will kinda be taking care of the group. The alpha can also be changing with time. Anyway, Its a great thing to have them indoors with you. It will help with your relationship :)

[@savedatmoney4813]

With St Patrick's day around the corner I'd name the brown one Guinness 🤣

[@RoyHolder]

Lavern for the Lavender.. 👍

[@siamstation]

I have a Silkie chicken called Lavender as well. Snowball is broody at the moment and I am planning on setting her on 6 eggs. Love Gucci and you could stay with that theme. Congratulations on your little family. Just wait till you get your first egg. I took a pic of my first dozen eggs as I was just so thrilled.

[@OfficialNapTime]

It's been fun to watch your videos. I think it's funny that you're going to a feed store I used to live right next to (but never visited) and now I'm out in Texas with my own flock of chickens.

[@bravowhiskey4684]

Another tip: put the mason-jar type feeders inside a cookie tin (like the kind your grandma had those horrible butter cookies in). It’ll catch the raked out food, and you can pick out any debris and pour it back into the feeder.

[@groundmu11et]

I am currently using a modified dog kennel and it works well because you can slid out the bottom to clean.

[@brishank308]

Herbs 🌿and spices🌰: rosemary, clary sage, nutmeg, cardamom. Or fruits! I have a Plum and Rhubarb in my flock. Good luck, chicks are too fun!

[@pnwgardenergal1325]

Name to be considered for the Wyandotte (wine) Merlot 🍷

[@joannc147]

Oh my goodness! Such fun! I got my first 5 baby chicks and they are hanging out in a plastic tub in the bathroom. I can’t believe how much they’ve grown in 4 days. Kristen, of Carolina Coops, told me I can use the soon-to-be-delivered henhouse as a brooder. I’m in NC and temps are a bit cooler here. Love how they play on your hand. Interesting about your site…..last year I was a “gardener” and as of last Fri, I became a “homesteader”. Chicks and seedlings are thriving and ready to go outdoors! Thanks for another great post, Kevin!

[@epichomesteading]

Respect!

[@TsuniNightMMO]

hanging their food and water from a bored or the top of your coop works really well for helping keep the shavings out of the food/water. You should get a silkie and a polish. Both very fun chickens.

[@wade8067]

Try giving them some meal worms or black fly larvae. I got some chickens that were little fluff balls a month ago and at about 2 weeks old they started chowing down and nearly doubled in size, now they are looking healthy and strong.

[@epichomesteading]

They've had mealworms and love them!