BEST NO-NONSENSE EASY GUIDE to RAISING YOUR NEW BABY CHICKS with success!

BEST NO-NONSENSE EASY GUIDE to RAISING YOUR NEW BABY CHICKS with success! We've done this before..but this time I'm giving you more details than I've ever given ...simply the best advice on the web! Hope ya'll enjoy!
(LOOKING FOR TOOLS AND GOODIES USED ON THE FARM CHANNEL..HERE YA GO! www.amazon.com/shop/stoneyrid...
(affiliate paid link to our Amazon page!)
Hatchery Link: www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/inde...
SUPPORT THE FARM....PICK UP A HAT OR STONEY RIDGE T-SHIRT HERE:
www.stoneyridgefarmer.com
Follow Us on Facebook: / stoneyridgefarmer
Support this Farm as a Channel Member:
/ @stoneyridgefarmer
Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:33 The setup
27:47 Our mobile chicken tractor
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@LandtoHouse]

1" = 10cm. Thats going to be fun in the comments. :)

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol

[@jameswitte5167]

Someone has a fishermans ruler ... 😆

[@nijagaradavidson8659]

I'm dying here :)

[@vasurasiah]

10 cm = 4”

[@iwona4685]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer 1" = 2.5 cm ☺

[@XDalfie-_-.Q]

I’m a 12 year old boy and this is a big help because I’m hatching my own eggs right now day 1

[@darlenebell2345]

I hope everything went well

[@vexslayer]

I raised 20 meat birds this summer based on your videos and had amazing success 20 of 21 survived and I harvested half at 10 weeks average 6 to 7 lbs and the rest at 12 weeks average 8 to 12 lbs of the best chicken I have ever eaten ......thanks for your great videos

[@cakeman8406]

Awww, I love the baby chicks. I wish these were permanent!

[@memyselfandifarmer]

Another tip like the widow screen. I have the same water feeder, place it on stone, raise it up, less mess. Food feeder, mine looks like the water feeder. I use string and hold it up off the floor, less mess. Predators= I made a wire mesh screen frame. Chicken wire etc, clamp it down to the top of the tank. Window screen goes on top of it.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

there ya go! Good ideas for sure. We had to graduate up to a bigger waterer and feeder after 3 days! These birds are eating machines!

[@TheEutrophic]

Really like the solar light idea

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

It works! It also keeps folks off your property! We have them all over the farm in trees...when folks come down near our property they light up over top of the POSTED signs

[@cindybroadus3277]

I love to see happy and enthusiastic people doing life with positive attitude. You’re a great coach!

[@Logo800]

Just found your channel. I've been binge watching!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Welcome!!

[@jonathanmadsen9338]

Just got my first order today and I've watched your videos before and I am greatfully appreciative of your videos! Down here in Spartanburg SC! Thanks!

[@rares7114]

I want to start a chicken business so this helps a lot!!

[@26Marlow]

Also, one thing we learned (we lost 15 out of 50) is to give them the electrolytes along with a dish of regular water when they arrive. They sell these packets at tractor supply. We had heat plate designed for 50....but think it was overcrowding that some died, before we got a heat lamp in addition. They are almost 2 weeks old now, doing well 👍

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I've never had to give them electrolytes .....and I've been doing this for years. You may have been overcrowded. I've had the hatchery send out the electrolyte mix before...I've honestly seen no difference. The feed is designed by a nutritionist to contain all of the minerals, vitamins and protein the birds need, I'm sorry you lost so many birds...better to give them a bit more space..they will overcrowd for sure. I believe 1 of these heater brooder pads is supposed to support 35 chicks...I have 2 in my brooder. 35 meat birds is all you want in a 100 gallon brooder....it's getting crowded fast!

[@26Marlow]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer thanks so much for your advice and making these videos! Helps us out!

[@shellymb]

Sometimes you get more losses if they had a rough trip! I’m sorry you loss so many.

[@nayona3901]

aww i am sorry of what happened

[@dannywilsher4165]

I have always used the water bottle that they make for rabbits. It stays clean and it is much easier than the typical waterer and they can't drown in water drops...

[@dawnwarner4558]

Omg! Love this guy! Just got my chicks today. First video I watched…. Poopy butt. Yep one of my chicks had poopy butt. Cleaned her off. She’s a happy girl now. Thank you for these very informative videos. Very much a newbie here!

[@theMekanik]

Feeding my baby chickens I found its easier to feed them in a clear plastic tote that fits inside their Plastic 55 gallon main brooder tote. When they get a little older & start scratching the food will be thrown everywhere but it will stay in the bin 😅🤗 no good is lost that way, when they get to big for the food bin in the 55 gallon. I get a larger plastic bin & move it outside the 55 gallon tote, they do the same thing just jump in the bin scratch & eat. Yes the y poop in it so I only pour little piles in the edge of their food bin, the poop breaks down & they eat around it. If their is still good in there after they are done eating, I just lean the bin on one side and the food all gathers in the edge. I leave it there until the have finished then clean the bucket out, and repeat the process. Plastic is the way to go it’s hella easy to clean up, & I use wood pellets as their litter. Just like it thin & build it up as you go like you said, misting it with water to help the pellets absorb the poop.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Sounds pretty labor intensive my friend. All I do is start in the 100 gallon tub...add a new layer of shavings every day and after a few days upgrade to larger feeders and waterers supported by the "quick grips" no food waste, no huge mess and when I'm done I'll take the "compost" and run a little water in it, dump it out in a spot on the farm that needs some nutrition in the soil..it makes grass jump out of the ground like a frog on fire! WOooooO The 100 gallon tote is a lifetime purchase...we just rinse it and store it outside in the barnyard upside down on cinder blocks. It's easy to clean and very durable. The goal is to keep feed off the floor of the brooder, which can get wet and cause bacteria and keep them warm and dry until we put them in the mobile coop

[@RebeccaYoung3]

You're an awesome narrator! I'm getting my first batch of chicks end of Oct. and your videos are my chicken bible.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I hope you're in a warm southern area.....late october is a bit late in the year for chicks...you'll find yourself having to keep them in the brooder much longer if ur in a cool state.

[@RebeccaYoung3]

Yes. Sunny Florida.

[@brianmeattey4151]

More chicks .awsome . And great to see ya today Mr stoney ridge .I really needed a lil uplift ..godbless bud

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I think we all do Brian...keep ur chin up brotha!

[@brianmeattey4151]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer I'm trying brotha but my lady is failing she like I've said has holes all thru her lungs and on oxegen 24/7and now spitting blood so she is failing faster .I love her much but don't expect her to be here much longer and financially I'm not ready for it excetra .but sorry to tell you my problems but we do love ya and your vids .godbless bro

[@thevictorianedge5465]

I'm ready for me chicks this year. You gave great advice to all the newbies!!! Woohoo

[@clashavenfarms6714]

Our chicks in April did great thanks to tips and tricks from the Stoney Ridge Farmer. Thanks Josh Wooo!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Great to hear!

[@addieanderson2043]

I use a rolling tote from Walmart. I have two. It is easy to roll it out side and hose it out.

[@rares7114]

Love you guys! Keep it going!

[@kilajai]

Oh my God. The intro song sounds like the Lemmiwinks song from South Park🤣 and now I'm binge watching! Great advice.

[@pamelaremme38]

Red heat lamps are much better than the white light. Red prevents pecking and less stress.

[@pamelaremme38]

Chicks have enough nutrition for 3 days from the yolk. Your chicks arrive on or about the 3rd day. In the brooder they need heat and food at all times. If you live in colder climates where it cools down several degree's in the evening you need to turn the light on.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yeppers

[@spiderfromcupheaddlc1105]

Baby chicks are cute

[@thomasyerbey337]

Great vlog Josh 🇺🇲 I really appreciate you sharing this information thank you 🇺🇲💯 WOOOOOO 🇺🇲!!!

[@johnnycampbell5234]

Thanks for another awesome video Josh, the wife and I are working on securing a property right now and the first thing we plan on doing is acquiring chickens. So videos like this really really help👍🏻

[@chrislovesky5402]

You had me at "No-Nonsense" lol

[@kaitlynbaines9512]

Thank you for your videos, My husband and I are going to chicken parents .

[@aloramichelle89]

Wanted to thank you for all your posts! I got my new baby chicks yesterday and am following your recommendations! I told my husband about washing hands after and not cuddling with these chicks because of the bacteria they have and every time he touches anything I the brooder box he immediately washes his hands lol anyways love the content and will continue to follow as we have more prospects on our property we like to do!

[@dnayf6323]

I made the chicken tractor Added door on top...LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! For meat birds and my hens use it to get out and stay safe from the hawks ❤ ☆☆☆☆☆

[@gussoefje6430]

ive never seen that orange "heat lamp" i think im going to order me some of those. good video

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Most certainly are handy items to have...nobody wants a fire in the garage!

[@bcgrittner]

I thought birds did not have an olfactory sense ( taste/smell ), but I agree that cedar can be overwhelming for people.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

They can taste and smell, and even being in cedar shavings can make their eyes burn. I've seen folks build honey bee hives out of eastern red cedar...not a good idea...cedar keeps bugs out....often the whole colony will leave

[@thevictorianedge5465]

I didnt think chickens could taste. But I've never actually heard one say otherwise. They eill eat anything I do know that.

[@laceyloveswellness8361]

My dad put chicks/baby ducks in cedar shavings, not knowing that it could harm them. It was awful! They were pretty much poisoned by it. Don't. Do. It.

[@derpydog1008]

I had a close call this past winter with a heat lamp that fell onto the bedding lucky I caught it in time the bedding was smoldering I flooded it with water and I ripped out all the heat lamps. Never using headlamps again. I shouldn't need them here in Virginia anyways.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

That's why we're using these little brooders now. Most of this stuff is a "lifetime purchase" meaning it will work year after year after year

[@TreasureFiend]

Another great video Josh, keep'um coming!

[@musiquefrique]

Just awesome / so grateful to have found you!!!

[@Louis1047]

I just got my next round of chicks today too!

[@youboijett]

Thanks for all the amazing tutorials

[@themintlord4744]

I'm going to start doing some farming this upcoming spring, and I will definitely be using your videos to help! Keep up the great work!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Good luck!

[@magoomagoo5616]

i love watching your videos so far, my mom and I are thinking about raising 5 chickens so far! so I'm reading up about it to teach her!

[@redfoxranch3244]

Hey Stoney Ridge Farmer! I just wanted to say thanks for you various videos on raising chicks. I watched them all and the information you provided definitely helped me out when I got my chicks. I got my Delaware's from McMurray Hatchery after hearing you talk about them. I made a video of when we received them and a mobile coop I built. The chicks are all doing great and are getting big. No eggs yet but I'm hoping in the next 2 weeks maybe I will have some! Thanks again, keep up the good work.

[@scottt8424]

Hey Josh thank you for the great information once again

[@theMekanik]

Yah, man I had mine In my closet in a clear 55 Gallon storage tote off the floor on a fold up table about 30 inches from the floor. Then I made perches with shower curtain rods & Wal Mart File Creates up the wall. So when they start to explore as they get bigger they grow up perching on stuff. 🤗 I put the lid from the tote below the edge of the table & tote so the poop falls on the lid. Clean the lid every day with a hose. Use pine pellets, with the first layer spread thin, & build it up as the poop. Like you said. If the poop starts to smell mist the wood pellets with water it will cause the pellets to run into saw dust & can absorb the poop easier. I did line the closet floor with roll out matting for easy clean 🧼 up if they happened to poop outside the 55 gallon tote. Chicks: Look dad I pooped!!! 🐣 I also step in my poop! 🐣 oh, look I pooped again! 🐣 step, step, step! 🐣 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jessegoucher8813]

Cool, Great Video Thanks Jesse

[@miraclefarm1927]

Love the portable coop! We built one, but the PVC is too small. The larger type you have should hold up for a long while. We to have learned that late summer/fall chicks are the best to raise. Great info! Blessings

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Yep gotta have some space or you'll have a bunch of "poopy chickens" lol

[@butler386]

Great bunch of tips for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

You bet!

[@lindaarnold3091]

Thank you for explanations. Our chicks, arrive May 4-5. We ordered 10 White Leghorns. Can’t wait !

[@tamararoberts9307]

Loved this video 👍 ty

[@jameswood1038]

Thanks for your you tube channell..i just wanted to say hi.II live in Stokes county in Sandy Ridge..just received word my baby chicks were shipped from Murray McMurray,,Should be here on Thursday or Friday.Your channell has convinced me to try raising them.Starting with 15.

[@thomasbarronjr3946]

I'm getting my chicks from Murray McMurray in the next couple days.

[@roberthermsen724]

Did you do any videos for the homesteaders of America conference this year. I miss getting to meet you again this year. I hope everything gets better so we can meet again next year.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I sent some to them...not sure if they'll use them

[@TheGreatBlumpkin]

Really nice video great advice and you seem real cool too

[@CamilleTylerbrand]

Thanks for sharing

[@wytchwoodhomesteadandkenne5036]

Well, now I know who it was that posted the video about the poopy butt LOL. I am just starting out on raw land so I purchased three little Plymouth Barred Rocks. Just enough to have a few laying hens. They're so adorable! But one of them had some poopy stuck to its feathery little butt and it was starting to become crusty and hard and block its vent. Having watched your earlier video, I sat down last night with a warm wet paper towel and gently massaged it until it came apart. I put the baby back in the brooder, the baby worked on getting it butt dry and now this morning it's cute and fluffy just like it should be. Thank you so much for your advice and I can't wait to see my babies grow up! They're only a few days old and they already have their wing feathers! Barred rocks grow really fast!

[@Proud_White_Conservative1980]

Another Great video Josh...

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MikkisoXTRA]

I haven't finished yet but this is such a great video! Well done! I've been watching videos for a while now and I still picked up a few new things here! Thank you!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

welcome to the channel!

[@kwantao69]

Josh, thanks for another informative presentation, I will probably never want to raise my own chicks but... if I ever do, now I have a good idea how (bought some chicken from the 'Piglet' in Oriental today, already processed, just sayin....:-)

[@brianforrest3377]

Great video bro

[@yaswanthyalamuri1727]

Idk why but your tutorials are awesome

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Glad you like them!

[@yaswanthyalamuri1727]

I just found your channel while searching for how to care my chickens and now I'm just binge watching every video in your channel. Great Content Man 👌

[@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

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

we use biochar and charcoal on the farm now to de-worm our cattle! It's great!

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Thank you 🎥👍👍👍

[@arunbishnoi7130]

very pleasant and meticulously explained . Thanks.

[@nayona3901]

thank you because i am getting a chinken and know i know what to do know thanks a lot

[@amandavincent9786]

Hello I love this video very informative we are trying our hands at meat birds thus July here in Nova Scotia Canada. Do you have a vid on the mobile coop ?

[@carolynstreet5325]

Thank you.

[@JSomerled]

Pretty good video.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol pretty good comment woooo!

[@CallsignMayhem]

Getting our first set of chicks sometime this week. Been using you to school myself up. Appreciate the content brother.

[@JSomerled]

I wish someone could invent an easier chicken tractor..I get tired of moving all that stuff everyday...Oh well... At least your setup is light weight and cheap to build

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

This is about as easy as it gets...I've seen other folks use my design and build in a stand for the feeder, install a bucket of water..but the whole purpose is to have a very lightweight and easily moveable cage. Just lift out the feeders and go to it!

[@pamelaremme38]

So true. It drives me nuts when I see some homesteading channels dipping in every single chick in the water. No need for that!

[@UsmanFaraz854]

Nice informative and detailed video. You use commercial or your own feed (manufactured on your own home mixer)???

[@NB-cs3me]

Thanks

[@user-mk3xe5gj9y]

Chickens ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Flyingdrones1970]

Fist timer here, thanks!

[@johnbergbauer8918]

Do you have any videos for raising and taking care of layers

[@theMekanik]

Sup Josh 🐣

[@bobbywalden1981]

I have raised many batches of chicks with just using a 100 watt white bulb for the 4 weeks of brooding, and never lost chicks. I’m a little scared of the 250 bulbs.

[@peaceplease2793]

Did you raise them in same tank set up ?

[@bobbywalden1981]

@@peaceplease2793 yes same brooder.

[@protectork9831]

I bought a hatcher from Amazon. It worked but I think I will just order live chicks from McMurray

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

you mean an incubator? Yep and it is more simple to just order from the hatchery ...that way ya know what you get for sure

[@dnayf6323]

So grateful to have your videos! Im getting 25 cornish cross next week...my question is how long do you feed them starter food...the whole time or do i switch to something else at some point? They wont be around too long as they will go to freezer. I saw somewhere online you need 4 different kinds of food...thinking that was a food sales pitch- any info ?

[@dickracey7468]

10 centimetres 🤣 greetings from Aus

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

Food on the Grow

[@madilynehenson4042]

Your videos are AMAZING!!! One question though.. When chicks are in the brooder, is it okay to have meat birds and layers in the same tub until they are ready to move to their coops? I've heard that they do not get along when they are in coops together.

[@kcashut]

Meat birds are to big and a big too aggressive. Don’t mix them.

[@nicholascronauer9875]

Could you use a plastic container a crate for old chickens and the Tanner could you use a heat lamp two

[@justinfranklin3040]

Been watching your channel for a while, this year will be our third year of cornish x birds.. though i have a question and trust your opinion. Do cornish X chicks need supplemental grit while in the brooder? I always feed them dumor 20% chick starter/grower and never had an issue without grit.. looking for input. Thank you!!

[@Banhbodaheo]

Thank you very much for this video , I get 10 chicks from local tractor supply 2 were weak and died after 5 days ,, 1 has poops stuck on its rear has died on weeks2 , so would you please give me some advice

[@gayederrick1946]

I can’t seem to find your video on building the mobile tractor. Would you share it?

[@jacobzapata1255]

Thanks I’m getting chick like I’m a few months I’m setting up every thing for them

[@victorm7274]

1700 not likely BUT zip tie can break . If it does , 🔥. The better option is to pass the clamp through the hanging loop.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

so far so good on the zip tie brotha

[@victorm7274]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer 👍🏼

[@stephenmcgraw3610]

Hello I have a quick question I have 4 laying hens and one rooster and I have 6 hens but there 8 weeks on Monday The full grown hens are on the 15.5% layer feed but I bought 16% feed for the 8 weeks chickies so do u think I should keep them out with the full grown chickens for awhile

[@martyl7066]

You looked so cute and the baby chicks too.....lol..;-) Thanks handsome man, for sharing this video.

[@jodhanbeshaan5535]

I visited third world countries with tropical weather and I was surprised to see NO one doing basic things like this in the country side…but they complain about poverty.

[@benjaminvanlandingham5568]

Question!!! What do you do about eggs in tractor? Could you/we add boxes to collect the eggs?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I use the chicken tractors for meat birds...however if you used them for layers you could easily install a roost and nesting boxes

[@fitzwater504]

What hatchery did you like better Murray Mcmurry or Meyer hatchery?? Just between theses two only please. I ordered from Meyer Hatchery myself.

[@lydiawhite322]

Hey, just wondering what's hanging in your garage? My husband thinks they're dried squashes, and I think it's pottery, can you help us out/tell me I'm right?!😅

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

birdhouse gourds that I made from the farm

[@jimwall1348]

I’ve just finished my coop and run and I’m ready to buy my first baby chicks. I’m having trouble finding good layers. Any advice?

[@darlenebell2345]

Rhode Island Red hens are great layers and overall great hens😁Good luck with your chickens and Happy Thanksgiving😊

[@joelspitzer4404]

Is it good to build for the baby chicken a wood box or they need a specific fabric box ?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

uh...I use one of these tubs and it works just fine..not sure what you mean by fabric box...don't overcomplicate this..make it easy on yourself

[@constantinobondoc255]

we are living in the Phils , im 70 yrs old mi going to try to raise chicks i have no idea thats im lestining your idea. this the first time to do this backyard farm . i just ask you one thing? you used metal basin. if i use plastic like laundry big basin it can be good also?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

a laundry basket is too short....just go out and find yourself a water tub like this my friend....you're gonna have to spend a few bucks to do it right but it will make your life so much easier

[@constantinobondoc255]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer thats good advice. but tell you frankly , i have no money to afford .my pension a month is only 5k pesos so im looking for a of idea than lessier cost . if ex . more expessive well i have no money remain for my daily consumpton. you know frankly speaking thid a joke. just telling you the truth honest to God the Almigthy...

[@constantinobondoc255]

realy im good in enlish im from carcar cebu phils

[@constantinobondoc255]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer lastly my friend hoping you can understand of what i saying to you

[@constantinobondoc255]

im not good in english sorry heheh

[@heathen8135]

What wattage of fluorescent bulb do you use. Also, is the bulb just a standard fluorescent bulb from the hardware store or is it the type from a pet store that is used for reptiles? Thanks

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

any old bulb will be fine ......we're not providing heat with the fluorescent...just light

[@b12n23]

zip ties can melt. Better use wire.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

The heat lamp isn't hot at the mounting point..no worries there..been doing this for a couple years now and had no problems

[@Little.Chicken.Farmer]

If I have meat birds and laying hens can I mix 24% and 20% together when I feed them ?

[@gardeninggonewild4842]

Good morning. I have a couple chicks with severe poopy butt. It seems as though it's gone inside their vent. Can you give me some guidance as to how to fix this? Mark V-dub

[@brucechapman6405]

Where are your dogs? Haven’t seen them on the videos for awhile. Are they ok?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Yep....I'll bet you're not following over on the Facebook or Instagram...just posted a short clip with the dogs following the tractor. No need for the dogs to be under my feet while filming in most cases...they'll knock over the cameras

[@marietate5496]

32:21 😮​@@StoneyRidgeFarmer