This Barn Is 80 Years Old. Is It Worth Fixing?

Chicks are on their way, and Sean needs to start prepping for their arrival. Questions arise around the old barn.
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Sean and Holly H.
P.O. Box 81
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871

[@barbarapahl3245]

Please rehab & save the barn! Old barns have so much more character and history! The sound is great.

[@douglasgatian1401]

Rehab that barn and include Henry in more videos. He's a hoot. The mic sounds real good.

[@heatherkennedy9973]

yes yes rehab that beautiful old barn -- too much old beauty to go to waste --you'll be glad you saved it in the long run!!! love little henry!!

[@carlapierle8623]

It makes me happy to see you able to focus more on your homestead than having to spend most of your time on a full time job. I love old barns. I used to get lost in the country just to take pictures of them. I hope you're able to restore that one to remain functional for you. The turkeys are beautiful! Henry is adorable!

[@lisapalmer3803]

Lenny is gorgeous! I think the barn is worth trying to rehab. If roof is leaking that will rot the structure over time. Start with roof and work down. I love your barn...

[@marshasmith6320]

Sweet Henry reminded me so much of my son when he was that age. He will be 34 tomorrow. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it. It goes by way too fast.

[@AngelBluff]

The blue tooth mic sounds AWESOME! Since the bones & foundation of the barn are in good shape i would 100% keep it. It really is a good looking barn and with a lil work you can have it serve your needed purpose.

[@ladyryan902]

That beautiful barn is part of history.please save it. Besides r u eventually getting a cow or goats, sheep? And a workshop? Winter cover for implements? A garden shed in one corner? several brooder and grow out pens. A farm office 😃 lol yes I've been watching alot of channels and dreaming but that handsome ole barn has seen alot.thx

[@ruthpackard3080]

I vote to keep the barn structure and make necessary repairs. You would be saving a part of our southern heritage!! Hope the chickens heed the spikes…or get the point!!!

[@melindamckenry6368]

Keep the barn. Old barns are a treasure - not cheap but worth the fix. Start from the top with a roof to keep everything dry, then just work an area at a time....like you did with the pig pen, and now the chick area. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect nor does it have to look like a million dollars. Utilize the wood that you found in the barn. Let your friends know that you are going to save your 80 year old barn....perhaps they know someone who has a pile of wood from a old barn they took down. When we took down an old building on our place, someone brought a trailer and took it all away to build a shed on their property. Just remember....one step at a time and you will get there...slowly slowly. Love your videos and the sound was perfect.

[@bonnieleighton8280]

I keep thinking I’m going to let you know I love your music that you add to your videos. Wonderful listening :-) thank you.

[@peppernc429]

Oh my goodness, rehab the barn!

[@TheKamakuraGardener]

The mic cover is called a wind sock or dead cat 🤣 It sounds good. 👍🏾🤩🐶

[@evalinawarne1337]

Hello my friend 🇯🇵🐶 HARU 🐶 Nice to see you on Sunday❤. How was the delicious double chocolate banana cake ❓

[@TheKamakuraGardener]

@@evalinawarne1337 Good evening Evalina! The cake is delicious 🤤! 👍🏾🤩🐶

[@dwighthires3163]

Hatching your own eggs will be such a blessing to the homestead. Nothing cuter than baby chicks.

[@stellaunger8568]

If the bones are solid in the old barn I, personally, would save it. 😁 Really looking forward to the baby chicks. You’re channel is fun and entertaining. Thank you 😁❤️🌹

[@karentanner4760]

Rehab the old barn. Quality of wood can’t be replaced.

[@chrissnyder5584]

Team rehab here! Old barns are the best. That's why it's still standing and usable. Things aren't made with that quality anymore.

[@franceswatts4001]

May I suggest you round off the edges of the perch and future ladder perches. The chickens find it more comfortable to roost on if there are no sharp edges - more like a tree branch. Those turkeys are absolutely gorgeous! A number of KZbinrs wear their mics on their hats - perfectly normal 😂😂

[@gelwood99]

Actually given a choice they prefer the flat side of a 2 x 4 over a tree branch type. I used joist hangers and slid the 2 x 4 so their feet are flat on the 4" side and can be fully covered with their bodies. The hangers allow the boards to be removed to clean under them because they don't poop on the boards since their butt change off the boards.

[@franceswatts4001]

@@gelwood99 yes, you are right. Especially in winter. My point was that perhaps they aren’t using the alternative perch because it is not comfortable for them. Incidentally, by tree branches, I meant large wide ones, not the small thin limbs most people seem to think would be suitable.

[@polgarauk5606]

Oh my Henry was so adorable and typical wee one 😂😂 That Tom turkey is gorgeous 😮 Aww am glad Katie gave you some starter eggs, very sensible to start with chickens I think. Redo the Barn I think you personally will get a better satisfaction from it than just whacking up a new one (that would be very expensive). I knew you wouldn't be unemployed for long and congratulations 🎉😊

[@Peachy08]

I would redo the barn. It is a really nice barn and would look so awesome with a bit of love!

[@STWHA_]

I agree with others. The mic sounds good. Use it indoors too for continuity. Also, rehab the barn. Some channels have done this as a series and it’s helped increase subscribers and bring in sponsorships that may be a good fit.

[@carlstevenson4232]

Linda here… maybe could get a professional barn rehabber to do the work with KZbin exposure as a partial/full payment option.

[@toniboaz8382]

I can hear you! Keep that barn! Henry is getting big! Adorable boy! Give kisses all around!

[@carolcalf2032]

Barn is definitely worth saving. Lots of work but you have never minded hard work have you. Little Henry is so cute

[@lorrainemartin5034]

Hi Sean, try moving the A frame and relocating it in the yard. They have gotten used to sleeping on top there. Put it outside near a light and that should discourage them.

[@user-eh1ru3gk1k]

My wife was 4 yrs old when my in-laws bought your homestead. Back then it was 40 acres. The eastern boundary went to the property lines of the homes on the west side of Burris Road. My father in-law dug up and created a dam to make the pond. At one point we were given the back right corner acre to put a house on, but none of the back field would perk. When they sold the property, my wife and I signed our acre back over to them so they could sell it all in tact. The barn was used to park the old tractor, and house the horses and ponies and meat cows they would raise over the years. It was also fenced in such a way that the barn connected the front and back fields. Your parents home was purchased for one of my wife’s great aunts, Aunt Jessie, in the early 90’s. I helped my father in-law dig and frame the footers for the piers before the house was delivered. He then built the closed in foundation under it. So much we can tell you about your place, many years and memories there. It was my wife’s and kids home place.

[@TheModernYeoman]

Thank you so much for writing. I have many questions for you -- I believe we may have interacted before? Jennifer B. has sent me some pictures from those days. If you have free time, feel free to write me at [e-mail]. We would love for you to come out for a visit sometime.

[@deborahhaynes8361]

That barn is wonderful. Rehabbing it slowly, slowly, would be the best bet. Customize it along the way.

[@cynthiasmyers9531]

I was born in Newport TN, my Granny raised chickens to sell so we raised a lot. In March and April, we got 100-count boxes from Murray(3 boxes total!!). These were cockerels for butchering. When she needed new hens she would pick eggs from her best layers and set a hen. She only picked eggs that would produce hens with an occasional new rooster if needed. She picked eggs that were as near to round as possible for hens, the pointy-ended ones she said were roosters. I can pick 11 out of 12 correctly using her method. Hey, it is worth a try!!

[@rcjo2]

Busy on the homestead. Nice to have the time now! Hope the spikes work for your persistent chickens. When you build the roost ladder, make it so that the chickens are sitting on the wide side of the 2x4s.(The 4" side) A couple reasons for that. One, it's more comfortable for them. Two, it allows them to entirely cover their feet with their feathers when the weather is cold. Helps prevent frostbitten toes. Love all the projects! Thanks for your updates.

[@evalinawarne1337]

Yes, hear the peepers. I will continue to watch. Barn, I HOPE you KEEP it up. Henry he's having fun with dad. Cute little guy. SE MICHIGAN

[@sannawald824]

Henry is such a happy and sweet boy!

[@sherrylovesapple]

The barn is fantastic! Fix it, then, when your subscriber numbers grow and you can afford it. Build a new structure. Love you guys!

[@user-nu7tt3hj8f]

Rebuild the Barn using rough cut lumber from a local sawmill

[@philbo7770]

I think the old barn is worth saving! Make sure you have a good roof then repair/replace a section at a time when you have the money. A new barn is VERY expensive. I enjoy seeing your dad in the videos. He’s funny and very natural in front of a camera.

[@GGMASherry]

Rehab the barn! History can’t be replaced, once it’s gone you can’t get it back.

[@AZJH8374]

I absolutely love your music 🎶 🎵 and your channel ❤️ ♥️ 💕 😍 💙

[@TheModernYeoman]

Thank you!

[@relacionsustentable2319]

Bourbon red are so beautiful and a good heritage breed, keep going slowly slowly

[@pnhnut]

Slowly restoring the barn would be the most cost effective plan honestly. If it were me, I would coat the existing barn board siding to preserve what integrity in the wood that you have left. You can use metal siding on the bottom 4 feet of the barn to preserve the bottom of the barn boards that have eroded. If the roof is leaking, there are many sealants on the market for tin roof repair, as well as roof coating the entire surface of the roof. It is a cheap roof fix until you are ready to replace with steel. What we did in our old drafty barn was just house wrap. We put it up with staples. It kept the draft down, but yet is still well ventilated.

[@donnamaeanderson3448]

Will be looking forward to your eggs hatching. A great mixture of chickens will be added to your homestead! 😊

[@devinatusi5035]

Congratulations on your new part-time employment and always remember God, the utmost high, has got your back. I hope that you salvage the ol' barn, it has character, I love it! Have you looked into sheep rearing yet? I'm not saying do this right away but researched it?

[@suemcculley7073]

Thanks Sean ❤ your journey is always informative and interesting. The intro to 2 turles homestead was a nice addition

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

I love old barns.

[@carolkimbell5174]

I love seeing Henry in the videos! He is super cute!

[@TheDawn0310]

Another great video and Henry is hysterical. It really is neat following your journey as you make the homestead your own.

[@kimproffitt3419]

Put a higher roost for them. They keep getting up there because it is high. The higher the better as far as the chickens are concerned. I'm sure that would keep them off of the A-frame. Please save that beautiful barn!

[@LouY778]

Love the old barn.

[@lailayen765]

Good luck with all your projects! It's so funny to watch Henry climb all over you while you talk to us. 😄HavIe a good week, and I hope the spikes finally get the chickens off your roof. Persistant little creatures... I'm glad the West Norwegian seagulls are a little bit easier to keep of a roof ;-)

[@TheModernYeoman]

Thanks, Laila! I do believe the chickens are quite persistent (and maybe a little stupid 😂), but I still love the idea! I may use it for other applications.

[@pennywillis8895]

🇦🇺I’m glad to see the spikes going onto the ridge of the coop. You could put it on with liquid nails. Watch the cord to the egg incubator in case little hands tug on it. You don’t want it falling to the floor.

[@TheModernYeoman]

Good call! We actually shut the door so he doesn't get in to that room at all! 😂

[@pennywillis8895]

@@TheModernYeoman My son at age one could open our front and back doors to let himself out of the house. We had to set the dead bolts every night.

[@deborahross8586]

That is one absolutely beautiful tom! I love his coloring.

[@tammysarrazin-ux9tv]

fix the barn up it will give you content and you will have it for many years to come hugsssss

[@paulkiepert7317]

The old barn has so much character, would hate to see it go. Take the same approach you do with your channel (slowly-slowly), get the corner where your brooder is going to sit done first and work around the base of the barn (obviously making sure everything is on a solid base). I know you did some roof work a while back, if that is tight, it will be okay, otherwise attack leaks first (but you already know that). BTW, saw a better, much larger greenhouse today - that may be on the list for next year's consideration. Excited to see about those pigs and the new chickens as well. So happy to see your work and living my farm life again vicariously through you.

[@WithrowUrbanHomestead]

Our city has great success using those spikes to deter birds. Zip ties are my go to on my homestead. I saw a huge decline in quality around 2021. I used them daily to secure my outdoor quail aviary. I would love to see a zip tie company sponsor you and how their product holds up to use on your homestead.

[@olliesear1151]

The scratch resistance conundrum sounds very much like an addition by the legal team in the proof reading stage... 😁

[@faithevrlasting]

Ok Sean...have u paid attention to the Kraemer barns lately? Just work w what u have. Fix what u need to. Check out Sow the Land if you want to see some others in worse shape. FOCUS..focus on food and income and forget the rest. Get rid of the pointed coop. Use the base and alter to a Suscovich type top. Good luck.❤️🙏

[@pennywillis8895]

🇦🇺For the brooder, use hardware cloth or a rigid mesh to instal from the metal sheeting to the ceiling to keep out rats and other climbing predators. With the barn, take one wall down at a time and fix it. Think about what you would change and put it out there (social media or Fb marketplace) to what you need . More barn wood, metal etc. You never know what people are thinking about getting rid of but don’t want to dump it.

[@shirleywillems5647]

Redo the barn! Cheaper than a new 1. Adds character. You could use lattes vertically to cover all the holes to cut the wind. Also I would use a 1"X 12" board alone the whole bottom edge to cover the the rotten or broken wood. It wood clean it up and make the barn less windy inside. The mic looks fine. Just like all the youtubers....The Hollers have pigets..

[@Julie-bq6iz]

Your new mike is working perfectly! There was no wind noise, and the peepers came through clearly. Good luck with the bird breeding programs! Congrats on the part-time job, too!

[@Flowers4Bees.Veggies4Me]

Love watching your video. Henry is so cute. 🥰

Rehab? No, build it back your way. Remember to leave room for feed & vet supplies too. Put up a dartboard inside. 🙂

[@marcamp5450]

Loving that boy!! lol. What a card!!

[@Susan.I]

Renovate the barn if at all possible!!! Barns have so much history!!

[@sadbhyl]

As someone whose homestead doesn't have a barn, rehab it. Old barns are usually better thought out than pole barns and most often sturdier. It's definitely worth putting the money into unless you can afford a post and beam barn (which is my lottery fantasy)

[@carmenfringer4740]

In my experiance chickens will always try to roost on the tallest spot they can get to. Good luck with your incubation and please fix the barn ..slowly.

[@catherinethorington3452]

Henry is adorable😆

[@christencurtis9047]

I'm pretty sure I saw your brooder plate hanging on the wall over your head in the brooder room/stall 😆! Good luck with your first incubation! Also, when you decide to do turkey eggs, make sure the larger turkey eggs will turn in that unit. I learned the hard way that ours didn't turn the turkey eggs 😢, we had to get a different turning rack.

[@TheModernYeoman]

Yeah, I saw that afterwards and got a good laugh!

[@radmilamiljanic5977]

The mic is working perfectly, I heard people call that fuzzy thing a dead cat:)) Don't cut your hair too short, Henry enjoys it too much😂

[@debmazalan3386]

As far as the barn goes, what would it cost to repair any foundation and roof issues? Seems like that would be the place to start. Then slowly, slowly as money and time allow, take care of any other issues. I am sure in the long run, rehabbing would be less than a brand new build, especially if you can repurpose supplies for that. Love the interaction with Henry!

[@deltorres2100]

Watch one of your neighbors growing up Holt Ben Holt. He made that little farm shed with the lien on it he did really good it was not real big, but it was still good. You might’ve seen that one.

[@ErlaTheGreat]

Definitely rehab in my opinion. The mic is great. Keep up the great work.

[@hapnewsom9217]

another way to secure the spikey strips is with something akin to silicone caulk, not too expensive and it will certainly hold the spikeys in place!!

[@rockingredpoppy9119]

Keep and rehab the barn; and raise your chicken rooting bar up as high as the A Frame turkey pen.

[@lauriecampbell1586]

Congratulations on the job.

[@annie.a.]

congrats on the job, it sounds like its going to be perfect for you to still be able to work on the homestead I bet you can't guess what my favourite part of this video is lol!

[@kkeenan536]

If the barn is structurally sound, I would “paint” the roof with Lanco White Seal (or some other type roof sealant), saw the rotten bottoms off the boards & fill in that space with block, & cover the vertical spaces between the boards with another board (like board and batten). Not an exactly cheap fix, but not horrible either compared to a tear down and/or building new

[@TheModernYeoman]

Great advice here, thank you!

[@HT-tt5le]

Hey shawn, after 18 days don't forget to either take the egg turner out of shut it off if possible. Then candle if you want and then lock down for last three days just make sure to top off water at lock down. Good luck your doing great.

[@vickiegriffin4343]

You could use some battens to close the gaps in the boards of the barn

[@neetos5772]

You could attach the the plate of the spikes to a piece of wood and screw it to the wood on either end to secure it on top, that way you don't have to screw it into the metal ridge cap.

[@Sunnyhill-xp9gi]

Congrats on the part-time job! No matter about the microphone on the cap, I'd rather hear what you are saying, doesn't look bad, anyway. I hope you achieve your goal of a cleaner chicken coop! 🐔 Oh, well if you can get some salvaged but good wood thru networking with other farmers to save costs it likely will be worth the effort with improving the barn.

[@tireddad6541]

Fix up the barn, slowly. For one you can do it, two, less permits and etc. I would like a few visits to area barns. Things to learn, kinda cool.

[@conservfriends9651]

!) The new mic is excellent! 2) Wouldn't one simple chicken roost, that holds all the birds, be inexpensive and save all/most of the equipment? Maybe remove everything for a while, after building the roost, and their habit will naturally turn to the new roost. 3) Barns are expensive to build! Most farmers do occasional repairs/upgrades and they last 200+ years!

[@barbaraslayden2277]

Beautiful turkey

[@islandgardener158]

If you cool find some old barn wood, perhaps someone is tearing one down nearby and fix the bottom all the way around first. Then maybe a board and batten style siding or something like that.

[@timbertrand632]

Suggestion, take the wire down on your chicken coop I think you'll be surprised that some chickens will find a way to use a portion of that space.

[@nicksinyc]

It's hard to scratch but not scratch proof

[@sandracunningham2689]

Really good video. Henry, your stealing the show. Great sense of humor . Since you are going to use that room as a brooder going forward. Making the fixes more permanent so you do not have to repeat your efforts might work out for you.I hope you work on the barn for it has a lot of character and is unique looking.

[@pamray1906]

Another great and informative video ❤❤❤❤

[@mariancreswick2002]

Great content love the projects look forward to watching your homestead grow

[@TheModernYeoman]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@albertod4161]

For the A frame issue I would recommend try spinning roost I think they'll get off balance ive seen that method on poultry feeders hopefully it works if you decide to try it.

[@ruthmcbride1778]

I’ve noticed those beards seem to grow about an inch a year. They are beautiful. Be careful if you have wild turkeys around they like to lure the domestic turkeys into the wild flock

[@deborahlehman8617]

Great job!!

[@margaretbedwell3211]

Don't give up on the barn, Sean. Rehab as needed, as you said if you had all the money you still would keep the barn and still get some use from it. Your new mike works great even with the muff on it. And now to the hatching machine....if Henry can get into that room, prevent it....he will either pull it off with the cord hanging down, or he'll do as my son did and open each drawer a little to make a ladder and climb up to the cupboard.....I can guarantee the latter. I do hope you have a way to save this clip, so Henry can see himself dry shampooing your hair, scrub a dub dub. He will really enjoy that at about 8 yrs. old. LOL. Tell your dad that scratch resistance makes about as much sense as the warn in the iron manual. This iron gets hot when plugged in. What hoops manufacturers go through to cover their butt. Maybe you better put a warning up for your chickens "these wires will poke you in the butt if you roost here. Y'all have a Blessed day. BTW Laverne & Lenny seem to be doing just fine on the Yeostead.

[@TheModernYeoman]

That is such a good call about the incubator! We actually keep it in a closed room so he isn't tempted to yank it!

[@margaretbedwell3211]

@@TheModernYeoman Great. Henry is definitely at the age where he will be exploring everything including the trash in the kitchen as well as the bathroom and bedroom wastebaskets. My son is 58 and I still remember those times.

[@loissaedder2214]

Looks like you have a mouse on your cap. But the mic sounds pretty good. I think maybe you need to make your roosting ladder up higher. Birds, including chickens, like to be high.

[@lilawilley2661]

Sounds good

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

I was going to say, You said you had all this sheet medal. I would buzz around the bottom with a circular saw and then put the medal around the bottom of the barn

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

Paint the medal white or grey or what ever colour you like lol

[@mio.giardino]

You could film your chickens scratching around their yard for an hour… I’d watch it. 😉

[@rebeccathornton8736]

Love the video!

[@andrewhammill6148]

The name of the mic shall be the "Tribble Vocal Recorder". On a more serious note, if you don't seal that brooder up really tight, you will always have a possibility of snakes.

[@ronaldenix8589]

That's good

[@marthabartel604]

This barn needs repairs but little by little. Replace the rotten, bottoms woods 4x4 and 4x6, one section at. A time. Use it daily. And do some thing each day there.

[@rebeccazody1278]

Great audio

[@footplate0]

The barn is worth saving as it has good bones (for the most part) and just needs a new skin (all over). If you look at just how much wood costs, then add up the bones of the barn you will see just how much you will save. I dont know if you can afford it but have a look for a second hand wood mill as I think you have a few trees that would make good siding for the barn. That way you would not have to pay the expensive wood prices to re side your barn. As always thanks for posting

[@TheModernYeoman]

Thank you, my friend. I agree, a new exterior may be exactly what I need here.

[@cherylbertolini3140]

you choose the best thing to put on top of the tractor