Winter Warriors! Keeping Chickens Thriving in Alaska's Frigid Conditions.

[@teresameek668]

Your kitchen is amazing, so functional and stocked.

[@kikomartin-pr]

That was very informative. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@MyAlaska12]

lots of good info, thanks for sharing

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

You are welcome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@diannajohnson1731]

I love watching your videos. You and Aaron take very good care of your family and animals. Stay warm this winter.

[@annaking9213]

Glad to see the kids at your house helping with the chickens. Great broth. It looked so good. Alway a good learning experience.

[@ladgers]

I really like your videos. I learn so much. Thank you 😊

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I am so glad you’re enjoying them!

[@carmancloud]

Hi Jessica! Homemade chicken stock makes EVERYTHING taste better! And yours looked especially delicious! 😋

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you, we are definitely getting ready for the cold winter, soup season for sure!

[@kimberlycrawford1298]

Wow , you all are so busy; I love canning too , enjoying all of your videos, be safe ,stay warm ❤️

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you, we are definitely getting ready for the cold winter!

[@carriefischer9552]

OH IM SURE JESSICA AND HER FAMILY WILL STAY WARM THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS WONDER WHAT THERE GONNA DO FOR THANKSGIVING

[@lorikrafft8197]

Your videos are so homie and happy and wholesome and you make my day by watching them. Thanks for bringing pleasure from your house to mine.

[@WillowsGarden]

Hi Jessica and sweet family! You, Aaron and the family have gotten all the farm animals ready for winter now. Can’t wait to see the updated chicken coop. I love home canned chicken broth, makes the best chicken soup, chicken and dumplings or just anything that you make homemade. I’ve been using my turkey broth and I’m needing to can some chili beans and mushrooms. Have a very blessed night everyone!

[@pamelaclayton-vg9me]

Love the way you explain while you can and show the real life of having farm animals

[@shirlydejarnette]

Thank you for sharing all your tips with us, so enjoy your canning and preserving.

[@CorynHedges]

Love how your rooster knows when you are talking and yells over you. Chickens are hilarious 🤣 thank you for sharing ❤ Coryn

[@sharlenebal260]

Love the Blue Enamel Stock Pot, Wow! Wonderful to get the broth made in such a beautiful pot & on the wood cook stove a win win! Wood heat, Broth aroma wafting through the house, Yummy!

[@carolwhisenhunt7504]

I love watching you can and preserve. Ty Jessica.

[@KimEntenmann]

I watch every episode and love your channel so much. Thank you for sharing your life and learnings.

[@lauragroux4444]

A visit with the "girls" is always appreciated! They are the luckiest flock I know. Please show me how the new laying boxes work for them and you. The broth looks so rich and appetizing. Until we visit again... keep warm and healthy!! ❤ Momma G

[@yvettegerry9862]

Beautiful broth ! Great video. Thank you for sharing! 🐓🫙🐓

[@sarahschlosser1203]

Great video! I love using the rubber pans in the winter, so much easier then other types of waterer. Broth looks great, what a treat come winter.

[@heranoshkeshishandrias5931]

Hi Jessica thank you for sharing ❤

[@debbiemiller7342]

Loved the video Jessica. Thank you for sharing!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you for watching!

[@ShannonLivesey]

Great work, Milnes Fam! That coop looks great! The nesting box is cool 😎 I hope it works out for you. Jess, that broth, though!! Looks amazing 👏 I love how simple ingredients can make such nourishment for our family. Take good care, my friend 😊 see you next time.

[@anniehinshaw9433]

Hello Jessica, I love how much you have researched the chickens. Or your learned information. It's awesome that you cook and heat on the same stove. The gifts are our way of saying thank you .Many blessings to you and the family.

[@jenniferglaze-o4d]

Always enjoy your videos!

[@jeanjohnson2402]

I love making my own stock/broth, for my beef stock I always roast my soup bones and other bones first so I get a dark rich broth. I still make my own broths even though I’m alone now but I obviously make smaller batches and I freeze mine because I use them up pretty quickly. I love the smell of the broth simmering away and will always make a pot of soup with any left overs, sooooo good. Have a great day ♥️🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@SandraChampenois]

A very good action, good Job ! Chickens are lucky, it's Christmas !!!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas is here!

[@WishingIwasFishingPJ]

Awesome Healthy broth!!

[@charlenegrady8781]

Hello Jessica. We made chicken stock today too. Nothing like having your own homemade. Yum. I learned a lot about coops today. Thank you for sharing. You will be needed that stock for soup with the colder weather. Enjoy. See you again soon✌️🇺🇸❤️

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you! Yes 100% the flavor, color, and quality are so much better! It’s soup season here for sure

[@riddle8062]

Great video, Jessica! I have found a source for getting chicken and beef for making bone broth. I am so excited to make my own also! AND, I just purchased an electric Presto canner too! God bless you all!

[@gloriadavidson8599]

Great video really enjoyed it ❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Love from the UK x

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you for watching

[@juliehiebner2376]

Blessings from Yorkton, Saskatchewan!.. Happy Thanksgiving !

[@carolynlineberger1929]

Thank you!❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Any time!

[@annahoover5296]

Awesome.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@karenchaney9160]

Hi Jessica I love watching you with your chickens. I had to let my chickens go to a new home and they were my happy place..always loved a clean coop and loved watching them scatter the new straw. But wanted to say you look really good in blue and wish I looked that good in a hair band. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

[@hardenmama1800]

Great video! That broth/stock was gorgeous!

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

It really is the best way to make stock, so much flavor!

[@wizelbee]

Hemp is VERY expensive. We checked on it & checked several different places including Amazon & for a 33# bag it was $70. 😲& that is in the lower 48. We use chopped straw & sometimes we add pine shavings to get the 3" depth we start with & it all gets mixed up when we turn the deep bedding to keep it from compacting & to keep the air going through so the decomposition will continue & create heat to help keep the coop warm. Have you ever seen the Brinsea ecoglo coop heaters? They are great & they don't cause fires. When we lived in Northern Montana, we decided against lighting our coop. We figured if God made them to stop laying to give their bodies a rest who are we to change that. 😉 Also, to keep your hens busy & happy during the winter tossing some grubs or black soldier fly larvae on the floor will keep them happy & they will help turn the bedding. Another thing to keep them happy is a Purina flock block. They're great. In Montana our coop had a 26' long enclosed run with a roof on it so the chickens could get outside & we put the flock block out there as well as tossing them the grubs or larvae. That was where we kept their dust bath as well. Agree 100% about the Orpingtons. They aren't the best layers as far as numbers go but they are good in the cold. Interested to see how the laying boxes do. We had to get the XLG to accommodate our Orpingtons. You are doing a great job on your channel.

[@68carolinas]

Hi, love the videos, your coop reminds me of when we kept chickens. The floor was a challenge for us too, we lived in NW Minnesota. One of the ideas we had was to use vinyl to protect the floor. We were going to use remnants. Hope you guys stay well 😊

[@alaskancookingmom]

Alaska Mill and Feed has Hemp bedding. Expensive. We use it sparsely i.e. poo poo shelf in the coop!😂

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

That’s amazing I’ll grab a bag next time I’m there I found some on Amazon I have not ordered it yet! It’s double the price for 1/2 the product over shavings

[@debbiecooper4447]

Very educational. Thank you

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

@@debbiecooper4447 thank you

[@lynsmith2698]

Hey Jessica. Great video. I love your chicken videos, I am thinking maybe getting a few hens again when we move to the new property. I use to always have chickens but it’s been some years since I did, anyways your stock looks great. It’s one of my favorite things to make. Great job, 🌷🇨🇦

[@ChumStun]

That thumbnail is really cute! Random thought, I always hear rocks retain heat really well, ever considered putting a few rocks by the bottom of that coop window, to see if it absorbs any heat from the direct sunlight and gives the chicks a little heat past sundown? Painting or draping the wall the nest box is on with something dark, like a big moving blanket, would also absorb heat. There’s a reason the Russians hang rugs on their walls. As usual just some ideas that come to mind, and I’m sure the chickens are plenty warm but I can’t help myself, lol.

[@elzbietajaninaloniewska4996]

❤Blessings to you All from Mississauga Ontario Canada. 🇨🇦.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Blessings to you my friend! I hope the sun shines for you today!

[@hestiasgardenhomestead7562]

I ran out of propane today ten minutes before my green beans were done processing. I guess we will be eating this batch right away.

[@cathykillion6544]

Always enjoy your videos ❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much!

[@PENPAL555]

FR: THE BRONX NY HI, I watch quite a few homesteader video's. I must say yours & 1 other Alaskan Homesteader have the BEST, MOST THOUGHT OUT CHICKEN COUP !!! As much as I love all things chicken as far as eating is concerned. Since I was a little kid, live chickens creep me out. When we used to visit family upstate. I would stay inside the house allday, because their chickens free ranged during the day. I have no idea why they bother me sooo much 🙃 . Several years ago I read a nerdy unbelievable fact. That chickens are a DECENDANT of the most ferocious dinasour that ever walked the earth the TYRANNOSAURUS REX. Ofcourse that made them creep me out even worse... But, not enough for me to stop enjoying a nice roasted chicken 😏🤭. Im considering purchasing an electric canner. Can I ask what type you have & what are the pros & cons ? Sending your Grandmother continued Strengthening & Healing Prayers 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Thanks For Sharing 🙏💞🙏💞🙏💞

[@Andrea.L.Stokes]

Love watching you guys! Can you tell me where your winter overalls are from please!! They look like they would be great for the frigid cold Michigan winters!

[@samstevens7888]

Mmm Bone broth. Tip for ya that fat on top of the broth is called schmaltz. Fry potatoes in it oh my life they are amazing. Just keep the schmalz in the fridge.

[@anitawells3705]

Good video ❤

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Thank you so much!

[@farmgirlzz2319]

I bought that nest box 2 years ago and I have been really happy with it. My chickens were eating their eggs. Naughty 🐓 😂

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I’m so glad to hear that! I have wanted it since summer but it’s an investment for sure

[@josephconner4756]

We here in Western North Carolina has it first snow of fall season

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

That’s so fun! I love the snow!

[@thestickitartstudio7374]

Question, have you ever thought of lime washing the whole coop? Just curious bc people use to do that to keep pests away and slow deterioration of their coop.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Never heard of this I’ll be doing some late night research on it now

[@LucyValean]

Jessica very well organized ❤, do you need a few heating lights all winter?

[@NancyMatthews-h5g]

Hello from Blanco. I have a question. I know you are not the end all chicken expert however we get eggs from our neighbor twice a week. Last week I noticed a chicken with feathers missing from her chest but no rooster is in the pen. We are in south Texas so no absurdly cold weather yet but should I be worried? I know this sounds dumb but I love animals.

[@lorikrafft8197]

My chicken coop is not the traditional coop either. I am using a garage that 2/3 of it is the chicken coop and 1/3 is my tool storage area which is a challenge because the dust is everywhere but my chickens definitely have lots of room.

[@melindawargowsky8176]

Diatomaceous earth in your dust bath would possibly be a good addition. Very good for controlling mites and not harmful to animals 😊

[@yvettegerry9862]

Hello friend !

[@haroldholland1316]

I see a number of chicken coops / houses in Alaska and see the expense and time involved. It begs the question, are a dozen eggs really that expensive in Alaska vs having your own chickens? Love your channel 👍

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

That is a great question, and it depends on the person's priorities, for us it was about having fresh eggs and we enjoy taking care of the chickens. As far as cost I’m not sure if it’s worth it for everyone

[@josephconner4756]

How do you keep your chicken's from freezing in Alaska if they get outside of the coop.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

They just go back in, we have one crazy one that I found out yesterday I just picked her up and put her back, they are pretty smart they don’t go far unless something forces them to like an eagle or something.

[@lyndagrigg17]

Jessica, how are the new nesting boxes going.

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

So far so good!

[@lyndagrigg17]

@@modernhomesteadalaska my son inherited 3 chooks last year, we live in the suburbs of Auckland and they had been free ranged so we kept on doing it. Unfortunately they kept escaping our property, even ended up in the neighbours kitchen. They would come back home, stand on the other side of the gate clucking to be let in like naughty little children. Quite funny really. In the end we decided to send them to a chook farm. Caroline was the ring leader.

[@annaking9213]

What is the name of your electric hot pot canner ?

[@kelliepineda9822]

I see bon fire coming lol

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Great idea

[@kelliepineda9822]

the old nesting boxes great for fire n ash good for garden

[@annahoover5296]

Hi Jessica

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

Hello Anna

[@kelliepineda9822]

frp is what it's called

[@juliehiebner2376]

I just looked up the difference between broth and stock... I have always thought that they were the same thing... Nope, not the same thing... Broth is from meat and or vegetables / Stock is from bones... So, Why is bone broth called a broth when really it should be a bone stock... No wonder many of us are confused... 😵‍💫 lol... 😅😂🤣

[@tammysmith7345]

Dang roosters just like a man always bothering females 😂😂😂

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

lol!!!😂😂😂😂

[@kelliepineda9822]

Schmoltz chicken fat