I'm glad you explained the rooster purchase plans. When you first said you were going to buy a bunch of roosters, I was thinking, "huugh?" Now it makes perfect sense. Can you tell that I have never raised chickens? (Or any other animals for food, as far as that goes; only pets.) The plans for the brooder house and the surrounding area, sounds good to me. But as alluded to earlier, what do I know? LOL I am really enjoying this channel despite my lack of experience and, maybe, because of it.
I highly suggest getting your stock from a local breeder who is involved in 4H or a Poultry club. There are chicken expos quarterly where you can meet breeders and see examples of their stock. Chicks raised together will have better relationships. Your older ladies may not accept an upstart rooster new to the yard. So, raising hens with the new roosters would be beneficial for the combined flock. The older ladies might take ques from their younger sisters that this guy merits respect. Raising 10 roosters confined together could result in nearly constant fighting after about 90 days. Cockerels raised without pullets will have one thing on their mind when integrated with your older hens and chase them incessantly. And I agree that temperament is more individual (and genetic) than breed specific.
On the topic of incubating and raising your own chicks, It is easy with a good incubator and proper care of the eggs prior to putting the bun in the oven. You need to tell your eggs apart first. If all 3 of your varieties lay brown eggs, then how do you know that you are incubating eggs from the breed you want to continue to work with? There are work arounds. Your hens can "store" semen for up to 3 weeks. You could separate your pick of the litter hens after they have been kept with a rooster for a few weeks. Then collect the eggs from them for 7-10 days, no more. Keep those unwashed at room temperature and turn them 3-4 times a day to prevent the yoke from sticking to the shell, or use an egg turner without the heat from the incubator.
If you want to hatch eggs, the simplest way to do it is to get yourself a couple of cochin hens. They are setting machines. If you are set on raising roosters for meat, be sure and kill them young, the meat gets tough quick. I also recommend getting a half dozen guinea chickens, they're great to have around. If you want some first hand pig knowledge, holler at me, my wife and I raised them for several years.
Maybe a couple Guinea fowl hens for some of the predator issue's they are very noisy when something comes around. Bodyguards sort of for the hens. the roosters maybe be hot lunch for predators along with the hens.
It will be fun to follow along with the new chickens and pigs. Maybe someday I'll be able to have enough land for more critters. Thanks for the videos.
Thanks for asking! Here you go: amzn.to/32EHTdg It made a huge difference, but just today I gathered a couple eggs that were absolutely covered in crap. I guess clean eggs is always going to be a struggle.
@@jrboutdoors7771 They generally try to roost as high as possible. If the top of the nest box is the highest perch available in the coup, then that is your answer. Try covering the top of the egg crate and see if that limits droppings onto the nest, after adding roosting spots like a 2x2, 1-1/2 or 2" pvc that has been rough sanded, or fallen tree limbs of similar size.
By the time they were old enough to spend a lot of time in the yard, the summer was pretty much over and the bugs were minimal. I will be very interested to see if it helps this year.
Have you considered meat chickens, such as the Cornish Cross? They'sre ready for processing at about 7 to 8 weeks and you get a 5+ lb chicken (processed weight).
My original plan was to do Cornish Cross in a chicken tractor this year. I think my odds of finding a good Barred Rock rooster will increase dramatically if I start with a bunch and send the most annoying ones to the freezer. I just don't need enough meat chickens to justify doing both, plus I need to save my pennies for the pigs. Once I have a rooster, I think it will be a lot of fun to hatch out some chicks from these girls, plus it will feel good to have a sustainable setup since the whole world seems to be coming apart at the seams.
Just ordered my spring 2022 chicks. Leghorn, Cream Legbar, Andalusian, and the “meyer meal maker” mystery breed. Hoping I like these breeds, none of which I’ve ever had. I’ve had all kinds of chickens, and I think the personality by breed thing is hit or miss. My barred rocks have always been assholes that like to bite. I’ve had some skittish Rhode Island reds and some really sweet ones, that would come when called and liked cuddles. I’d only keep one rooster for 10 hens. 2 would probably over breed them really quickly. And over breeding will cause a drop in egg production due to stress. I’d make sure you kept most of the 12 separated from the ladies for most of their grow out time, (unless of course you’re planning on butchering before “puberty” at about 18 weeks) so they don’t just get clobbered by 12 sex machines. I think the other shed is the way to go.
We usually only get one or two significant snowfalls per year. And it usually warms up enough to melt it off before too long. We don't usually accumulate a long-lasting snow pack.
I found that the personality does not necessarily come with the breed of chicken. One of my buff orpingtons comes up to me and wants attention and her neck scratched. The other I can not got close enough to touch. One of my olive eggers will follow me everywhere and even when I am working in my shop, she will hop up on the bench even when I am doing some noisy work and she like being carried around. She has even come on my dog walks with me on occasion. The other olive egger is the shyest chicken that I have. My Rhode island reds will follow me to the coop when they know there are treats involved but plain ignorantre me for the most part. I think that the individual characters they develop has not much to do with the breed when one keeps the breeds mixed like you and I do.
I still can't tell them apart! The lavenders are the only ones I can keep straight! I guess my favorites are both of the barred rocks? I should probably pay more attention to which one's which.
If you are going to have chickens for eggs then learn how to use a little water at times to clean the eggs. If you are going to have chickens for meat learn how to pluck and butcher them also. I am tired of hearing about shit on the eggs and lazy people taking chickens to be processed. Learn a little bit and do for yourselves.
Looking forward to the JRB homesteading channel!
I really like the livestock route as well as the reloading. Please keep up the good work.
I'm glad you explained the rooster purchase plans. When you first said you were going to buy a bunch of roosters, I was thinking, "huugh?" Now it makes perfect sense. Can you tell that I have never raised chickens? (Or any other animals for food, as far as that goes; only pets.) The plans for the brooder house and the surrounding area, sounds good to me. But as alluded to earlier, what do I know? LOL I am really enjoying this channel despite my lack of experience and, maybe, because of it.
Chicken ASMR, nice.
I highly suggest getting your stock from a local breeder who is involved in 4H or a Poultry club. There are chicken expos quarterly where you can meet breeders and see examples of their stock. Chicks raised together will have better relationships. Your older ladies may not accept an upstart rooster new to the yard. So, raising hens with the new roosters would be beneficial for the combined flock. The older ladies might take ques from their younger sisters that this guy merits respect. Raising 10 roosters confined together could result in nearly constant fighting after about 90 days. Cockerels raised without pullets will have one thing on their mind when integrated with your older hens and chase them incessantly. And I agree that temperament is more individual (and genetic) than breed specific.
On the topic of incubating and raising your own chicks, It is easy with a good incubator and proper care of the eggs prior to putting the bun in the oven. You need to tell your eggs apart first. If all 3 of your varieties lay brown eggs, then how do you know that you are incubating eggs from the breed you want to continue to work with? There are work arounds. Your hens can "store" semen for up to 3 weeks. You could separate your pick of the litter hens after they have been kept with a rooster for a few weeks. Then collect the eggs from them for 7-10 days, no more. Keep those unwashed at room temperature and turn them 3-4 times a day to prevent the yoke from sticking to the shell, or use an egg turner without the heat from the incubator.
Take the doorknob and switch it around with locking side to the outside , no more locked out issues ....
If you want to hatch eggs, the simplest way to do it is to get yourself a couple of cochin hens. They are setting machines. If you are set on raising roosters for meat, be sure and kill them young, the meat gets tough quick. I also recommend getting a half dozen guinea chickens, they're great to have around. If you want some first hand pig knowledge, holler at me, my wife and I raised them for several years.
Cheap treat idea for ya. Ramen noodles cooked drained and cooled with cold water. They go bazerk over them.
Pigs also. That will be fun to watch
Check out freedom rangers for meat chickens. Delicious. Grow out in 10-12 weeks. Need goats for the brush control.
Goats would be a better option than pigs. Or heck, get both.
Yeah, add a young wether goat, meat variety, to clear the browse.
Maybe a couple Guinea fowl hens for some of the predator issue's they are very noisy when something comes around. Bodyguards sort of for the hens. the roosters maybe be hot lunch for predators along with the hens.
A few goats in a movable fenced in area would clear the undergrowth for you in no time.
It will be fun to follow along with the new chickens and pigs. Maybe someday I'll be able to have enough land for more critters.
Thanks for the videos.
Now things are getting interesting!
Hey, Shannon, can you drop a Amazon link to that nesting box liner?
Thanks for asking! Here you go: amzn.to/32EHTdg
It made a huge difference, but just today I gathered a couple eggs that were absolutely covered in crap. I guess clean eggs is always going to be a struggle.
@@jrboutdoors7771 They generally try to roost as high as possible. If the top of the nest box is the highest perch available in the coup, then that is your answer. Try covering the top of the egg crate and see if that limits droppings onto the nest, after adding roosting spots like a 2x2, 1-1/2 or 2" pvc that has been rough sanded, or fallen tree limbs of similar size.
Rhode Island Red roosters are mean as heck.
Just raised 3 Plymouth bard rock roosters and all 3 were mean as hell !
I'm afraid that boldness I like in the hens might be a nightmare in the roosters! We'll see how it goes.
@@jrboutdoors7771
Boldness in my roosters was an understatement !!
Seed out some herbs and spices...
That's video #3. My plan for gardening.
Does having the chickens seem to help with the insect population? Obviously it’s wintertime now, but prior to now have you noticed a difference?
By the time they were old enough to spend a lot of time in the yard, the summer was pretty much over and the bugs were minimal. I will be very interested to see if it helps this year.
If the roosters don't get in line, they get in the oven
Chickens are a great farm animals .pigs are alot of work ..can't wait for the next video
Pigs eat alot, like alot alot
Very nice jrb. Nice see their doing well. I'm with the other guy goat 🐐 might better fit for what u got planned.
Have you considered meat chickens, such as the Cornish Cross? They'sre ready for processing at about 7 to 8 weeks and you get a 5+ lb chicken (processed weight).
My original plan was to do Cornish Cross in a chicken tractor this year. I think my odds of finding a good Barred Rock rooster will increase dramatically if I start with a bunch and send the most annoying ones to the freezer. I just don't need enough meat chickens to justify doing both, plus I need to save my pennies for the pigs. Once I have a rooster, I think it will be a lot of fun to hatch out some chicks from these girls, plus it will feel good to have a sustainable setup since the whole world seems to be coming apart at the seams.
I have one barred rock hen and she is the most friendly of all my chickens. She comes up to me to get pet like my dogs.
Just ordered my spring 2022 chicks. Leghorn, Cream Legbar, Andalusian, and the “meyer meal maker” mystery breed. Hoping I like these breeds, none of which I’ve ever had. I’ve had all kinds of chickens, and I think the personality by breed thing is hit or miss. My barred rocks have always been assholes that like to bite. I’ve had some skittish Rhode Island reds and some really sweet ones, that would come when called and liked cuddles. I’d only keep one rooster for 10 hens. 2 would probably over breed them really quickly. And over breeding will cause a drop in egg production due to stress. I’d make sure you kept most of the 12 separated from the ladies for most of their grow out time, (unless of course you’re planning on butchering before “puberty” at about 18 weeks) so they don’t just get clobbered by 12 sex machines. I think the other shed is the way to go.
Is... is that the usual amount of snow down there for January? The end of my drive-way has a snowbank I can hide vehicles in, if I want.
Same here in Michigan. Although this year has been more than the last few years total snow fall.
@@jeffallen3382 Same! I'm up in "da UP"!
@@upnorthreloading2214 Granf Rapids area here.
We usually only get one or two significant snowfalls per year. And it usually warms up enough to melt it off before too long. We don't usually accumulate a long-lasting snow pack.
I spent a bit of time in the UP for work about 10 years ago! Had a few pasties along the way.
I found that the personality does not necessarily come with the breed of chicken. One of my buff orpingtons comes up to me and wants attention and her neck scratched. The other I can not got close enough to touch. One of my olive eggers will follow me everywhere and even when I am working in my shop, she will hop up on the bench even when I am doing some noisy work and she like being carried around. She has even come on my dog walks with me on occasion. The other olive egger is the shyest chicken that I have. My Rhode island reds will follow me to the coop when they know there are treats involved but plain ignorantre me for the most part. I think that the individual characters they develop has not much to do with the breed when one keeps the breeds mixed like you and I do.
Do you have a favorite?
I still can't tell them apart! The lavenders are the only ones I can keep straight!
I guess my favorites are both of the barred rocks? I should probably pay more attention to which one's which.
If you are going to have chickens for eggs then learn how to use a little water at times to clean the eggs. If you are going to have chickens for meat learn how to pluck and butcher them also. I am tired of hearing about shit on the eggs and lazy people taking chickens to be processed. Learn a little bit and do for yourselves.