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English Country Life
United Kingdom
Приєднався 30 жов 2015
Two people trying to live in a self sustaining way, growing and preserving food, breeding chickens, making many of the things we use in every day life
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Walk In Chicken Runs: The Best Quality & Value We Know
We have worked with Garden Life Direct for some time now and we love them. Exceptional quality and at an affordable price. The entry level 2m x2m x 2m walk in run costs the same as some 2m x 1m x 1m runs that you have to crawl around in.
Our online UK poultry keeping shop now stocks them AND for our launch you can get a further 10% OFF OUR PRICES by using the discount code:
ECLMAX
Even better, you can use this code to get 10% off Nestera Coops so get your coop and a walk in run with the best discount you'll find on the market.
Visit our shop at englishcountrylife.com
** If you're in the US or EU, 5% off RRP is immediately available from Nestera on their coops and accessories, automatically deducted at checkout using these links:
US Residents discount link 👇
nestera.us/ecl
EU Residents discount link 👇
www.nestera.eu/ecl
We grow our own food on our smallholding and endeavour to be self-sufficient. Subscribe to see more of our life, including self-sufficiency videos, recipes, garden tips, and chicken keeping.
Our Amazon store has a number of additional products which we use on the smallholding and rate:
amzn.to/4ah27XX
(We earn a small commission from Amazon and Nestera Affiliate Links, but it doesn't cost you anything)
Opening Music credits: Artist = Earth Tree Healing
Composer = Claudine West
Website = claudinewestmusic.com/earth-tree-healing-music/
Our online UK poultry keeping shop now stocks them AND for our launch you can get a further 10% OFF OUR PRICES by using the discount code:
ECLMAX
Even better, you can use this code to get 10% off Nestera Coops so get your coop and a walk in run with the best discount you'll find on the market.
Visit our shop at englishcountrylife.com
** If you're in the US or EU, 5% off RRP is immediately available from Nestera on their coops and accessories, automatically deducted at checkout using these links:
US Residents discount link 👇
nestera.us/ecl
EU Residents discount link 👇
www.nestera.eu/ecl
We grow our own food on our smallholding and endeavour to be self-sufficient. Subscribe to see more of our life, including self-sufficiency videos, recipes, garden tips, and chicken keeping.
Our Amazon store has a number of additional products which we use on the smallholding and rate:
amzn.to/4ah27XX
(We earn a small commission from Amazon and Nestera Affiliate Links, but it doesn't cost you anything)
Opening Music credits: Artist = Earth Tree Healing
Composer = Claudine West
Website = claudinewestmusic.com/earth-tree-healing-music/
Переглядів: 1 016
Відео
Understanding Portable Power Stations / Solar Generators (Simple Solar - Part 3) inc. AFERIY P210
Переглядів 2,4 тис.День тому
This series is all about how solar power at home doesn't have to mean you cover the roof of your home entirely in solar panels. It's possible to start in a small way, including simply charging your mobile phone. In this Part 3 video we explain what a Solar Power Station is, why they make solar power VERY simple AND what to look for if you're going to buy one. We feature an Aferiy P210 Power Sta...
The Brinsea Ovation 56 EX CONNECT Review: The BEST incubator on the market
Переглядів 54314 днів тому
We have used Brinsea Incubators to support the growth of our flock for many, many years. We trust the quality, with great hatch rates every time and they are also cost effective, paying for themselves in 1 hatch (56 eggs of which assume 50 will hatch, half will be hens. Each hen is worth £50 = £1250!) The brand new innovation form Brinsea is the Ovation 56 EX Connect. This incubator has: - Auto...
Understanding Solar Panels (Simple Solar - Part 2)
Переглядів 5 тис.21 день тому
This series is all about how solar power at home doesn't have to mean you cover the roof of your home entirely in solar panels. It's possible to start in a small way, including simply charging your mobile phone. In this Part 2 video we explain how to choose your solar panels, what all of the jargon means in simple terms and the advantages of each type of solar panel available on the market from...
Countryside Security: How to avoid being a victim of rural crime (CCTV, Alarms, Locks, Gates & more)
Переглядів 80 тис.Місяць тому
It's normal for anyone who moves to the country from a busy urban environment to feel a bit worried about becoming a victim of crime. The good news is that the statistics don't support that fear. You are much less likely to be a victim of violent crime in the country. However, opportunistic crime still happens where a criminal will take their chances if they see an easy target. In this video we...
Choosing the Right Feed for Your Chickens
Переглядів 866Місяць тому
In this video we look at the different groups of chickens that you may have and match the right feed to those groups. We look at groups of: - Laying hens only - Laying hens with a cock bird - Groups with hens that are off lay e.g. too young to lay, or moulting etc - Groups with young chicks as part of the flock We trust Marriages as a quality feed brand to form the foundation of feeding regime ...
Solar Power on a Small Scale: Simple Solar Part 1
Переглядів 105 тис.Місяць тому
Solar power at home doesn't have to mean you cover the roof of your home entirely in solar panels. It's possible to start in a small way, including simply charging your mobile phone. In this video we explain how you can be more sustainable with solar on a small scale. We also give simple explanation as to how solar panels work so you can adapt any solar panel to power any electric item from a l...
Fiskars Tools: Tough Tools or Plastic Tat?
Переглядів 2,1 тис.2 місяці тому
Fiskars have a range of tools that are modern plastic designs, aimed at the home owner and smallholder / homesteader. Hugh loves traditional smallholder / homesteader tools, and has designed some axes in the past so he knows his way around useful and practical tools. In this video we look closely at the Fiskars range and how they perform in comparison to traditional tools. We review: - Axes - P...
How our broody hens hatch lots of chicks with our help - Part 2
Переглядів 1,4 тис.2 місяці тому
We breed Buff Orpington chickens and we make use of the natural broody tendencies of this wonderful breed. In this video we explain: - How we consistently achieve large clutch sizes for our hens in a way that safeguards the health of the chicks. - How we monitor the hatch process - Our care in the first few days after hatch In this video we feature: A large Nestera Ground Coop. These are availa...
11 Surprising Facts about Chickens and Hens
Переглядів 3,6 тис.2 місяці тому
We've been breeding Buff Orpingtons for many years and we've learned many surprising facts about our chickens over the years. This video covers 11 of them from laying eggs standing up to changing eye colours as they grow. There's something in the video for new and experienced chicken keepers. Check out our UK online poultry keeping shop. www.englishcountrylife.com We are different to other stor...
NO TV Licence, NO visits, NO letters: Better TV for less money LEGALLY
Переглядів 35 тис.3 місяці тому
NO TV Licence, NO visits, NO letters: Better TV for less money LEGALLY
Mandatory Poultry Registration changes for England, Scotland & Wales 2024
Переглядів 4,8 тис.3 місяці тому
Mandatory Poultry Registration changes for England, Scotland & Wales 2024
How our broody hens hatch lots of chicks with our help - Part 1
Переглядів 2,1 тис.3 місяці тому
How our broody hens hatch lots of chicks with our help - Part 1
Making & Curing Easy Gammon and Ham
Переглядів 1,1 тис.3 місяці тому
Making & Curing Easy Gammon and Ham
Why I Hate Modern Flashlights (Torches)
Переглядів 2,1 тис.4 місяці тому
Why I Hate Modern Flashlights (Torches)
Disaster on the Smallholding / Homestead
Переглядів 2,9 тис.4 місяці тому
Disaster on the Smallholding / Homestead
Sweet Mead for Beginners: A Brew Along Recipe
Переглядів 1,3 тис.4 місяці тому
Sweet Mead for Beginners: A Brew Along Recipe
Nestera 100% Recycled Plastic Chicken Coops: Full Range Review
Переглядів 2,2 тис.4 місяці тому
Nestera 100% Recycled Plastic Chicken Coops: Full Range Review
Easy Blackberry Mead (Honey wine, Melomel)
Переглядів 3,8 тис.5 місяців тому
Easy Blackberry Mead (Honey wine, Melomel)
Incubating Chickens: Where do I start
Переглядів 1,1 тис.5 місяців тому
Incubating Chickens: Where do I start
How to Clean and Sanitise a Greenhouse
Переглядів 3,2 тис.5 місяців тому
How to Clean and Sanitise a Greenhouse
Preventing Aggressive Cockerels / Roosters: Training them to be Friendly
Переглядів 2 тис.6 місяців тому
Preventing Aggressive Cockerels / Roosters: Training them to be Friendly
Perfect Pork Rinds (Pork Scratchings /Crackling/ Chicharrones /
Переглядів 1,3 тис.6 місяців тому
Perfect Pork Rinds (Pork Scratchings /Crackling/ Chicharrones /
The Ultimate Electric Fence? (Ultimate Chicken Run Part 4)
Переглядів 1 тис.6 місяців тому
The Ultimate Electric Fence? (Ultimate Chicken Run Part 4)
Why and How to Clip Chickens Wings
Переглядів 1,3 тис.7 місяців тому
Why and How to Clip Chickens Wings
Choosing Orpington Hens & Cockerels/Roosters for a Breeding Flock
Переглядів 2,1 тис.7 місяців тому
Choosing Orpington Hens & Cockerels/Roosters for a Breeding Flock
Building the Ultimate Chicken Run (Part 3 - coops and security)
Переглядів 1,6 тис.7 місяців тому
Building the Ultimate Chicken Run (Part 3 - coops and security)
How to store potatoes in an earth clamp (improvised root cellar)
Переглядів 1,6 тис.8 місяців тому
How to store potatoes in an earth clamp (improvised root cellar)
Many thanks for your video. Just canning elderflower cordial for the first time ☺️
How did it go?
As someone who has built an offgrid system for my house, this was very well explained. The only caveat would be, you should not connect an inverter to the load output on the charge controller. It is only meant for small 12v loads, lights etc.
Indeed, inverters should run from batteries as shown
what “specs” of a solar controller is needed for say, 100ah leisure battery for a small garage setup?
Hi, there's a few variables to answering that so we are planning a video on just that.
Found it 😊
Excellent!
Do you have a video up on how to pickel gherkins please thank you 😊
We do, but I see you found it 😁
“Fiona is WOmaning the camera today”… wow.
😁
dish soap and alkaline please
Righto Carl 👍
thought i'd seen your vid on elderberry champagne.. this one seems much better :) will be the perfect mixer to go with the bilberry cassis :) ..and paracetamols :)
Not sure who did elderberry champagne? It certainly wasn't me!
@@EnglishCountryLife I really thought it was you, was uk wild foods, but this is much better thanks for the vid.
@@Andrew.Croft. No worries. I do elderberry port, now that is delicious!
@@EnglishCountryLifeLooks like will be going back for some berries in a few weeks:)thanks again.
In the U.S. we have guns. Lots of them, and especially those of us in the countryside.
Which does make you wonder why you have a murder rate that's so much higher than most developed countries? Thankfully we don't have armed home invasions
Advisory: make sure the jaws of the vice do not have indentations or lines across the flat surface. Even if you have a fabric around the scales they might be marked permanently. I prefer to do the pressing manually over a table protected with a mat with some thickness to it. Thanks for the video!
I use a woodworking vice. The jaws are lined with leather covered wood so as not to mar delicate surfaces. A metal working vice with serrated jaws should have inserts available for soft metals like aluminium that present a flat, non marking, surface
Wow all that seems like it would disrupt any peace you get from the country living.
Not at all. If closing a gate or locking a door is too complex, you are probably a townie anyway 😉
Great video really informative but simple enough for all us novices ! If you have a link to how to keg a beer that would be appreciated. Living abroad makes it difficult to get home brew items but I have a basic beginner home brew kit from the UK, thanks again keep up the good work !
I haven't filmed the keg video yet, sorry, I must get to it!
Great video
Thanks!
Thanks Fiona. Here in the Charente we just got a replacement Cockerel and he brought some guests with him..... So, we're in the thick of the treatment stage here. A really clear and concise video. Thanks again.
We have a rule now - no live chickens are bought. We hatch what we need. It's not possible for everyone but it does add a measure of biosecurity against red mite, chicken lice etc.
Your videos are fnlabtastic! Thanks for sharing your advice, knowledge and expertise! I look forward to making your version of elderberry wine in autumn :)
Thank you. It looks to be a good year for elderberries
@@EnglishCountryLife absolutely, I've got 2 gallons of what will be elderflower champagne fermenting at the moment and there were so many buds left on the trees. I'm looking forward to this autumn's harvest
@@rodmund83 Awesome!
Great video and super easy to understand mate. Very well done 🤓
Thanks so much 😁
Very well put together video Hugh 🤙🏻 I wish I could explain things this well. You must of been a professor in your past life 🤓
Far from it! I did do a lot of training in industry at one point though 🙂.
You poor blokes in America our farm security system also has names like Winchester, Colt and Remington. The threat of lead makes robbery in rural communities a dangerous occupation
But if it's so safe, why is your murder rate so obscenely high?
That’s in our cities. Rural murder rates are extremely low
@@farmboycharlie6543 Ahhh, so they don't have guns in cities then?
@@EnglishCountryLife. Just saying our 160 acre farm doesn’t have a lock anywhere. You got armor doors to keep your garden tools from being stolen
@@farmboycharlie6543 Yep. We've never had a theft, but it's sensible to be cautious
Followed and made my cordial but it seems like something has separated and looks a bit cloudy, what may have gone wrong?
The only thing that springs to mind is that the sugar didn't fully dissolve?
As an electrician I know the topic, but the way it was explained is absolutely brilliant. I wish I had teachers like that at school. Thanks Hugh!
Thank you so much, you made my evening!
We have no TV licence either ,there was nothing worth watching. I don't miss it at all.
That's very true about nothing worth watching!
Amazing video so easy to understand! Thanks a bunch.
Thank you, glad you liked it!
i started with a simple 400watt 12v kit then built up my system 1600 watt ... no regrets here.. you can slowly keep building up as needed
Totally agree Robert, the joy of these systems is they can be large or small and are easily upgraded.
@@EnglishCountryLife yes. 👍👍
Really like those!
They are awesome - and a bargain too
I wish you made a video when you were puttiing this structure up
We filmed the process on one of our other runs. Hopefully this will help ua-cam.com/video/-pHbOTjrAFw/v-deo.html
Good to see you (fiona) on your feet.
Thanks David!
Thank you Sir, explained really well, so much so, I will be using this YT for my kids homeschool science when we work on building a Solar power system for the greenhouse.
That sounds like a great project
Thank you
You're welcome
What's the best chicken to get if you never had chicken s before, we would like just eggs thank you Deb.
I woul avoid breeds that go broody. A large, placid breed is a sensible choice such as Brahmas or Australorps
I'm in 🇺🇸...I like your runs. The wire is much better than what I have... the hex isn't worth it. I have rabbits cages in mine arms paddock over the top. A mesh floor and extensions would be great options! With welded wire and the doors you have, a person could have rabbit colonies running free.
I really can't see why that wouldn't work - what a great idea 💡
Hi Fiona. Well done on your poultry shop looking good. Just a quick bit of advice needed regarding sour crop, we have a 3 yr old White Sussex (head hen of 3 who has developed Sour crop, our first course of action was no food for 24 hrs only water with apple cider vinegar added. we have massaged her crop on 2 occasions whilst tilting her head downwards this made her regurgitate bring up smelly brown fluid about half a tea cup along with remains of seeds, pellets and the remains of a Slow worms tail. Started feeding her with yogurt with a little added honey this also had a sprinkle of pro biotic, conducted a second massage session later that day again more brown fluid and a few remains of seed, she is not interested in her normal food but drinking, comb still bright red with a slight purple edge. Today she has been force fed more yogurt, also tried a small amount of scrambled egg/chopped strawberry ignored egg but did eat strawberry which was coated in probiotic.She is self isolating and is going to bed indoors in a second nesting box. Any tips or ideas/advice please. Our hen vet ( over 1.5hrs away) is away until end of June.
Evening Steve! We don't have a lot of experience with sour crop I'm afraid. Obviously a vet is the best bet but we have found this page to have solid information www.bhwt.org.uk/hen-health/health-problems/sour-crop/
@@EnglishCountryLife Hi Fiona, thank you for the very speedy reply, wife reading through BHWT link, Lots of differing advice. Will investigate further, thank you again. SteveR
Really useful, thank you. Hoping to get my first chickens later this year 😊
Oh how exciting!
Myself my son and my friend built ours with much of the wood foraged or donated.
That's fantastic. We are moving away from wood now as we struggle to get even 10 years out of fence posts - it all seems to rot in contact with the ground
I live in the country, I have dogs, cameras, and guns.
Good for you. Locks might be an idea
The loud noises in the background in 09.13, what does that mean? My chickens make this noise every time they see me 😅
It literally means "here is food" 😁
Haha, that makes sense 😆 thank you!
Ever tried to use a plumber wrench on a padlock? It should be faster than your angle grinder.
I haven't but now I have to try it!
Hi and thankyou for the inspiration to make my own and one recipe I would like to try is rhubarb and ginger but I am not sue of other peoples recipe do you have one and a method I could follow many thanks and keep up the good work
Hi! That's not a recipe that I've tried but it does sound delicious!
I live in Papua New Guinea wishing the Highlands, lots of fresh fruit to make wine, ginger in abundance BUT I have no access to several of the added (chemical additives) I can only go all organic, cloudy or not cloudy, wine yeast or not, are not options I have, what suggestions do you have ? For all natural
There are lots of wines that would work with wine yeast and sugar, but sadly, this one won't. Most fruit wines will ferment out can be created with the right amount of sweetness by adjusting the sugar. Clearing will eventually happen naturally.
Not possible to cancel this fee in Germany, unfortunatelly. Normally you just wouldn't believe that, but they assume, that every household posesses or is able to purchase devices, that can receive public brodcast services - therefore every household has to pay. I assume, the day will come our gouvernment regrets this "smart" move of enforcing payment.
That must be very annoying
Thank you! I like your "doesn't have to be all or none" approach.
Honestly Michael a lot of us can't afford a whole house system (although they are becoming more affordable), but we have enjoyed understanding the technology and it's capabilities & are expanding our set up. One day we will go "whole house"
How png does the fermentiaion process take untill you can drink it?
That depends very much on the temperature and yeast used but 4 weeks is usual until bottling. The wine benefits from aging in the bottle but can be drunk straight away
No to police state
wow - your 2 videos about solar panels have been fantastic. I am going to solar panel my shed and my campervan :)
Thank you so much. We have a third in the series now and more are planned ua-cam.com/video/XwVPRcsUal4/v-deo.html
great introductory video! but unfortunately there is no way that beer can taste very good if you’re using granulated sugar as your fermentables. Replace the table sugar with about 500g of dextrose (brewing sugar) and add 1kg of malt extract. Will end up with a much better finished product. Alternatively you could use just malt extract, about 1.2-1.5kg. If you use just sugar, you will be disappointed. also, to spice it up, I would recommend adding Saaz hops. Just literally throw the pellets into the bucket once fermentation is done. You may end up spending an extra £15 but you’ll get much better quality beer
We will have to disagree here, I've had very nice beer indeed made with kits and sucrose. I've also had god awful beer made by all grain methods with digital temperature control, elaborate sparging and hand selected hops. The function of this video was to demonstrate that perfectly nice beer can be made simply and cheaply with widely available ingredients. Of course you can take it as far as you want. I know one brewmaster who wouldn't touch commercially grown barley or other peoples hops. However that's not how to make the hobby approachable to newcomers . If you think there's a better way, I look forward to your video series that demonstrates it & explains at a biochemical level the flavour impact of sugar digestion by yeast.
Mais c’est fou , ces anglais sont voleurs de plus en plus , pourquoi ? Il ne faut plus leur faire confiance dorénavant ! Je ne passerai pas mes vacances dans ce trou a rats ou il faut regarder par dessus son èpaule à chaque pas ! Ah ah 😂😂😂
Pungi pits wotk.
I’ve been making the 7 day kit wines and I’m going to move onto the country fruit ones. Maybe I missed it but overall, how long a process is this from fermentation to bottling?
Hi! Various factors will affect the duration (especially temperature) but it's broadly similar to the eine kits that you are used to
Wonderful garden you have there sir!
Thank you!
Excellent information! I've been struggling with which Nestera coop to purchase for our first ever chickens. I like the wagon features except no space underneath and low to the ground. After watching your video, I'm leaning towards the raised large coop. Thank you for such an honest review.
So glad that it was helpful. If you buy from www.englishcountrylife.com and use code ECLMAX at checkout you will get 10% off 😉
It’s not hard to jump a fence, and use a paintball marker on the cameras, motion lights do suck tho lol, I guess you could use a paintball marker on that too lol, don’t get the wrong idea I’m no thief, but I like to explore abandoned places, I’m in the US tho, can you guys have paintball markers? I know airsoft is popular over there
Of course we have paintball markers, and shotguns, rifles, suppressors, night sights etc.
@@EnglishCountryLife cool, and thanks for the quick response, ya i wasn’t sure if you could or not, just something else to consider