Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming for those who are new to the process. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know to get started with raising chickens, from preparation to harvesting eggs.
Getting Started
Benefits of Raising Chickens
Raising chickens has many benefits, including a steady supply of fresh eggs and meat, entertainment, fertilizer, bug control, and educational opportunities. It can also be a great way to teach children about responsibility and where food comes from.
Is it Allowed in My Area?
Before you start raising chickens, you need to check with your local government to see if there are any ordinances or regulations in place that prohibit or restrict backyard chicken keeping. Some cities and towns have specific rules regarding the number of chickens you can keep, as well as where they can be kept.
How Much Space Do I Need?
The amount of space you need for a small backyard flock will depend on several factors, including the size of your yard and the breed of chicken you're raising. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 2-4 square feet of space per chicken inside the coop, and 8-10 square feet of outdoor space.
Preparing for Chickens
Choosing a Coop or Enclosure
One easy-to-achieve coop or enclosure is available at many farm stores: a 10x10 dog kennel. For a little more, you can put a peaked (tarped) roof on it, and with some additional chicken wire achieve a great summer enclosure. Additional tarps enclose it for winter.
If you go the dog kennel route, consider replacing the tarp roof with a translucent tarp in winter. Sunlight is super important for egg-laying chickens because it helps trigger their ovaries to release a yolk and start the egg-laying process.
Using the above space rules, a 10x10 dog kennel is adequate for up to 25 full-size adult chickens. Smaller breeds could increase that limit.
You can find many pre-built coops and kits online.
Chicken Coop Large Metal Chicken Run for Yard Chicken Pen/Cage Outdoor Walk-in Chicken House Heavy Duty Poultry Cage with Waterproof and Anti-UV Cover
【Upgrade Rust-proof and Strong Construction】：The chicken coop adopts high-quality steel pipe frame and galvanized technology, which is solid and durable enough for long-lasting outdoor use and keeps your pets from predators. Full galvanized tubes and anti-rust material ensure more stability and security for the chicken-run house and stable enough in windy and heavy rain
【Easy to Assemble】：We set a number for each installation component and provide detailed installation instructions on the instruction manual, so you can easily complete the assembly by following the installation steps. We have upgraded the quality of every connecting part of the poultry cage, which effectively improves the product quality of the chicken cage and saves the installation time
【Waterproof and Anti-Ultraviolet Cover】：Our large walk-in metal chicken house is covered with durable polyethylene tarp on the top that providing for full protection from sun, rain, snow, Provide ull sun, rain and snow protection is available for your pet, with UV protection added to prevent tearing, cracking, fading or peeling to keep you going for years
【PVC Coated Hexagonal Wire Mesh】：PVC coated full coverage wire mesh is stronger and more durable.The poultry can be kept in cages and are effectively protected from predators. The small gaps between the mesh pieces add security for your chicken, ensuring the chicken's touch and grip
【Convenient & Safety Lockable Door】：This chicken run for yard with cover with a lockable galvanized door provides extra security for getting in and out.The narrowed gap to avoid chickens escaping and wild animals entering
View on AmazonTips for Building a Chicken Coop
When building a chicken coop, make sure to include the following features:
- Ventilation: chickens need fresh air to stay healthy
- Predator protection: use hardware cloth to protect your flock from predators
- Easy cleaning: make sure the coop is easy to clean and maintain
Remember, chicken wire keeps chickens in - hardware cloth keeps predators out.
Caring for Chickens
Feeding and Nutrition
Chickens need a balanced diet that includes protein, grains, and vegetables. You can purchase chicken feed at most farm stores or online. Make sure to provide fresh water at all times.
Little Giant® Plastic Poultry Drinker | Heavy Duty Plastic Gravity Fed Water Container Jar | Plastic Chicken Waterer | 3 Gallon
GRAVITY FED DESIGN - This water container provides water flow at a constant rate using its complete gravity-fed design with a 3-gallon capacity.
HIGHLY DURABLE - This water tank is made of heavy-duty polystyrene that is designed to withstand heat, cold, and cracks.
EASY ASSEMBLY - The water dish base can be easily assembled and disassembled with the container using its simple screw on design.
TRANSPARENT JAR - The water jar is molded from durable transparent polyethylene so the water level is always visible.
RED DESIGN - The base features a bright red color that attracts birds.
View on AmazonHealth Care
Regular health checks are important to keep your chickens healthy. Look for signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhea, or changes in appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian who specializes in poultry. If that isn't an option for you, a mentor or peer group might be able to assist in getting your birds healthy. Social media can be a great resource to find those kinds of groups.
Managing the Flock
How Many Chickens Should I Keep?
For beginners, starting with a small flock of three to four chickens is a great idea. This way, you can get the hang of taking care of them without feeling too overwhelmed. As you get more comfortable and confident, you can always think about adding more chickens to your flock.
Introducing New Chickens
When introducing new chickens to an existing flock, make sure to follow these steps:
- Quarantine the new chickens for at least 30 days
- Gradually introduce the new chickens to the existing flock
- Monitor the behavior of both groups to ensure a smooth transition
If you're introducing significantly younger birds, waiting to introduce them until they're roughly the same size as your existing flock will give them a fighting chance to fit into the group. If you run into problems, refer back to your support system.
Harvesting Eggs
When Can I Expect My Hens to Start Laying?
Chickens typically start laying eggs at around 18-24 weeks of age. However, this can vary depending on breed and nutrition.
How Often Should I Collect Eggs?
It's best to collect eggs from the coop daily to prevent damage and encourage healthy egg-laying behavior. Leaving eggs for too long might encourage a hen to "go broody", where she sits on the clutch of eggs and does not lay.
A clutch of uncollected eggs is a tempting treat for predators. Your nesting box becomes a grocery store if you leave it stocked.
MT Products Blank Natural Pulp Egg Cartons Holds Up to Twelve Eggs - 1 Dozen Strong Sturdy Cardboard Material Egg Crate Bulk - Perfect For Storing Extra (Pack of 15) - Made in the USA
LARGE CARTONS: These rustic egg cartons are perfecting for storing and securing up to a dozen eggs. Have extra eggs and no place to put them? These empty egg cartons can snugly store up to twelve extra large eggs! Stock up on chicken eggs or keep your eggs safe in this perfectly secure container.
EXCELLENT MATERIAL: These egg carton are made of high quality sustainable recycled pulp material and designed to absorb humidity so your eggs stay dry and fresh. The sturdiness and thickness ensures no breakage while transporting or lifting. These egg cartons cheap bulk are even more durable than the ones used in local stores!
REUSABLE: Paper egg cartons are sturdy enough that they will hold up to their multiple uses. Firm fit and secure lid allows daily use of opening and closing while still keeping these egg cartons bulk in perfect condition. You can use it over and over again and it will still be as good as new!
MAKE IT PERSONAL: For your convenience, there is plenty of room to stamp your logo, write a brief message, or indicate what type of egg you are selling. Hand these out at the market with your farm's name for a truly personalized experience.
MULTI USAGE: Great idea for Arts and Crafts classroom projects or seed trays. These cardboard egg cartons also store homemade bath bombs perfectly. These blank egg cartons hide twelve little surprises in them like prizes, candy, or stickers, tie with a bow, and you can have adorable homemade gift packages to give to a loved one!
View on AmazonTips for Increasing Egg Production
To increase egg production, make sure to provide a balanced diet, adequate space, and regular health checks. Also, consider providing supplements such as oyster shells or crushed eggshells to support calcium intake.
Manna Pro Crushed Oyster Shell | Egg-Laying Chickens | 5 LB
FOR LAYING POULTRY: Our crushed oyster shells are crafted to provide essential calcium for all laying poultry including chickens, ducks, and quails; from backyard flock to commercial farms, our product is the perfect addition to your chicken feed
OYSTER SHELL & CORAL CALCIUM: Our chicken oyster shells are made from a blend of crushed oyster shells and coral calcium, ensuring that your poultry receive a high-quality source of chicken calcium that is easily digestible
STRONGER EGGSHELLS: Our crushed oyster shells are an excellent source of calcium for chickens, providing the necessary nutrients for proper eggshell formation, resulting in high-quality eggs and a healthier flock overall
HEAT TREATED FOR PURITY:Our oyster shells for chickens are heat treated to ensure maximum purity and cleanliness; our crushed oyster shells for chickens are free from harmful contaminants, bacteria and pathogens, making it safe for your poultry to consume
MADE IN USA: Our chicken food is proudly made in the USA, using only the finest ingredients; by choosing our crushed oyster shells for chickens, you're ensuring your birds receive a high-quality, domestically made product that you can trust
View on AmazonCommon Challenges and Solutions
Dealing with Predators
Predators such as foxes, coyotes, and hawks can be a threat to your flock. Consider using electric fencing or other protective measures to keep predators out. There are as many solutions to predator-proof your coop as there are predators.
Automatic Chicken Coop Door Opener, ChickenGuard One in All 4 Colours, Timer/Light Sensing, Winter Mode, Auto-Stop & Predator Proof, 4 x AA Batteries Included, Electric/Solar Compatible (Green)
Three power options; The new generation of ChickenGuard auto coop door openers don’t confine you to just one power source; This door comes with 4 x AA Alkaline Batteries for immediate use, but you can choose to power the door with a solar panel kit or 9v DC electric cable (not included)
Plug and play technology; It takes no more than 10 minutes to install our automatic chicken door opener (no complicated wiring or cabling); User friendly set-up wizard for easy programming
4 open/close options; Choose the best mode for you; Timer to open & close at a pre-set time; Light sensing to open at sunrise & close at sunset; Dual-Safe mode ensures the coop door is closed no matter which comes first – pre-set time or sunset; The door can also be operated manually by simply pressing the up & down buttons
Winter mode; Select Winter Mode in snowy/icy conditions; Provides a power boost to the motor to kickstart the door, easily removing any icicle or snow build-up; Winter Mode - more power just when it’s needed
Auto stop safety; Built in anti-pinch safety feature; As the door is lowered it will sense an obstruction and reverse back to the ‘open’ position ensuring your girls won’t get caught under the door; The door will close again after a short interval
Extension kit; Not everyone needs oneso the ChickenGuard control panel extension kit is now available separately on Amazon; No crouching down in the chicken run or kneeling in the mud to program your unit; this handy kit allows you to position your detachable control panel at the optimal height & and location for your setup; Compatible with all new generation ChickenGuard ‘one piece’ automatic coop openers
Why ChickenGuard? Brand established in 2013; designing/engineering/selling for 10yrs (7yrs on Amazon); Full 3-year manufacturer warranty; Dedicated product support; Automated help centre; plus, free, In-house, multilingual customer support team
View on AmazonManaging Chicken Manure
Composted chicken manure can be used as fertilizer for your garden. Make sure to compost the manure before applying it to your soil. Hot composting (turning every few days) produces fertilizer in as little as 5 weeks, while cold composting (pile it up and ignore it) can take a year or more to produce usable fertilizer.
By following these tips and guidelines, you'll be well on your way to raising healthy and happy chickens. Remember to always do plenty of research and stay up-to-date with local regulations and best practices in backyard chicken keeping.