A Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Chickens
A little over a year ago, I finally got the okay from my husband to add backyard chickens to our family. We live in the city… on 1/2 an acre… so he thought I was a little crazy.
Since then he’s realized it’s definitely possible, but he still thinks I’m crazy… a crazy chicken lady.
People want chickens for multiple reasons: eggs, meat, pets.
I wanted fresh eggs available, but these girls have become part of our family!'
Adding backyard chickens to your family doesn’t have to be hard, or even expensive, but it does take some initial planning.
Step 1: Plan
Ask the important questions:
Are there any laws or limits on backyard chickens in your city? Do you need a permit?
Are you allowed to have a rooster?
How many chickens do you want? (This matters when determining coop size!)
Where are they going to stay in your yard?
Do you want to buy or build a coop?
As you will soon learn, once you have the actual chickens, things will change. Still, you need to plan how to start, because once you have them things will start moving quickly.
Step 2: Coop Setup
Manufactured coops can be expensive for their size, but they also have some really nice ones! Knowing your budget helps. I was fortunate to find one a family friend was giving away.
There are soooo many really neat ideas floating around on Google and in chicken Facebook groups on how to create coops on a budget.
I’ve seen people take kid’s outdoor playhouses and turn them into beautiful coops!
Also, consider if they will be able to free range in your backyard or will you add a run to the coop.
Our chickens free range our backyard during the day, but I built a run around their coop using pallets. If we can’t be home to keep an eye on them throughout the day, I allow them to stay in the run rather than being cooped up in the coop. Here’s our run:
If your buying day old chicks, your setup doesn’t have to be completely finished. However, you need to have a plan for it to be finished by the time they are teenagers.
Also make sure you have:
Raised roosts
Nesting boxes
Step 3: What kind of chickens?
It’s important to know what you want out of your chickens. Different breeds lay different numbers of eggs per year and certain breeds are considered meat chickens.
Some breeds are more docile and some are more heat or cold tolerant. So, it’s important to know what you want from your new flock before you take a random draw of chicks.
Not only did I want eggs, but I wanted colorful eggs. So, that’s what I got.
Step 4: Buy Chickens!!
If you want day old chicks, you’re going to need a brooder.
If you buy chickens that are teenagers or already laying, they can go straight to the coop!
Step 5: Brooder Setup
A brooder can look like a lot of things. I have used rubbermaid tubs and rabbit cages.
Babies will need a heat pad or heat lamp. A heat pad allows the babies to come and go from the heat source as needed. A heat lamp needs to be adjusted (moved further away) as they grow.
My biggest advice with heat a heat lamp is to simply watch your babies. If they seem to be huddled together tightly and standing (unable to relax), they are probably cold. If they are spread out laying with a wing out, they are probably hot.
You will also need a bowl for food and a bowl for water. Use starter crumbles for feed, and be prepared to clean out their food and water… a lot. These little guys are messy. Don’t forget the bedding! I use pine shavings.
Depending on where you live and the season, they will stay in the brooder for a while. I live in the South, so they are able to move outside a little sooner here. Most recommend your chickens are at least 8-12 weeks old, but I’ve seen success stories from all ages.
Use your mama instincts.
Step 6: Eviction Day! Move Them to the Coop
Your chickies aren’t so little anymore, and they are ready to go outside!
If they have a run or will free range, leave them in their coop full time for the first few days. This helps them understand this is their safe place. Once they catch on to this concept, they will return at dusk on their own to roost for the night!
Backyard Chickens
Is this a comprehensive post? Definitely not. But it will absolutely get you started!
You’re going to learn more as you go. You will have so many questions.
I recommend joining a Facebook group or two. I’m obsessed. My favorite is BYC (BackYardChickens).
Don’t be afraid to tweek ideas to make them fit your needs… and have fun with them! Chickens are special addition to any family.
So…. if you haven’t heard of it…. there’s a thing called “chicken math.” Give it some time. You’ll know exactly what I mean once you get started.
If you decide to take the plunge, I hope you have an amazing experience with your backyard chickens. Write and let me know how your experience is going in the comments section below…
