Raising backyard chickens for eggs is a very rewarding process. There is nothing quite like raising a little chick from a few days old to the day when you finally get your first farm-fresh egg! Here’s everything you need to know about how to raise backyard chickens.
Our Chicken-Keeping Experience
I knew that I wanted backyard chickens from the moment that I stepped foot on our property. There was an old, broken-down coop and lots of space for free-ranging chickens. But, I was intimidated because I’d never cared for an exclusively outdoors pet and I definitely didn’t grow up on a farm!
I had a friend who is an experienced chicken-keeper give me some tips for getting started with raising backyard chickens for eggs. She taught me that it is a really simple and rewarding process!
I’m entering year two of raising backyard chickens, and I honestly can’t imagine life without our cute little backyard, feathered friends!
If you’re feeling intimidated by chicken keeping, here’s the basics to get you started!
Pros and Cons of Getting Chicks or Chickens?
There are pros and cons to raising chickens from incubated eggs, baby chicks, or purchasing laying hens.
Incubated Eggs
Incubated eggs are often cheaper than baby chicks, and it can put less stress on the babies because they will not be traveling via mail. This process is more time-intensive and requires extra tools like an incubator.
Baby Chicks
Buying baby chicks is often more affordable than buying older chickens. You have more options with the breeds, and the chickens will live longer. You can raise them organically from the start. However, raising baby chicks is a messy process that requires more work than simply getting older hens. It will also take longer before they are laying.
However, if you have young children or want to watch the amazing process of chicken growth and development, I do recommend starting with chicks! Learn more about raising chickens from chicks on this post.
Laying Hens
If you buy older chickens, you can know for sure that you have laying hens and not a rooster. Many cities do not allow roosters, and it can be difficult to rehome them.
However, laying hens are often already laying! It can be an encouraging way to start chicken keeping and it may boost your confidence to have farm-fresh eggs right from the start!
Breeds
There are countless breeds of chickens, I would have to write a book to cover them all! But if you, like me, want to have a rainbow of chicken eggs, here are some popular breeds to get:
White Eggs: Leghorn, Lakenvelder, Polish
Light Purplish Brown: Wyandotte, Silkie
Light Brown: Rode Isalnd Red, Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Orpington
Dark Brown: Black Copper Maran, Welsummer, Pendesenca
Light Blue: Easter Egger, Ameraucana, Araucana
Light Green: Easter Egger, Olive Egger
We have a mix of breeds in our flock! One of the least expensive options I found is to order a surprise bundle of multi-color laying hens. We got ours from this hatchery.
Supplies Needed: How to Raise Backyard Chickens
Before you pick up your chicks or chickens, it’s important to make sure that you have the supplies you will need. It’s also important to make sure you have a safe and secure coop. But, you don’t have to have the most beautiful coop! My coop is a patched-up version of the old one on our property. It’s not beautiful, but it is functional and didn’t cost us very much. You can also shop secondhand for coops (make sure to clean them well)!
Another option is using reclaimed materials to build a coop. You can find a lot of chicken materials for affordable prices secondhand, but you need to make sure to sanitize them prior to use.
Chicken Coop + Run: Make sure it is secure and predator proof. Here are some plans on Etsy or you could build one with reclaimed materials.
Nesting Boxes: Comfortable and private spaces for hens to lay eggs. Some coops already have these built in.
Roosting Perches: Horizontal bars or branches for chickens to sleep on.
Bedding: Suitable bedding material such as straw, wood shavings, or hay to keep the coop clean and comfortable.
Feeder and Waterer: Suitable containers to provide food and water to your chickens. Plastic is cheaper but metal lasts longer.
More Supplies
Chicken Feed: High-quality chicken feed appropriate for their age and purpose (e.g., layer feed for egg-laying hens). Grit: Chickens need grit to help them digest their food, especially if they forage.
Crushed Oyster Shells: To help with eggshell formation and prevent calcium deficiency. Get them here or at a local farm store.
Feed Container: A secure and rodent-proof container to store chicken feed such as a metal trash can with a lid.
Water Heater (optional): If you live in a cold climate, a water heater can prevent water from freezing during winter.
Dust Bath Area: A dry, sandy area where chickens can take dust baths to keep themselves clean and control mites.
Egg Collection Basket or Tray: This one is great for your kitchen!
Egg Cartons: For storing and transporting collected eggs.
Cleaning Supplies: Tools for cleaning the coop and replacing bedding, such as a shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow.
Chicken Coop: How to Raise Backyard Chickens
Before getting chickens, you will need to have a chicken coop. We patched up an old one on our property, but you could build or buy your own if you don’t already have one. These chicken plans have great reviews! If you plan to let your chickens free range or want to move them around for rotation grazing, a moveable chicken tractor like this one may be a good option.
If you’re on a tight budget, don’t spend thousands on your coop. Our current coop is far from pretty, but it does the job! Our chickens prefer free-ranging during the day, and the coop simply provides a safe place for them at night! We do have an attached run for when they are not free-ranging.
When and Where to Buy Chickens
You can buy chicks at a local farm store, Tractor Supply, a hatchery, or online.
If you are ordering chicks online, you may have to place an order minimum to avoid large shipping fees. Ordering online is a good option if you want specific breeds or want to order any time of the year.
Many farm stores do not get chickens until closer to the spring. At my local store, you call ahead of time to order the breeds you want, and pick them up around March or April. Farm chain stores like Tractor Supply do not require you to order ahead of time.
Raising Chicks
Raising chicks requires careful attention to their basic needs to ensure their health and well-being. First, prepare a suitable brooder—a secure and warm enclosure with proper ventilation. Use a heat lamp or heat plate to maintain a temperature of around 95°F (35°C) initially, gradually reducing it by 5°F (about 3°C) each week until they are fully feathered and can regulate their temperature. Provide clean bedding, like wood shavings or straw, and ensure there’s enough space for the chicks to move.
Offer a chick feeder and waterer, keeping them clean and refreshed daily. Start with chick starter feed and chick grit (to aid with digestion), which is specially formulated for their nutritional requirements. Start getting them ready to go outside between 6-10 weeks old, once they are fully feathered. You can gradually get them used to being outside by allowing them to spend part of the day outside and the evenings back in their brooder if it is really cold.
Laying Hens
If you don’t want to wait for fresh eggs and would like to skip the raising chick stage, you can start with laying hens! Many local farmers sell laying hens. You can also check local Facebook groups. Research breeds and buy chickens from a trusted source. You can also get breeds that lay different colored eggs! Also, before getting backyard chickens you need to research local guidelines and required licenses. Some cities do not allow rooster or chickens, so it is best to research this before purchasing chickens! You may also need to get a license if your city requires it.
Chicken Care: How to Raise Backyard Chickens
I recommend getting this book for more detailed care instructions, but here are the basics to help you get started. Make sure your chickens have food, fresh water, grit, and oyster shells every day. You can allow them to free range or supplement with treats or chicken-safe kitchen scraps. Gather eggs daily. Clean their coop weekly or use a deep-litter method and add new bedding on top of the old weekly, then do a complete clean out each month. Sprinkle food-grade diatamaceous earth and barn lime in their coop to prevent mites, lice, and bad smells. Regularly check for signs of predators and break-ins.
Common Chicken Problems
There are some common chicken problems to look out for as a new chicken keeper.
Lice or Mites
Chickens can get lice and mites. These pesky creatures can be a problem for your flock! Fortunately, you can treat it with products like Spinosad and Elector PSP. For a more natural approach, provide the chickens with a wood ash dust bath. Include Diatomaceous Earth in their coop, use a natural coop mite spray, and clean the coop regularly.
Diseases
Chickens are also susceptible to diseases such as Marek’s, Avian Flu, and Salmonella. Many baby chicks are vaccinated for Markek’s Disease. I recommend this book for natural methods for helping chickens combat common diseases.
More Chicken Resources: How to Raise Backyard Chickens
If you are wanting a one-stop-shop for information on how to raise backyard chickens, here are some books to help you get started.
The Homesteader’s Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook by Amy K. Fewell
The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens by Anne Kuo
The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan
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