Starting your own chicken coop can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Fresh eggs every morning, adorable feathered friends, and tasty homegrown meat are just a few of the benefits. However, before you dive in, it’s important to understand everything involved with properly caring for chickens. This article will walk you through all the essentials for starting your backyard flock.
Selecting the Right Chickens
Before purchasing any chickens, research which breeds will work best for your needs. Here are some things to consider:
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Egg production – Some breeds like Rhode Island Reds lay up to 300 eggs per year, while others only lay 100-150.
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Cold hardy: Some breeds do better in cold places. If you live in the north, give these breeds top priority.
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Heat tolerant – Similarly, some breeds handle heat better than others. Important for southern regions.
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Personality – Some breeds are docile and friendly while others can be aggressive. Factor in children or frequent handlers.
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Cost – Prices range from $2/chick for standard production breeds to $25+ for specialty show birds. Set a budget.
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Broodiness – Some hens have strong maternal instincts and will stop laying to incubate eggs. Only get a broody breed if you want to hatch chicks.
Once you know what breeds you want, buy chicks early in the spring from a reputable hatchery or farm store. Allow three to five chicks per adult in your family to make sure you have enough eggs every day.
Providing the Proper Housing
Giving your chickens a safe place to live is one of the most important things you can do to start a backyard flock. Your coop should have the following:
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Shelter – A sturdy structure that protects against predators, rain, wind, and sun.
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Perches – Chickens sleep on perches elevated off the ground. Allow 8-10 inches per bird.
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Nest boxes—Give each hen two to three 12×12-inch boxes to lay eggs in. Line with straw.
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Dust bathing area – Chickens take dust baths to clean their feathers. Designate a box with loose dirt.
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Ventilation – Good airflow reduces odor and keeps chickens healthy. Include windows and vents.
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Easy access – Doors and windows that make cleaning and collecting eggs convenient for you.
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Rodent-proof – Seal any openings bigger than 1/4 inch to prevent mice and rats.
In addition to the coop, an outdoor run allows chickens room to roam safely. Aim for 10 square feet per bird.
Offering Proper Chicken Care
Caring for backyard chickens involves more than just providing housing. Here are some other key elements:
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Water – Fresh, clean water at all times is essential. Use plastic or galvanized founts to reduce spills.
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Quality feed – Choose a complete feed with 16% protein minimum. Offer 1/4 pound per hen daily.
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Grit – Chickens need grit to grind and digest food. Provide a sprinkling in a separate dish.
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Supplements – Offer free choice oyster shell for calcium and a vitamin mineral blend.
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Clean litter – Spot clean manure daily and do a full coop clean out 1-2 times per year.
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Health management – Monitor for illness, trim beaks/nails as needed, and keep vaccinations current.
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Predator protection – Secure housing and supervise free-range time to protect from wild and domestic predators.
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Entertainment – Keep chickens mentally stimulated by scattering treats in litter or hanging cabbage.
Following these guidelines will keep your flock healthy and productive for years to come. Expect to spend 15-30 minutes per day caring for 3-5 chickens.
Understanding Chicken Health Issues
While chickens are generally hardy birds, they can encounter certain health problems. Being able to recognize and treat common conditions is key.
Here are some to watch for:
Respiratory Diseases
Caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms include sneezing, wheezing, discharge from eyes or nose. Can be fatal. Isolate sick birds immediately and consult a vet.
External Parasites
Lice, mites and fleas can live on chickens and in coops. Look for excessive preening, bald spots, scaly legs. Treat with sprays, dusts, or by cleaning coop.
Impacted Crop
When feed gets stuck in crop area and causes a blockage. Bird will stop eating. Massage crop to break up blockage.
Egg Binding
When a fully formed egg gets stuck inside hen. Symptoms include straining, sitting in nest for long periods. Apply warm compresses and lubricate vent gently.
Bumblefoot
Bacterial infection of footpad. Causes limping, swollen feet. Treat by cleaning wound and applying antibiotic ointment.
Monitor chickens closely and isolate any that seem under the weather. Quick action can prevent major outbreaks. Having a relationship with a poultry vet is also wise.
Cost Breakdown of Starting a Coop
When budgeting for a basic backyard coop housing 3-5 chickens, here are approximate costs to expect:
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One time purchases
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Coop – $300-$600 depending on materials and size
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Run – $100-$300 for fencing and supplies
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Feeders – $20
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Waterers – $20
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Nest boxes – $30
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Perches – $20
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Heat lamp & brooder (if starting with chicks) – $40
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Total: $530-$1030
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Recurring expenses
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Chickens – $5-15 each
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Feed – $15-20 per month
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Bedding – $10-20 per month
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Supplements/grit – $10 per month
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Miscellaneous supplies (shavings, cleaning tools, etc) – $20 per month
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Total recurring: $60-$100 per month
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Additional potential costs to factor in: chicken run enhancement, coop modifications, vet bills, replacing flock. Realistically, expect to invest $1000+ starting out. Ongoing costs range $500-1000 annually.
Is Keeping Backyard Chickens Right for You?
Hopefully this overview has provided a realistic idea of everything involved with starting a small backyard chicken flock. Keep these final thoughts in mind as you consider taking the plunge:
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Be certain you can commit to daily chicken care before getting started. They are dependent on humans for their well-being.
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Check local ordinances to ensure chickens are permitted in your area and follow all guidelines.
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Prepare for some short term discomforts like noise and manure smells until you get systems figured out.
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Anticipate costs and schedule periodic maintenance like coop cleaning and vet visits.
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Understand natural chicken behaviors so you can interpret their communication and interact safely.
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Enjoy the rewarding experience of a sustainable mini-farm! Homegrown eggs are delicious.
Why Should You Raise Chickens?
There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. The eggs are a real temptation—tastier and fresher than any store-bought eggs, and better for baking, too. The shells, along with the chicken poop, can be tossed right into the compost pile.
The birds spend most of the day having fun by eating grass, worms, beetles, and all the good things that go into making farm eggs. Plus, with their keen eye for insect pests, chickens make for great gardening companions.
Remember, though: Nothing good comes easy!
Things to Consider Before Getting Chickens
- First, check your town’s rules to see if keeping chickens is even legal in your area and to see if there are any limits on how many you can have at once. After spending time and money getting ready for chickens, you don’t want to find out you can’t keep them.
- Make sure you have enough room for a chicken coop or a henhouse. For every three hens, it needs to have a place to roost, a nest box, and a feeder and water bowls. A real coop should be big enough that you can stand in it to poop and gather eggs, but a simple henhouse doesn’t have to be that big. Also, any home you build for your chickens needs to be strong enough to keep them safe from outside threats. Here’s how to make a chicken coop in your backyard.
- Chickens need food (and water) daily. Feed costs around $20 for a 50-pound bag at my co-op. Prices may be different where you live and depend on the quality of the feed. Having a lot of chickens will change how long a bag lasts.
- It doesn’t matter what time of year it is—hens will lay eggs all through spring, summer, and fall. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.
- All year ‘round, you’ll have to shovel manure. Yippee!
- While you’re away, you’ll need a trustworthy person to watch your chickens, but they can be hard to find!
Raising Backyard Chickens // Beginners Guide
FAQ
What all do you need to start a chicken coop?
You will need a waterer, feeder, feed, grit , scratch, a roost, nesting boxes, and chicken coop bedding.
How many eggs will 6 chickens lay in a week?
Most of the time, six chickens will lay between 18 and 30 eggs a week, with 24 being the average. This is based on the average hen laying 4-5 eggs per week.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The 90% rule for chickens is a feeding guideline that says 90% of a chicken’s daily food should be complete feed, and the other 10% can be treats.
What supplies do I need for a chicken coop?
These must-have chicken coop supplies include the following:Roosting Bars. Proper temperature control. Engaging toys. Secure run. Reliable feeders and waterers. Balanced chicken feed. Absorbent bedding material. Adequate ventilation.