So You Want To Raise Chickens? What You Need To Know Before You Get Chickens

Are you thinking of getting some chickens this spring? That’s a great idea and a lot of fun, but before you get your first baby chick, let’s look at what you need to know before you get chickens so that you can enjoy the journey and not be surprised.

Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

What you need to know before you get chickens

Some things you should know before you dive in:

1. Is your neighborhood chicken-friendly?

Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

Dot your i’s and cross your t’s

Check with your county or HOA to determine if there are any restrictions on owning chickens where you live. Don’t assume that everything is on the up and up because a neighbor has them.

This will avoid unnecessary heartache down the road.

Many HOAs will not allow roosters, so keep that in mind when you are considering whether to buy chicks or older birds.

If you have neighbors nearby, maybe give them a heads up on your plans and assure them there will be many freshly laid eggs in their future. Doing a bit of research and planning upfront will ensure that you start on the right foot.

2. Do your due diligence

Research, research, research

Do your homework BEFORE you bring your birds home. There are many “egg”celent books about raising and caring for chickens and Facebook groups where you can ask questions and build community with chicken owners in your area.

If you can find a local breeder who can become a mentor to you, that is worth its weight in gold. There is so much to learn; the more prepared you are, the better your experience will be.

Books about raising chicken

A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens: Best Breeds, Creating a Home, Care and Handling, Outdoor Fun, Crafts and TreatsThe Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Raise a Happy Backyard FlockMy Chickens Lay Eggs101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and your HensThe Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens: Simple Steps for Healthy, Happy HensBackyard Chickens: A Practical Handbook to Raising Chickens

3. Home sweet home –  prepare a place for your fluffy friends

Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

Make sure you have everything set up BEFORE you bring your birds home. Those little balls of fluff grow faster than you think.

Having your coop and run ready will eliminate stress and panic when transitioning from the brooder to their permanent home.

Also, be sure to fortify your coop against predators. Remember, everybody likes chicken! And not just wild animals, but the neighborhood dogs, too. A robust and well-built coop and sturdy run is your best defense for your feathery friends.

4. Janitorial duties

Chickens require daily care and maintenance.

• They should have access to food and clean water at all times.
• Their coop and run need to be cleaned regularly to ensure the health and happiness of your flock.
• Be prepared… chickens poop ALL THE TIME. You’ll need to have a plan in place for waste disposal. If you can, compost all of the old bedding and droppings. This makes an excellent fertilizer for your garden, and it’s free: a bonus by-product of owning chickens.
• Always remember, a clean environment equals a happy, healthy flock.

5. Gardener’s friend or foe

Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

The short answer to that is both. Chickens can provide a dormant garden with a much-needed soil displacement, especially for those folks focused on Back to Eden, Lasagna, or any no-till gardening method.

Chickens love to scratch and peck and scratch some more. They are really good at it, so they should never be turned loose in your active garden.

Chickens will destroy plants and peck at your prized vegetables.

The same goes for your flower beds. These should be off-limits to your flock during the growing season.

Composted chicken waste and eggshells make a wonderful fertilizer, so save that poop! It’ll come in handy.

6. Chickens are not cheap

Like any animal you commit to caring for, chickens come with necessary expenses. Housing is probably the biggest expense you will encounter upfront.

A well-made, sturdy coop and run will cost a good chunk of change but is worth it in terms of your sanity and reassurance that your flock is always safe and sound.

Other expenses to consider are:

• Feed costs – chickens do eat quite a bit. Especially if they are unable to free-range. 
• Bedding – you’ll need a good supply of fresh bedding on hand as coops require regular cleaning. 
• Medications and supplements – having these items on hand in case illness should arise is good. That way, you are prepared for whatever may arise. 

7. You may need to be your own chicken doctor

Chickens, like any living thing, will fall ill from time to time. Knowing just a bit of first aid and at-home remedies will be highly beneficial if your chickens feel under the weather.

Finding a veterinarian who sees chickens can be difficult as most vets do not learn about them in school. If you do manage to find a vet that sees poultry, be prepared to open up your wallet.

A little knowledge and know-how will go a long way should you need to play nursemaid (this Facebook group has some really good info about keeping and raising chickens). 

8. Where should you buy your chicks

Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

Choices, choices, choices

Always buy from a reputable source. This is, without a doubt, the most important thing to remember when buying your birds. There are several different options when purchasing chicks.

• You can order directly from a hatchery and have your babies sent to you in the mail.
• Local feed and farm stores will have chicks available at certain times of the year, usually in the spring months.
• If you are interested in a specific breed of chicken, there are online breed clubs you can contact to find a breeder in your area.

When considering where to purchase your birds, keep these things in mind.

• Chickens are highly susceptible to disease and illness.
• Buying from a source that takes steps to ensure the safety and health of their birds will ensure that your experience raising chicks is positive and enjoyable.
• Ask questions, do your research, and prepare ahead of time, and you will have an incredible journey with your new little balls of fluff.

So, now that you’re aware of what you need to know before you get chickens, you’re ready for a fun and wild adventure.

When taking on a flock of chickens, there is much to know, but the rewards outweigh the challenges.

Start small, be well informed, and do your research, and you will be rewarded with highly entertaining companions who will also provide you with breakfast. 

Sheri Hayden

+ posts

Sheri Hayden has been raising chickens for over a decade and has gained a wealth of insight into her feathery friends through years of experience and hands-on interaction. She runs Virginia Backyard Chickens, a popular Facebook group about keeping chickens.

• Sheri Hayden

  https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/author/chickenmomma/

  Is it A Hen Or A Rooster? How Do I Know What My Chick Is? (Pictures)
• Sheri Hayden

  https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/author/chickenmomma/

  How To Predator Proof The Chicken Coop And Run
• Sheri Hayden

  https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/author/chickenmomma/

  7 Respiratory Diseases In Chickens And What To Do When Your Chickens Get Them
• Sheri Hayden

  https://www.backyardgardenlover.com/author/chickenmomma/

  Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens: Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

Pin To Save For Later