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My First Chickens
I remember the day I purchased my first chickens; I went down to the local Tractor Supply Store and picked out four little balls of fluff. I bought heat lamps, a waterer and feeder, chick starter feed, pine shavings, and a large plastic storage bin to keep them in until they could go outside. The coop, made by a local guy was delivered that week, an 8x4 pine structure with six nesting boxes, a real window, and roosting bars that stretched the width of the house. I spent the next week leveling the ground where the coop would be and making an outdoor pen attached to the coop.
The babies grew quick! Really quick, and by three weeks old they had lost the majority of their fuzziness and their feathers started poking through. I moved them to their coop where they had more space to move around. I kept the heat lamp on and added a second one. I don't think I slept that first night plagued by the "what ifs." What if the power goes out? What if they freeze to death? What if the lamps catch the coop on fire and all I have left in the morning are chicken nuggets? I got out of bed a few times every night in the beginning to check on them. It got to the point where I was probably aggravating them.
The next step involved acclimating the dogs. I had visions of raising free-range chickens. I used to drive by a farm with a couple hundred free range hens. They were guarded by a Great Pyrenees dog who lived with them in the pasture. I knew there was no way I'd convince my pampered pooches to sleep with the chickens, but if we got to the point where at least they didn't want to eat them, that was progress.
It took some time and some scolding, but they caught on quickly. I began to let the chickens wander an hour before sunset each night. The dogs obliged. Most of the time, the hens would return to their coop at dusk and then I'd lock them up for the evening. There was one though, and I've come to learn there usually is, that just doesn't get it. She decided to roost in a small tree along the woods line. Each night I would retrieve her and put her in the coop. She eventually caught on. About four and half months later, a tiny egg appeared in one of the nesting boxes. Then another, and another, until I was collecting four a day. It took a month or so for the size to increase to that of a standard egg. I was officially hooked, naming the ladies after queens, Ann, Catherine, Victoria, and Elizabeth. As the years went by, I added more and an additional coop topping out at forty-three birds. Fresh eggs are a delight, and I could definitely see and taste the difference. I had plenty of laughs along the way as well as tears. Please continue reading for advice on starting your own chicken journey.
Where to Begin
I advise anyone who is interested in raising chickens to start by checking their local ordinances to see if your town allows poultry. You'd be surprised at the number of people who overlook this and then have to scramble to relocate their flock. The next step is to look at coops. There are thousands of ideas on the web if you want to build your own. There are also many local people that can custom build one for you. Just yesterday I saw a beautiful coop on a flatbed going down the highway. Choose your coop wisely as it will be your highest and most important investment in chicken raising. Coops with windows are nice for ventilation especially during warm weather. You want their house to be inviting so they consistently lay eggs in one place. I always advise people to buy locally when you can but if you do not have any options, coops can be ordered online. Here are a few that I like.
(Amazon Link)
Coops with built in runs are super cute and cost effective. However, I don't like them because they are always SO much smaller than you envision. They are also usually built from low quality wood. Nevertheless, they are a great option for someone dipping their toe into chicken raising and not wanting to invest a ton of money. I chose this coop because it's one of the largest online with an attached pen. It is adorable and has plenty of doors for easy access for cleaning and egg gathering. It's labeled for 8-10 chickens, but I strongly advise against putting more than 6 in this space. Crowded chickens are unhappy chickens. A wire mesh to place on the ground under the coop and pen can be purchased in addition. You definitely want something on the ground to prevent them from digging out and predators from digging in. There are plenty of smaller coops available like this. My advice to you is always plan for a larger space than you think you'll need. Many of these advertised coops overexaggerate the number of chickens that can comfortably live in them. Also, you may want to add additional birds once you get your feet wet. A larger coop gives you that flexibility.
(Amazon Link)
If I were to buy a coop online, I would choose this. Besides being super chic, it's made of durable wood and comes in different sizes to house up to 20 birds. It's taller than most making it easier to go inside and clean. It's definitely not inexpensive but if you're serious about raising chickens, quality, longevity, and space are something to consider. I also like the option to build my own pen because it gives me the freedom to make it as large as I'd like. You can also by assembled pens like the one listed below to attach.
(Amazon Link)
I laugh at the picture because it looks like the goose was kicked out for bad behavior.
I never knew these chicken pens existed until recently. They look convenient and can save you a lot of time with not having to build your own pen. They can be attached to a freestanding coop like the one above or be an additional exercise pen when free range is not a safe option. They come in various sizes. I would add mesh wire or logs around the base to prevent digging. I would also add a roosting bar or a couple stumps for them to stand on. If you place it in full sun, you may want to add an additional tarp on the roof for shade.
Purchasing Your First Chickens
Springtime is the best time to buy chicks. Many local feed stores, and Tractor Supply start getting them in by April. You can also have chicks mail ordered to your local post office. That's crazy, isn't it? The advantage of mail ordering chicks is breed-selection. If you're looking for a certain breed, sometimes that's your only option. Be advised though... this is not ideal. Mortality rate is high with day old chicks shipped in the mail and some large hatcheries have been criticized for inhumane treatment. My advice is to do your research about the hatchery before you purchase and be immediately available when the chicks arrive at the post office. Your best option is to buy local. Most feed stores supply a variety of breeds and cross breeds.
When you pick out your chicks, you'll most likely see them listed as a straight run or sexed. It sounds like a weird poker game but it's common chicken lingo. Straight runs are cheaper to buy because the sex has not yet been determined. Therefore, you risk going home with mostly roosters. If you're raising them for meat, this is ideal, but for egg layers choose sexed chicks. I don't recommend roosters for beginners. I'll discuss this in another post.
Breed Selection
If you ever go to a county or state fair and take a stroll through the poultry barn, you'll learn there are countless breeds of chickens. From your basic reddish-brown Rhode Island Red to your wildly comical Polish Crested. Chickens are fun no matter what breed you choose but I advise doing your research. Some breeds are better egg layers than others. Some are better equipped for colder climates. Some are shy in nature. Each breed will lay its own color of egg, with browns and whites the most common. My personal favorite, although not the greatest of egg producers are the Easter Eggers or sometimes called Americanas. They're gorgeous birds that lay a bluish color egg.
The First Two Weeks
The first two weeks of a chick's life are fragile. They must be kept at a temperature around 95 degrees. Red heat lamps are the easiest way to achieve these temperatures. Once the feathers start coming in, you'll notice the chicks do not huddle under the lamp like they used to. You can then introduce them to a larger area with heat and gradually decrease it.
There are several different types of feed available. A chick starter feed is recommended for the first 8 weeks and then you can switch to a layer or grower feed. I like pelleted feeds best for adults better than mash. There is less waste using pellets. Mash feed also tends to be dusty and attracts rodents.
Most feed stores have a chicken supply area where you can buy feed, waterers, heat lamps, and feeders and everything else to spoil your girls.
Free Range or Not
This is a personal choice and will depend on your circumstances. I believe chickens are happiest when they can wander around and look for bugs. I also believe eggs taste better when the chickens laying them are allowed to forage. Your feed prices will also be less if chickens are allowed to forage. However, you will lose some. Everything wants to eat them. Hawks, eagles, coyotes, fox, your neighbor's dog, or maybe even a creepy uncle will prey upon your flock. I make it a point to only let mine free range if I'm going to be home. Remember, most chickens will return to their coop at dusk but not before then. Chickens are not easy to catch especially if you have several. If you let them out of their pen, make sure you're home to close the coop door at dusk when they return. An open coop door at night is a buffet for almost any predator.
Once chickens reach maturity and put on weight, they will not fly well. I bought several steel green stakes and 5 -foot netting at the hardware store and stretched it the length of my property. I did this to keep them from wandering in the neighbor's yard. For the most part it contained them into a two-acre parcel. I also put it around my garden because ripe juicy tomatoes are super fun to peck.
If you're not in an area where you can let them free range, I recommend building or buying a pen large enough for them to wander. Some folks have a coop on wheels with portable fencing. This allows you to safely let them forage in new areas. The larger the area you create for them, the happier they will be.
Day to Day Care
A lot of people will tell you that chickens are messy. Well, so are humans. I am an avid hiker, and I cannot count the number of times I almost stepped in human crap. The fact is, chickens like anything else will need to be cared for. You'll have to clean their coop and nesting boxes. Raking their pen is also advised. I add pine shavings to their coop and each nesting box. You can buy it in blocks at your local feed store. Good hygiene will result in clean eggs and eliminate foul smells in your backyard.
Useful Chicken Facts and Advice
-Chickens cannot see well at night. If you ever need to catch one, wait until dark.
-Chickens like to roost on a perch or something off the ground. This is a survival tactic used because of their poor eyesight at nighttime.
-Everything likes to eat chickens. You need to build them a secure home from top to bottom. Include fencing on the top to protect predators from jumping or flying in and bury fence at the bottom to prevent chickens from digging out and predators from digging in.
-Hawks, eagles, and owls are fierce chicken predators. If your flock is free range, make sure there are plenty of places like small shrubs to hide under in the event of an aerial attack.
-Chickens scratch at the dirt for bugs and worms. It's entertaining to watch them unless they are in your garden. Protect your gardens from them.
-Young hens will lay more eggs than adults. As chickens age, egg production will decrease.
-Egg production is highly dependent upon the breed of chicken you have and the amount of daylight. Egg production will sharply decrease during the winter months when the days are short and resume as the days get longer.
-Heated waterers are a life saver if you live in a cold climate.
-I do not keep a natural light on during the winter months. Many commercial egg producers will give the hens natural lighting in the winter to aid in egg production. I find this creates stress and shortens the lives of my feathered friends.
-If it gets below 10 degrees, I turn on a red heat lamp in the coop to take the chill out of the air. I'm not sure if it's required but they seem to appreciate it.
-Chickens are curious creatures and will wander looking for bugs. Keep this in mind if you have neighbors or live next to a busy road.
-You don't need a rooster for egg production. Hens naturally lay eggs without the aid of a rooster. They are often less stressed especially in confined areas.
-It's true there is a pecking order. Chickens can be vicious to one another. Give them adequate space to get away from each other or you'll end up with bare butt chickens. Pulling each other's tail feathers out is common in confined spaces.
-If a chicken is injured immediately remove it from the flock. Chickens are known for cannibalism and will more than likely kill the injured one.
-Most chickens will go through a molting period every year. It will look like they had a bad hair day. This is a natural process used to purge old feathers and grow new ones. They often do not lay eggs during this period.
-Scratch feed can be used as a daily treat and to train chickens to return if they wander too far off. It can be purchased from any feed store. I throw a few handfuls on the ground and whistle. It doesn't take them long to catch on. They'll associate your whistle or whatever noise you use with treats and come running. It's quite hilarious.
I will tell you there isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh at these creatures. They are an absolute joy to own. Good luck on your chicken farming adventures and please reach out to me with any questions. -Kimberly
😂🐥😂. I love this!!!