The Rookie’s Guide to Raising Backyard Chickens: What You Need to Get Started

guide to raising backyard chickens

All across the United States, we’ve seen a massive increase in households looking to raise backyard chickens—and it looks like the numbers will continue to rise. Raising backyard chickens, especially these days is not only practical but can also be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. Your feathery friends will supply you with fresh eggs and meat, and they are great sources of fun and entertainment.

There are more than 1600 chicken breeds in the world. If you don’t know which one is right for you, check this guide to some of the most popular chicken breeds in the US.

run-chicken-breeds

Why Raise Backyard Chickens?

Something that’s been asked numerous times is, “Why should you raise backyard chickens?” 

One of the main reasons people raise backyard chickens is for the abundant supply of eggs they provide. While the reasons for raising chickens can vary from person to person, many people can agree that it is a very practical thing to do, especially in 2023. Egg prices have skyrocketed in the last year throughout the United States–with some states’ prices close to tripling! Prices of eggs in the U.S. range from $4 to $8, with reports of eggs costing close to $10 in Hawaii. 

One hen, on average, lays around 6 eggs a week. Although you have to provide them with food, water, shelter, and care–raising a few backyard chickens can help save you some big bucks as egg prices continue to rise. You may even have such an abundance of eggs that you can sell them or give them away to your friends, family, and neighbors! As a good example, If you are raising 17 laying hens in your backyard flock, you receive about a dozen eggs per day–and this is during the off-season!

What Do You Need to Start Raising Backyard Chickens?

When it comes to raising any animal, their basic needs are shelter, water, food, and air. Before you purchase your chickens and bring them home, you’ll want to be sure that you are prepared. This means having everything that they need in place and ready for their arrival. This is where a lot of beginners feel the most stress; it can be a little hard to figure out all of the things your chickens need to survive. We’ve come up with a list of the basics so you can feel confident that your chickens are coming home to everything they need. 

  • Chicken Coop/Shelter

One of the first things you’ll need to provide for your chickens is shelter. Although chickens are outdoor creatures, they still need shelter for sleep and protection from outdoor elements, such as the wind, rain, and snow. If you plan to start your flock by raising chicks, you’ll need to provide them with a brooder box–a container with high sides–and a heat lamp. Chicks must be kept in the brooder box (preferably indoors) for up to 6 weeks or until their contour feathers come in and they can keep themselves warm. 

A chicken coop is a shelter that chickens live in; you can think of this structure as your chicken’s home. Chickens are not very demanding when it comes to their coop–they basically need a roof, walls, and ventilation. Keep in mind that each chicken needs a minimum of 3 square feet of space in the chicken coop to be happy. The coop’s roof should be waterproof and airtight, and windows or vents can add ventilation. There are many different styles of chicken coops available to purchase or build yourself.  

Add fencing or other material around the outside to ensure your chicken coop is safe and predator-proof. A RUN-CHICKEN automatic coop door is also a great investment if you want to keep your flock safe–it’s weatherproof and made of sturdy aluminum to help keep predators out. It operates via a light sensor as well as a timer. Along with a coop, your chickens will need perches for roosting, nesting boxes for laying eggs, feeders, waters, and access to an outdoor space such as a chicken run, and we’ll talk more about all of that next. 

run-chicken-door-backyard

  • Perches

Chickens sleep on roosts or perches, which are elevated branches, bars, or wood planks that they should be able to grip comfortably. They should be rounded on the edges and about 2 inches wide–depending on the size of your chicken breed. The roosting area should allow for about 8 to 10 inches of roosting space per chicken. They will huddle together for extra warmth on cold nights and stay apart on warm nights. Be sure to keep feeders and waterers away from the perches because they can become soiled through the night. 

  • Nesting Boxes

One of the biggest reasons why raising backyard chickens is becoming so popular is because people want eggs–and eggs are expensive. When raising chickens, you’ll need to provide your hens with nesting boxes. When hens lay eggs, they seek a safe, secluded spot with a good view of their surroundings. RUN-CHICKEN Nesting Boxes are specially designed to be mounted to the wall, giving your chickens the perfect view with the privacy they’re looking for. RUN-CHICKEN Nesting Boxes are made from aluminum, which is long-lasting and durable. They feature a lip to ensure your eggs won’t fall out. A good rule of thumb is to provide one nesting box for every 4-5 hens. Remember to provide some type of bedding in the nesting box, such as hay or straw. Keeping the bedding changed regularly will also help keep your eggs clean.

  • Chicken Run 

A chicken run is an enclosed area that is usually attached to the chicken coop, allowing them access to the outdoors. Chickens need access to the outdoors to forage and stretch their legs. You’ll want to provide about 4 to 5 square feet of space per chicken on the chicken run. Proper fencing is the key to protecting your chickens while out on the run. Poultry netting over the top of the run can be a good way to keep out birds of prey. You can also use a chicken tractor, which is like a chicken run, but it is mobile. It’s a great way to let your chickens forage in grassy areas daily if you can’t allow them to free-range. I like to spread hay or straw throughout the run and the coop to help keep it clean as well. 

  • Feeder and Waterer

Since chickens are outdoor creatures, they’ll need access to fresh food and water throughout the day. So when getting started, you’ll need to provide them with a feeder and waterer. RUN-CHICKEN Indoor Feeder is a great option–it can hold up to 20 lbs of food! This means you’ll spend less time feeding your chickens and more time enjoying their company. It’s made from aluminum, meaning that it’s durable enough to last for years. Its unique gravity-fed design features 3 different holes for your chickens to eat from. 

Chickens need access to fresh, clean water throughout the day as well. Investing in a larger waterer (if you have a larger flock) can help you save time from watering them as often. There are many different types of watering systems out there; I suggest researching to find which one is best for you. 

  • Time

Raising backyard chickens can require a significant amount of time. On a daily basis, your routine will include the following:

  • Opening the coop door in the morning.
  • Checking on the chickens.
  • Refreshing their food and water.
  • Collecting eggs.
  • Ensuring they are safely tucked away when you close the door at night.

This may seem like you should plan on spending all day with your chickens, but with a bit of help, it doesn’t have to be so time-consuming. 

backyard chickens-run-chicken

A great way to save time when raising chickens is to invest in a large-sized feeder and waterer. A RUN-CHICKEN Indoor Feeder can hold up to 20 pounds of food, so you won’t need to spend as much time feeding your chickens. You’ll simply need to check their food when it’s convenient for you. Chickens will peck and roam throughout the day; they are fine tending themselves for the most part as long as they have access to fresh water and food. Once the sun starts to set, it is a chicken’s instinct to return to its home (coop) to roost for the night, and you’ll have to make sure their coop door is closed to keep them safe. RUN-CHICKEN automatic chicken coop doors can be set to open on a timer or use a light sensor to automatically open for you at the first rays of sunlight. This can give you more freedom in the morning–you can even sleep in a little if you’d like or do some other chores. It will also close in the evening as the sun sets (or at a set time) to ensure your chickens are safe and secure for the night. RUN-CHICKEN automatic chicken coop doors are made of sturdy, long-lasting aluminum that will keep your chickens safe from any predators that may be roaming around at night.  

GET 5% OFF AN ALL RUN-CHICKEN PRODUCTS – USE CODE RC5OFF AT CHECKOUT

Conclusion

Raising chickens is very beneficial these days, especially with the high prices of eggs in the United States. One hen can provide you with half a dozen of eggs a week, which could save you a nice amount of money. When getting started, all of the information can be a little overwhelming, so we’ve tried to make it simple for you. The basic list of items you’ll need to start raising chickens includes shelter, a coop and run, nesting boxes, perches, and access to fresh food and water throughout the day. Chicks will need a brooding box with bedding and a heat lamp until they are old enough to keep themselves warm. While there are a few more details, this guide will get you off to the right start as a rookie raising backyard chickens. Do you want to know more? Read tips and tricks for raising backyard chickens.

 

Share this post


Run Chicken
Shopping cart0
There are no products in the cart!
Continue shopping