10 Things All Homesteaders Need To Know Before Buying Or Raising Chickens!

So, you’re scrolling through Instagram, mesmerized by those dreamy homestead accounts featuring perfectly styled chicken coops, adorable fluffy chicks, and beautiful baskets overflowing with farm-fresh eggs. But before you rush off to your local farm store with visions of morning omelets dancing in your head, let’s talk about what homesteaders must know before buying chickens.

As someone who learned these lessons the hard way (picture me chasing an escaped hen through my neighbor’s prized petunias), I can tell you that some preparation goes a long way!

10 Things Homesteaders Must Know Before Buying And Raising Chickens!

We tell all our homesteading friends that raising chickens is a great way to become more self-sufficient! However, they must also know these ten things before they buy their first bird.

1. Understand Local Regulations

So, you’re ready to jump into chicken parenthood? Hold those dreams of fresh eggs for just a minute! Before picking out adorable chicken names for your feathered friends, you must navigate the oh-so-thrilling world of local regulations.

• Research noise ordinances, as these often affect chicken keeping even when general livestock is permitted.
• Document your compliance efforts and keep permits visible – this helps during potential neighbor disputes.
• If applicable, get written permission from your HOA – verbal agreements aren’t legally binding.

Take it from someone who’s learned the hard way – a quick chat with your local zoning office can save you from a world of headaches (and potentially some awkward conversations with neighbors who aren’t as excited about your 5 AM alarm clock).

2. Choose The Right Breed

Choosing the optimal chicken breed for your homestead is a crucial decision that impacts everything from egg production to meat quality and overall farm sustainability. Different breeds have distinct characteristics—some excel at laying eggs, others are better suited for meat production, and dual-purpose breeds offer both benefits.

• Consider your climate’s extremes, not just averages! Breeds that thrive in summer might suffer in winter.
• Factor in your family’s noise tolerance – some breeds, like Wyandottes, are notably quieter than others.
• Start with pullets rather than chicks for first-timers – they’re more resilient and closer to laying age.

No matter what you do, don’t make the rookie mistake of choosing solely based on looks – that gorgeous Silkie might be Instagram-worthy, but if you’re counting on serious egg production, you might want to go with a more reliable egg-laying breed.

Read More – Our Top 10 Tips For Raising Healthy And Happy Chickens!

3. Coop Design And Maintenance

Let’s talk chicken real estate! Your girls deserve more than just any old shack – think of their coop as their tiny home. And just like any good home, it needs to tick all the right boxes: cozy but not cramped, breezy but not drafty, and secure enough to keep out everything from sneaky raccoons to determined chicken coop foxes.

• Build your coop 25% larger than the minimum requirement – overcrowding is a top reason for failure.
• Install hardware cloth instead of chicken wire – it’s more expensive but predator-proof.
• Try elevating the coop a foot off the ground. This elevation will help keep rodents and other pests out and give your birds more dust-bathing space.

Design your coop with cleaning in mind. Your future self will be grateful for features like removable roosting bars and easy-access nesting boxes.

4. Health And Wellness

Welcome to Chicken Health 101, where you’ll become a part-time veterinarian, nutritionist, and detective all rolled into one! Your chickens won’t be able to tell you, “Hey, I’m not feeling so hot today,” but they’ll show you – if you know what to look for. Is Betty suddenly acting like a couch potato instead of scratching around the yard? Is Henrietta’s comb looking more flamingo pink than fire-engine red? These could be your first clues that something’s amiss.

• Maintaining a clean living space for your hens at all times is the best way to keep them healthy.
• Monitor your hens daily. Look for sudden changes in their diet and appearance, and ensure their eyes appear clear.
• Establish a relationship with a trusted poultry vet so you can call them without fuss if you ever have doubts.

The secret to healthy chickens isn’t complicated. It’s about being observant and proactive. Keep a first-aid kit handy (yes, they make those for poultry!), learn to spot common issues like mites or crop problems, and don’t be afraid to be that chicken parent who checks for chicken bumblefoot daily. Better safe than sorry!

Read More – The 21 Best Garden Crops To Grow As Chicken Food!

5. Feeding And Nutrition

Forget what you’ve heard about chickens eating anything – your backyard flock isn’t a garbage disposal with feathers! While these omnivorous opportunists will happily chase down everything from grasshoppers and ticks to yesterday’s spaghetti, they need a proper diet to keep those golden-yolked eggs coming.

• Calculate feed costs before buying chickens, and don’t lowball your estimate! Quality feed, grit, and treats can cost $15 to 20 bucks per bird monthly.
• Store chicken feed in metal containers – plastic can’t protect against determined rodents.
• Implement grit stations separate from food – chickens need it for proper digestion.

Think of layer feed as their essential “chicken multivitamin” – the foundation of their diet. But here’s where the fun begins – watching your chickens chase down kitchen scraps is better than reality TV! Keep a list of chicken-approved treats handy. And whatever you do, don’t fall for those sweet chicken eyes begging for more scratch grain – it’s like chicken candy, and too much isn’t doing them any favors!

6. Space Requirements

In an ideal setting, chickens require significantly more space than many beginners anticipate. Each standard-sized chicken needs, at minimum, 4 square feet of interior space for the coop to prevent stress, reduce pecking behavior and maintain good health.

The outdoor run should provide at least 10 square feet per bird, though 20 to 25 square feet per chicken is optimal for their well-being and natural foraging behaviors. For a small flock of six chickens, this translates to a coop of at least 24 square feet and a 120 to 150 square feet run.

• Plan for vertical space, too – chickens need at least 8 to 10 inches of roosting bar per bird. Big breeds like Jersey Giants would love even more.
• Try to position your run on a slight slope. Improper drainage leads to many yucky soil-related health issues.
• Would you want to live in a cramped elevator with your best friends? Of course not! Your chickens feel the same way – so give them plenty of space.

And, if you can afford to, give them extra space! A spacious coop and yard promote better flock dynamics, reduce parasite loads in the soil, allow for more natural behaviors like dust bathing and scratching, and ultimately result in healthier, happier birds that are more likely to be productive layers.

Read More – Our Top Ten Chicken Breeds For Small Farms, Ranches, And Homesteads!

7. Social Animals

Your chickens work best in teams. So, a healthy flock dynamic needs at least three to six birds to keep everyone entertained and emotionally fulfilled. Just be prepared for the hilarious pecking order shenanigans that ensue when you introduce new members to the group – it’s like watching the new kid navigate their first day at school!

• Keep an isolation area ready – you’ll need it for injured or bullied birds.
• Maintain backup plans for rehoming aggressive birds – not all personalities mesh.
• Consider age when adding new birds – adding single young birds might lead to bullying. (Add them in groups instead. It makes it less stressful for the newbies.)

Chickens are the original social networkers! Long before Facebook, these feathered friends perfected the art of complex social relationships. Chicken politics would probably make an engaging reality show. They form friendships, have besties, and sometimes engage in drama worthy of a high school cafeteria.

8. Handling And Training

Do you think chickens are birdbrained? Think again! Backyard hens can learn their names, come when called, and even master simple tricks. The only thing they ask for in return is a handful of mealworms or scratch grains. The key is starting early and handling them often. Spend time with your chicks from day one, and you’ll end up with friendly, manageable adults who might follow you around the garden like feathered puppies.

• Start handle-training before feeding each morning – hungry chickens are more motivated.
• Use a consistent whistle or call for treatment – it helps during free-range collection.
• Always reward with their favorite treats – mealworms or black oil sunflower seeds work well for most chickens.

And yes, you can train them to do simple tricks! Nothing beats the look on visitors’ faces when your chickens come running at the sound of your voice. With some creativity, you can even set up enrichment games where chickens drop treats into hanging baskets – a simple activity some keepers playfully call “chicken basketball.” Remember – patience, consistency, and plenty of treats are your secret weapons for training.

Read More – The 21 Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds!

9. Plan For The Long Term

So you’re in love with your chickens now, but what about five years from now? These aren’t just summer flings – chickens are a long-term commitment, potentially living 8 to 10 years or more! You’ll need a game plan for everything from winter care to vacation coverage (yes, chicken sitters are a thing!).

• Budget for replacement birds every 2 to 3 years to maintain consistent egg production.
• Develop relationships with other local chicken keepers for bird-sitting exchanges.
• Keep detailed records of costs and production – helps with future flock planning.

And let’s talk about retirement planning – not yours, theirs! When egg production slows, will your girls become garden helpers and beloved pets, or is there another plan? Having these conversations saves heartache later. Remember, a chicken that’s stopped laying can still be an excellent bug patrol officer and beloved garden companion!

10. Egg Production Cycles

Here’s the truth about egg laying that Instagram won’t tell you. Chickens don’t care about your breakfast schedule! Mother Nature has her plans, meaning egg production will ebb and flow throughout the year. When winter comes and your daily egg count drops faster than autumn leaves, don’t panic – it’s normal!

• Track individual laying patterns – helps identify health issues early.
• Prepare for seasonal molts – production stops entirely during this time.
• Learn egg storage techniques – proper storage extends freshness up to 3 months.

Your girls take a well-deserved break during the shorter days. You could trick them with artificial lighting, but consider working with nature’s rhythm instead. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and those first spring eggs will taste even better after a winter slowdown!

Read More – How To Build A Sturdy Fox-Proof Chicken Coop!

Conclusion

There you have it – your complete guide to chicken keeping served with humor and a healthy dose of reality! Each of these aspects is crucial for successful chicken raising. Understanding them before diving in will make your journey into chicken keeping much more enjoyable. Remember, happy chickens make for happy homesteaders!

What about you?

• Are you going to raise new chickens this year? Let us know what breed!
• Do you have experience raising hens? If so – what advice would you add to our list?
• What’s the funniest or most surprising thing your chickens have done that made you realize how unique they are?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

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