Chicken Basics
We have had chickens for just over a year now and boy have we learned a lot. So many times when people hear we have chickens, we have a 20 minute conversation full of questions as they have wanted to get their own backyard flock but have been too scared to give it a go. The first thing I always say is "CHICKENS ARE THE BEST!" The second is they are not as much work as they seem. I truly love having chickens. They bring me such joy and stress relief so I don’t find them to be a lot of work, but some might. I am going to lay out the basics you need to know before you take the leap to start your own backyard flock.
COOP
This is where your chickens are going to sleep and lay their eggs. There are so many pre-made options from Tractor Supply, Facebook marketplace, you can build your own or convert an existing shed, your choices are unlimited. Whatever option you choose, your coop needs to have roosts, nesting boxes, ventilation and the right bedding.
Roosts- This is where your chickens will sleep. They are usually wooden bars or sturdy branches that are off the ground and higher up in the coop. Do not put anything underneath the roosts as chickens poop all night long.
Nesting boxes- This is where your chickens will lay their eggs. You want to have at least 1 for every 2 chickens. They should be cozy so your chickens feel safe to lay their eggs. You can use anything that is about 1 foot diameter, preferably with sides and a roof. Check out my favorite ideas on Pinterest.
Ventilation- You need to ensure your coop has proper air flow. Chicken poop breaks down and releases ammonia which can be harmful to you and your flock. You do not need to test your air all the time, if your coop is starting to smell then you need to clean more regularly or install a fan. Ammonia will burn your nose, if this happens you know you need to fix the issue immediately.
Bedding- This is very important to absorb the moisture of the poop and to provide additional warmth in the cold months. We like to use straw as it composts really easy, very absorbent and provides the most warmth. But we also add a mix of pine needles that fall from our trees in the front yard. Pine needles can be a good addition as they are super absorbent and provide a natural smell to freshen the air. Chickens are great composters, so whatever you choose can be added to your compost pile or put into your garden!
RUN
This is where your chickens are going to roam around during the day and forage for food. Before you decide to let them roam around your entire backyard, I want to be clear that they will rip up the grass looking for bugs and they poop a lot! So a dedicated area is probably the best option. Make sure they have a good amount of space, we currently have around 50 square feet per chicken plus they get let out into the field at least once a day. The bigger the space the happier and healthier the flock.
The Run
We have improved the existing run on the property with netting over top and secured the bottom fencing with bricks as it was not dug into the ground. It is safe for now until we build an entire new coop and run
CLEANING
You need to clean the coop out about once a week in the summer and once a month in the winter. Remove the soiled bedding on the ground and in your nesting boxes. This “waste” makes amazing compost, so start your own pile or put it in a bag for vegetation pick up if your local town offers it. Once a month I like to sprinkle lime as my first layer on the ground, it deters pests, natural antibacterial, reduces smell and moisture. Then replace your bedding to fill the coop floor and nesting boxes. In winter months increase the amount of bedding in the coop to keep your flock warm, their poop will breakdown and release some heat which also helps.
FOOD
Chickens, especially egg layers, need to have protein, so you want to choose a 16%+ egg layer pellet or crumbles. This will be their main food to eat daily. You also want to give them grit, which is essentially rocks, to help with digestion and oyster shells for calcium to strengthen their egg shells. We get local corn from a farm stand down the road and add the corn to our pellets daily. Then for an added treat we mix worms and scratch and sprinkle it on the ground for them to pick at. Chickens also love vegetables and fruit. We keep a bucket in the kitchen to collect any kitchen scraps from cooking or left over on our plates. You know when your kid takes one bite of their broccoli, the chickens get that the next day. We only give them plain veggies or fruit that do not have any added spices, oil or anything on it, just raw or boiled vegetables and fruit.
Our Favorite Food:
Natures Best Organic 16% Egg Layer Pellets
EGGS
On average chickens lay 5 eggs a week (it depends on your breed, but use this as an approximate). More daylight equals more egg production so you will get less eggs in the winter time. Farm fresh eggs should be collected daily and can be stored on the counter for 2 weeks. If you prefer your eggs in the refrigerator they can last up to 3 months. Wash before eating and enjoy the beautiful bright yolk!
And that’s it! You now know exactly what you need to take care of your chickens. So now you can decide how many chickens you want, they need to be a “flock” so you need to have at least 2! Happy Chickening!
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All product and material recommendations are by personal experience, they work for us and our chickens.
