Raising Chickens for Beginners: The Ultimate Backyard Flock Guide
Raising chickens is one of the most rewarding and practical homestead skills. Whether you want farm-fresh eggs, natural fertilizer, or just fun feathery companions, starting your own backyard flock is easier than you think—with the right guidance.
Why Raise Chickens at Home?
Raising chickens provides a sustainable source of eggs, pest control, and fertilizer, all while helping you reconnect with nature and food production. It’s ideal for families, gardeners, off-gridders, and anyone interested in becoming more self-reliant.
Plus, chickens are low-maintenance animals with big personalities, making them fun and educational for both kids and adults.
What You Need to Start Raising Chickens
Before bringing home your birds, make sure you have the following essentials covered:
- Secure coop and run: For shelter and predator protection
- Feeder and waterer: Chickens need fresh water and a consistent food source
- Bedding: Straw, pine shavings, or sand to line the coop floor and nest boxes
- Chicken feed: Appropriate for their age and purpose (starter, grower, layer)
- Grit and calcium: Helps with digestion and strong eggshells
How Many Chickens Should You Start With?
For beginners, 3 to 6 hens is the perfect flock size. It’s manageable, provides plenty of eggs for a small household, and helps chickens maintain a healthy social structure.
Keep in mind that hens are social and should never be kept alone. Roosters are optional—hens will lay eggs without one, though fertilized eggs require a rooster if you plan to hatch chicks.
Choosing the Right Chicken Breed
Some breeds are better for eggs, others for meat, and some do both well. Choose based on your goals.
| Breed | Egg Production | Temperament | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | High (250–300 eggs/year) | Hardy, assertive | Eggs & resilience |
| Buff Orpington | Moderate (200–280 eggs/year) | Gentle, quiet | Families & pets |
| Leghorn | High (300+ eggs/year) | Active, alert | Commercial egg layers |
| Plymouth Rock | Moderate (200–250 eggs/year) | Friendly, curious | Dual-purpose & beginners |
Building or Buying a Chicken Coop
The coop is the heart of your chicken setup—get this part right, and the rest is easy. Your coop should be:
- Secure: Keep out predators like raccoons, foxes, and hawks
- Well-ventilated: Prevent moisture buildup and respiratory issues
- Dry and insulated: Protect birds from extreme weather
- Spacious: Allow at least 2–4 square feet per bird inside the coop
Include roosting bars, nest boxes (one for every 3–4 hens), and easy access for cleaning and egg collection.
What to Feed Chickens
Chickens need a balanced diet of commercial feed, clean water, and occasional treats or kitchen scraps. The type of feed depends on their life stage:
- Starter feed: For chicks (0–6 weeks), high protein (18–20%)
- Grower feed: For pullets (6–20 weeks)
- Layer feed: For laying hens, with added calcium
Supplement with scratch grains, fresh greens, and occasional protein-rich treats like mealworms. Always provide grit (tiny rocks) for digestion and oyster shell or crushed eggshells for calcium.
How to Collect and Store Eggs
Collect eggs daily to keep them clean and avoid breakage or broodiness. Store at room temperature if unwashed or refrigerate if washed. Use within 2–3 weeks for best freshness.
Keep nest boxes filled with clean bedding to reduce dirty eggs and train hens to lay in the proper place.
Common Chicken Behaviors and What They Mean
Chickens communicate through sound and body language. Understanding this helps you keep them healthy and happy.
- Dust bathing: Natural cleaning and parasite control
- Clucking and cackling: Communication and egg-laying song
- Puffing feathers: Cold weather adaptation or broody behavior
- Pecking order fights: Establishing social hierarchy
Observe your birds regularly—you’ll spot health issues or stress early if you know their normal behavior.
Dealing With Common Chicken Health Issues
Prevention is key. A clean coop, quality feed, and regular observation go a long way. Still, common problems include:
- Parasites: Use diatomaceous earth, wood ash, or herbal sprays
- Egg binding: Provide calcium and monitor for signs of strain
- Respiratory illness: Keep coop dry and well-ventilated
- Pecking injuries: Isolate bullied birds and use anti-peck spray
Want natural remedies that actually work?
Get The Doctor’s Book of Survival Home Remedies—an essential resource for treating common poultry and homestead issues without pharmaceuticals. It’s a must-have for chicken keepers who prefer a holistic, natural approach.
Protecting Chickens From Predators
Predators are the #1 threat to backyard chickens. Secure housing and proper fencing are non-negotiable.
- Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire
- Bury fencing 12 inches underground to stop diggers
- Lock up chickens before dusk
- Use motion-activated lights or alarms for nighttime protection
Want to Build a Coop That Lasts?
If you’re handy (or want to be), don’t settle for a flimsy store-bought coop. Build one that’s safe, efficient, and fits your flock’s needs.
Download the Woodworking, DIY, and Survival Blueprint Bundle—with step-by-step plans for coops, rainwater systems, solar heaters, and much more. Designed for homesteaders who want to live smarter and save money.
Conclusion: Raising Chickens Is Simple, Rewarding, and Smart
With a little preparation and the right knowledge, raising chickens is a practical and enjoyable way to feed your family, fertilize your garden, and step into a more self-sufficient life.
- Start small with 3–6 hens and the proper setup
- Choose breeds that match your climate and goals
- Feed and care for them consistently to keep them happy and productive
Grab The Doctor’s Book of Survival Home Remedies to treat your chickens (and your family) naturally.
Start building your coop and homestead essentials today with this powerful DIY plan kit.
It’s time to raise birds—and raise your self-reliance.