A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens for Eggs
Learn everything you need to know to start raising chickens for fresh eggs, from choosing the right breeds to setting up a coop and caring for your flock. Raising chickens is a lot of fun. I’m excited to show you how!
Raising backyard chickens is one of the most rewarding (and fun!) things you can do. Whether you’re in it for the fresh eggs, natural pest control, or just the joy of watching your backyard flock scratch around the yard, getting started the right way is key. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a beginner, from choosing the best chicken breeds to setting up a secure and comfortable coop. Let’s get started!
Why Keep Chickens?
If you’re considering keeping chickens, you’re in for a treat! Raising chickens provides a constant supply of fresh eggs, natural fertilizer from chicken manure, and they help control pests. Plus, they’re just plain fun to have around!
- Fresh Eggs: There’s nothing quite like collecting your own fresh eggs from the backyard. Unlike store-bought eggs, which can be weeks old before they reach your kitchen, backyard eggs are incredibly fresh, packed with nutrients, and often have richer yolks due to a more varied diet.
- Natural Fertilizer from Chicken Manure: Chicken manure is an excellent source of organic fertilizer, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When composted properly, it enhances soil quality and boosts plant growth in your garden, making it a sustainable and earth-friendly benefit of keeping chickens.
- They Help Control Pests: Chickens love to forage for insects, including ticks, beetles, and even small rodents. Allowing your flock to free range in a safe outdoor area reduces the number of pests in your yard, making them a natural and chemical-free pest control solution.
Let me introduce you to the best beginner-friendly chicken breeds to get your flock started.
My Top 3 Chicken Breeds for Beginners
1. Barred Rock
- Why Choose Them? Hardy, friendly, and fantastic egg layers, Barred Rocks are low-maintenance and adapt well to different climates. They are a heritage breed and can be raised for meat as well.
- Egg Production: Around 200-280 brown eggs per year.
- Temperament: Gentle and social, making them perfect for families.
2. Brahma
- Why Choose Them? These gentle giants are cold-hardy, have beautiful feathered feet, and are incredibly docile.
- Egg Production: About 150-200 medium-sized brown eggs annually.
- Temperament: Calm and easygoing, great for beginners.
3. Orpington
- Why Choose Them? Friendly and affectionate, Orpingtons are great for both egg production and meat production.
- Egg Production: Approximately 200-280 large brown eggs per year.
- Temperament: Sweet-natured and easy to handle, ideal for families and small flocks.
Setting Up the Perfect Chicken Coop
Your chickens need a safe place to call home. But don’t stress over the details. You just need to consider a few things and your chickens will be happy. Here’s what to consider:
- Coop Size: Plan for at least 3-4 square feet of floor space per bird inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per bird in an outdoor area. If you’re planning for 3-6 chickens, that means your coop should be at least 9-24 square feet (about 3×3 to 4×6 feet), with an outdoor run of 24-60 square feet (around 5×5 to 6×10 feet).
- Ventilation: Good ventilation prevents moisture buildup and helps keep a healthy environment for your chickens.
- Nesting Boxes: Provide one nesting box per 3-4 egg-laying hens for comfortable egg-laying.
- Roosting Bars: Chickens prefer to sleep off the ground—install sturdy roosting bars. If you live in a cold area, be sure that their feet are completely tucked under their body when they roost. Their toes can get frostbite in Winter if the roost bars are too little.
- Predator Protection: Use hardware cloth (not chicken wire) to keep predators like raccoons and foxes out.
- Food & Water: Keep a clean water source and quality layer feed available at all times.
Raising Baby Chicks
Starting with day-old chicks is a fun and rewarding way to build your flock. However, they require a bit more attention in the first week or two. Here’s what you need to raise chicks:
Essential Supplies for Chicks:
- Brooder Box: A safe, warm space for baby chicks to live in until they’re feathered. You can make one! We made a wooden box the first time, but we also used this inexpensive brooder pen and loved it. It’s so easy to clean and store when you no longer need it. You do not want the baby chicks in your home! Place them in a garage or sheltered place outside like a shed or barn. You can even keep it in your coop if it’s big enough and you have access to electricity.
- Heat Lamp or Brooder Plate: Keeps young chicks warm (around 95°F for the first week, then reduced by 5°F each week). You’ll know if they are cold – they will huddle together and peep loudly! We use this brooder plate and it’s worked so well. It’s also safer than a heat lamp!
- Bedding: We like to use wood pellets for bedding. You can find this in farm stores. Pine shavings are another option. It works well to keep the brooder clean and absorb moisture.
- Chick Feeder & Waterer: You’ll want to find a design to keep food and fresh water clean.
- Chick Starter Feed: High-protein grower feed formulated for baby chicks’ growth and immune systems.
What Chickens Need Every Day: A Simple Routine for Happy Hens
Taking care of chickens is so much fun and very easy, but there are a few things they need every day to stay healthy and happy. Here’s the rundown on what to do daily:
- Fresh Water
Chickens can’t go without water, so make sure they always have a clean, fresh supply. It’s important for hydration, digestion, and overall health. Now, your chickens will also drink rainwater from a hole in the ground, so don’t stress about perfectly clean water. You want to avoid the water getting stagnant and mucky. Give them fresh water daily and check it often in the Summer. - Good Food
Your chickens need the right feed to keep them healthy. Most people feed them layer pellets or crumbles, which provide all the essentials. You can throw in some kitchen scraps as treats (they love veggies!), but steer clear of anything salty, sugary, or spoiled. - Clean Bedding
A cozy and clean place to sleep is a must for chickens. Make sure their bedding is fresh each day to keep their coop nice and dry. It helps prevent any manure or pests from building up and keeps them comfy.
- Outdoor Time
Chickens are natural foragers and love to stretch their legs – watching them run is hilarious! If you can, let them roam outside or give them a big, secure run to enjoy. They’ll be so happy scratching around, pecking at bugs, and getting their daily exercise. - Social Time
Chickens are very social. They will enjoy your visit each day. Check on them to make sure they’re all doing well and the check the coop in case it needs attention. - Collecting Eggs
If you’ve got laying hens, be sure to gather eggs every day. Not only does it keep them fresh, but it also prevents your hens from getting too cozy with their eggs and will encourage them to lay more.
Stick to this simple routine, and your chickens will stay healthy, happy, and busy giving you eggs—and a lot of joy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Raising Chickens for Eggs
How many chickens should I start with?
Most beginners start with 3-6 hens, which provides plenty of eggs and allows for a small, manageable flock.
Do I need a rooster to get eggs?
Nope! Hens lay eggs without a rooster. A rooster is only needed if you want fertilized eggs for hatching.
How often do chickens lay eggs?
It depends on the breed and season, but most hens lay 4-6 eggs per week.
What should I feed my chickens?
A balanced layer feed provides all the nutrients they need. You can also supplement with oyster shells for calcium, kitchen scraps, fruits, veggies, and occasional treats like mealworms.
How do I keep my chickens safe from predators?
Secure your coop with hardware cloth, lock doors at night, and consider adding a covered chicken run to keep wild birds and other predators away.
Can I let my chickens free range?
Yes! Free-ranging is a good idea if you have a safe outdoor area. It allows your chickens to forage naturally, but be mindful of predators.
What should I do in the winter months?
Chickens are hardy, but in cold winters, provide protection from the wind and a place to shelter. Also, ensure access to warm water, extra bedding, and a well-insulated coop.
With the right breed of chicken and a well-prepared coop, you’ll have a happy, thriving backyard flock in no time! You have everything you need in: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens for Eggs—so get started today!
We also raised meat chickens! You can read more about our first time raising meat chickens, here.
Have any chicken-keeping questions? Drop them in the comments below. I hope you enjoy your flock as much as we do!
