Chickens 101: A Guide to Raising Chickens in a Small Backyard

Estimated Initial Budget: $350 - $1200. This is a broad estimate and can be significantly lower with DIY options or higher-end setups.

Skills Level Needed: Beginner Suitable

Effort: Once your coop is established, a daily routine is key to a happy flock. Plan on spending about 15-20 minutes in the morning and another 5-10 minutes in the evening.

The morning routine includes letting the chickens out of the coop, providing them with fresh food and water, and doing a quick check to make sure everyone looks healthy. In the evening, you'll simply collect any eggs laid throughout the day and secure your flock in their coop for the night.

While the initial setup is the biggest task, the daily care becomes a peaceful, rewarding habit. Enjoy the fresh eggs and the joy of watching your chickens thrive.

This shopping list is for a starting a flock with 3 - 4 chickens. This is the right size when you are initially starting out, and will give most families plenty of eggs once the hens become daily layers.

The Shopping List:

Coop: This is your chickens' safe haven from predators and the elements. The easiest way for a beginner to start is to buy a coopy with a small run attached. A good coop will include roosting bars and nesting boxes inside the coop. This is where chickens prefer to sleep. A little bit of vocabulary here: the coop is the house where chickens sleep at night and the run is the fenced area where chickens can frolic during the day.

• Estimated Budget: $200 - $800 (for a coop sized for 3-4 chickens)

• Considerations: Ensure it's big enough for the number of chickens you plan to have (at least 4 square feet per bird inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per bird in an attached run, if possible). Look for good ventilation and easy cleaning access. Trays that pull out so you don't have to bend down and clean bird poop is ideal.

• Tractor Supply sells a coop that comes with a run, nesting boxes, and roost bar for $350 (when it's on sale). This will wear easily over time, but it's a great starter coop that lasted us about 4 years.

Feeder: A container for their food that minimizes waste and keeps it dry.

• Estimated Budget: $15 - $40

• Considerations: Choose a size appropriate for a small flock and that will fit inside the run. Options include hanging feeders, gravity feeders, and trough feeders.

Waterer: A clean and consistent source of fresh water is crucial.

• Estimated Budget: $15 - $35

• Considerations: Options include founts, nipples attached to buckets, and poultry waterers. Consider one that's easy to clean and prevents spills. Nipples are great, but you'll have to keep an eye on the chicks or chickens in the beginning to make sure they're accessing the water. Birds are natural peckers, so they usually figure out that pecking the nipples means access to water.

Chick Feed (Starter, Grower, Layer): You'll need different types of feed as your chickens grow.

• Estimated Budget: $20 - $40 per 50-pound bag (will vary based on brand and type)

Feeder Grit: Small insoluble stones that help chickens digest their food.

• Estimated Budget: $10 - $20 per bag

Oyster Shell (for laying hens): Provides extra calcium needed for strong eggshells. Start offering this when your hens begin to lay.

• Estimated Budget: $10 - $15 per bag

Bedding Material: Used in the coop to absorb moisture and make it comfortable. Options include straw, pine shavings, or hemp bedding.

• Estimated Budget: $10 - $25 per bale/bag

Chickens! The cost will vary depending on the breed, age (chicks vs. pullets), and where you purchase them (local breeders, hatcheries, feed stores).

• Estimated Budget: $5 - $30+ per bird

We bought our coop which Tractor Supply sold second-hand. It was had maybe a year of use at the time, but still lasted us another four years after we got it.

Ongoing Efforts (The Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Routine)

Once your flock is settled, consistent care is key to happy and healthy chickens. Here's what your routine will likely look like:

Daily:

• Let them out (if in a coop with a run): In the morning, open the coop door to allow your chickens access to their run for foraging, scratching, and sunshine.

• Provide fresh food and water: Ensure their feeders and waterers are full and clean. Chickens can be messy, so you might need to refill and clean these daily.

• Collect eggs: Check nesting boxes regularly throughout the day, especially in the morning and afternoon. Freshly laid eggs are a delightful reward!

• Quick health check: Observe your chickens for any signs of illness, lethargy, or unusual behavior. Early detection can prevent bigger problems.

• Tidy up (if needed): Remove any obvious messes in the coop or run.

Weekly:

• Clean the coop (spot clean): Remove any soiled bedding and droppings from under the roosting bars and in high-traffic areas. This helps maintain a clean and healthy environment.

• Top up bedding: Add fresh bedding as needed to keep the coop dry and comfortable.

• Check the run security: Ensure your fencing is intact and there are no potential entry points for predators.

• Observe for pests: Check your chickens and their environment for signs of mites, lice, or other parasites.

Monthly (or as needed):

• Deep clean the coop: Remove all bedding, scrub down the interior surfaces (consider using a diluted vinegar solution), and allow it to dry completely before adding fresh bedding.

• Clean feeders and waterers thoroughly: Disinfect them to prevent the spread of bacteria.

• Replenish grit and oyster shell: Ensure these are always available.

• Trim nails if necessary: If your chickens don't have enough access to rough surfaces, their nails may need occasional trimming. Watch some tutorials before attempting this.