5 Things to Know Before you get Chickens

Chickens are an amazing addition to a homestead and often one of the first animals people get. In general they are easy to care for and provide delicious eggs for your kitchen. Just like any animal, they do require some specific things to stay safe and healthy.

Below I go into 5 things to know before you get chickens.

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Can you Legally Have Chickens?

This is something that is easy to overlook and is probably the first thing you should check. Depending on where you live and the local zoning, you should determine if you can even have chickens. There may be limits to the number of chickens in towns and cities off whether or not you can have a rooster. In addition to your city, if you live in a neighborhood, it’s worth check your Homeowners Association.

To find out, contact your local health and zoning boards and if there is a homeowner’s association for your neighborhood, contact them to find out if there are additional regulations. Don’t assume that because your neighbors have chickens that you can also have chickens!

Chickens are good for a Small Homestead but STILL Need Space

Chickens make a fantastic addition to small homesteads, providing fresh eggs, natural pest control, and compostable manure. However, they do require sufficient space to thrive. Aim for 3–4 square feet per chicken in the coop and 8–10 square feet in an outdoor run. Adding perches and nesting boxes ensures they have areas to roost and lay eggs comfortably. Good ventilation and regular cleaning are essential in small spaces to keep the coop healthy. Secure fencing or a covered run also protects against predators. With proper space and care, chickens will flourish and bring great benefits to your homestead.

If you skimp on the space for your chickens, it will result in chickens picking on each other and cause more problems!

Chickens Need to be Protected from Predators

Chickens are the perfect food for so many animals.

You can’t simply keep chickens loose in their backyard, they will get eaten quickly. Chickens need a protected area, specifically at night when predators are out. This takes significant work up front to create a coop and run.

Secure the coop and run with strong, predator-proof fencing, and bury it a few inches underground to prevent digging. A covered run can protect against aerial predators like hawks. Lock the coop each night to keep out nocturnal threats like raccoons and foxes. With a secure setup, your chickens can safely enjoy their space without constant risk from predators.

Chickens Need Daily Care

Just like chickens need protection, they also need daily care. Chickens need to be checked every day and provided with fresh water and food. They will also need to be let out of their coop in the morning and closed up safe in the evening. It’s also important to check on your flock’s health by looking for signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or feather loss.

In addition to daily care, clean the coop at least once a week to maintain a healthy environment. Replace bedding, especially in nesting boxes, and clear away droppings to reduce odor and the risk of disease. Chickens are social animals and enjoy consistency, so a daily care routine will keep them happy and productive, rewarding you with fresh eggs and a lively presence on your homestead.

There’s More to Chickens Than Eggs

Chickens offer many benefits beyond providing fresh eggs. They can play an active role in composting, pest control, and even garden maintenance, making them valuable partners on any homestead.

Natural Compost Helpers

Chickens produce a significant amount of nutrient-rich manure, which, when composted properly, can become an excellent organic fertilizer for your garden. Their droppings are high in nitrogen, which helps speed up compost decomposition. By setting up a compost pile where chickens can scratch and forage, you’ll benefit from their natural inclination to turn the compost, which helps aerate and break it down faster. This “chicken-powered compost” can eventually be added to your soil, enriching it and promoting healthier plant growth.

Effective Weed and Pest Control

Chickens love to forage for insects, weeds, and seeds, making them effective at managing pests and unwanted plants. They’ll eagerly scratch up soil to uncover beetles, grubs, and other insects that could otherwise damage your garden plants. Additionally, they’ll munch on weeds and weed seeds, helping to naturally reduce unwanted growth in your yard or garden. By allowing chickens to roam in controlled areas, you can turn them into a natural cleanup crew, reducing the need for pesticides and herbicides.

Tillage for Garden Prep

Chickens are natural tillers, and their scratching behavior helps to break up topsoil and incorporate organic matter into it. If you’re preparing a new garden bed, allowing chickens to scratch and dig in that area can be a great first step. They’ll loosen up compacted soil, eat weed seeds, and add some of their nutrient-rich droppings to the soil. This natural tilling method helps prepare the soil for planting while saving you labor.

Entertainment and Enrichment

Chickens are fun and engaging animals to watch, and their antics can provide daily entertainment. They’re naturally curious and intelligent, forming their own unique personalities and flock dynamics. Their behavior also brings natural energy to your homestead, making it more vibrant and enjoyable.

We’ve loved raising chickens over the years and getting the right start is perfect for raising healthy chickens. Looking for more ideas? Check us out on Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter.