The Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens!

I’m just going to own it; I am a crazy chicken lady. Much like the crazy cat lady who was never happier than when she had 50 cats running around, I am never happier than when I am outside surrounded by my chickens. (And right now I do have 40!!! No joke!) I LOVE CHICKENS!!!! If you hadn’t already figured that out…..and because I love them so much, I get LOTS of questions about them! So today, I wanted to answer some of those questions by sharing my Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens!

First, check all local zoning laws and make sure you can have chickens at all.

Crazy for me to think some of ya’ll have to do that, but it is a necessity for most!

2. Build, or purchase, your coop

• A general rule of thumb is 2-3 square feet of space per chicken in a coop. This is a little different for free range, but if you’re putting them in a traditional coop, this is what you should aim for.

• Make sure it is dry and temperature is VERY IMPORTANT, but ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT if you’re raising from chicks!!
  • 95-100 degrees Farenheit is ideal. Read this detailed article for more info on this.

• This is also super important because if they’re too close together lots of diseases, pecking, and just stress can kill your babies.

3. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment.

• They will need separate food and water troughs.

• To help regulate temperature, some heat lamps may be necessary. We use this one.

4. Get some grub for them!

• Chicks will need a special starter, but after the first 6 weeks, you can switch them to these crumbles and then after they’ve fully matured, I give them pellets.

• I get all of my feed from Rural King!

• Also, give them fresh water DAILY. They’ll muddy it and then drink that nasty water and get a disease.

5. Get your babies!!!

I get all my chicks from our local Rural King!:)

6. Introduce them to their new home:)

7. Prepare yourself for at least one of them to die in the first couple weeks.

• I hate to be a downer, but it just normally happens. 🙁

8. Continue to keep their space dry and relatively clean. I clean out the coop once a month and put down First Saturday Lime.

I hope this Beginner’s Guide to Raising Chickens is helpful! I LOVE my chickens!!! Chickens were the first animal (besides the typical dog and cat) that stole my heart and definitely had a big part in converting me to this hobby farm life. I think if you give them a try (whether you’re an urban chicken gal or a country one like me), they’ll steal your’s, too. 😉