In this house, we are animal lovin’ fools. I must add, I was also born with a touch of farmer in me. So for years, having backyard chickens has crossed my mind. Every time I would bring it up, I was met with a resounding no. But this girl, she’s a persistent one! I guess I just wore them down until the answer yes {actually, more like an I guess so}.
I spent months researching different breeds and narrowing down what ones I wanted. One day, I just took the plunge and ordered them. I just jumped in blindly with both feet. I kinda roll like that sometimes. I think that might be a quality of mine that drives my Mama nuts.
So, you’re thinking you might want to keep backyard chickens? Have you been doing tons of online research like I did? Once you’ve read all the articles, browsed all the blogs and bought the “backyard chickens for dummies” now it’s time for some just honest, self-learned lessons. Some lessons are just plain painful {and expensive} to learn by experience. So hopefully I can share some info here that will spare you from those.
Just do it. That’s my first piece of advice. Just take the plunge and get them. But first, check your local ordinances and zoning code regulations. I live in the country, so I didn’t really have any I needed to abide by. I know many forbid roosters and some even have a limit on the number you can have. I would also assume if you live somewhere that requires building permits, you might need one to build your coop.
The average chicken has a lifespan of around 10 years. On average, chickens lay productively for the first five years or so, then gradually taper off and may only lay once a year in their old age. That means within a relatively short period of time, you’ll have chickens that aren’t laying at all, but continuing to eat and poop to their heart’s content. Chickens can live up to an average of 10 years (though some may make it to 20 years!), depending on the breed and environment. So be thinking of what you will do with your chickens once they are elderly. I plan to just keep mine as they are now, in the coop with all their chicken friends.
Chickens have to be shut up at night or they will get killed. This summer, we started letting the chickens out to free-range during the day. Once dusk sets in, they go back to the coop and get settled into bed. Thankfully, we haven’t lost any to predators yet. Chickens are basically the snack food of the predator world. Think foxes, raccoons and even hawks like to have a little evening chicken snack. Be sure to lock them in a coop each night.
Oh yes, let’s talk about the pecking order. Even when they are chicks, you will see them chest bumping and stretching their necks out at each other. As they grow older, this “fighting” will continue. They are establishing a pecking order, so don’t freak out. Every coop has one and it’s just natural for them to establish one.
Hens will take a break from laying eggs in the winter months. Generally this is when they lose old feathers and grow new ones. And when they do this (called molting) they will look like the saddest bunch of girls around. The first hen I had molt, I thought she was dying. So prepare yourself for that also.
Chicken math is a real thing. You start out with 8 cute little chicks. Surely that’s enough, right? They grow up, move to the coup and start laying. Then Tractor Supply has chick days. And, I mean, you HAVE to go in there to get supplies. Hearing those sweet little chirps coming from the center isle. There is no possible way to walk past them without looking, unless you’re the scrooge and don’t have a heart! You see those little balls of fluff and instantly, you must. add. to. your. flock. At that point, it’s not even a question. Chicken math has already set in, and there isn’t any going back. Before you know it you have 16 in the coop, 4 in the smaller coop and be getting ready to place your Spring chicken order. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.
Chicken math may also branch out into other birds. Such as pigeons, as we found out last summer. We now have a pigeon named Tim living in our coop. Fairly sure he thinks he’s a chicken, he gets right in there and fights for food with those big girls. He also goes out and free-ranges with the chickens, goes for a big fly around the neighborhood and then comes back to the coop at dusk and settles into his bed for the night. And I have to admit, I think Tim may need a wife. I wonder if this is classified as pigeon math?
There will always be lots of poop. You just have to get use to it and not get skeeved out. One day I tended the chicks before rushing out the door to meet a friend for coffee. In all my rushing, I didn’t realize I somehow had poop on my jeans. Seriously, get ready for chicken poop for days. I’m still baffled at how one little bird can poop so much. Goodness.
Keep water and food bowls clean and free from funny-looking growth {and poop}. You have to clean their water container daily. And as soon as you clean it, they will scratch around and throw nonsense back in it. And usually some jokester will somehow poop in it as well. I’m nearly convinced they do this as a way to drive me insane. But seriously, keep everything clean in the brooder and the coop.
And last but not least, you will talk to your chickens. You will name them and talk to them like they are human. You will have your morning coffee with them. Or wait, that might just be me. You will take selfies with them and Instagram them. You will notice their little personalities, and occasionally try to talk to non-chicken people about them. Those people have no desire to hear your chicken stores and will think you are crazy. These chickens will come running when they hear your voice, and your heart will flutter. They love me, they really love me ♡
