Explore nine steps to get started raising chickens for meat or eggs and reap the benefits of enhanced self-sufficiency.
So, you’re ready to stop gawking at all those cute chicks at the local Tractor Supply and take some home — good for you! Chickens are a staple on homesteads and the most popular type of small livestock.
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9 steps to get started with chickens
Let’s explore the steps you should take to get started:
Check your local regulations. Not all areas allow you to raise chickens and those that do may have regulations around how many chickens you can own, whether or not you can have a rooster, and coop placement. They may even restrict whether you can raise chickens for eggs or meat.
Research chicken breeds. Find breeds that are conducive to your environment (e.g., cold hardy, heat tolerant). Learn about breed disposition, egg production, etc. If you’re raising chickens for meat, take into account maturation dates, weights, etc.
Plan your space. Chickens will need a coop and space to scratch and peck. Make sure your space can accommodate both. If you have predators, make sure your chicken run is protected.
Build or buy a coop. This seams like a no-brainer. I mean you've got to have a coop before you start raising chickens. Standard coops can be picked up at your local farm and ranch store, or you could build your own. This depends on your DIY skills, what predators you need to guard against, etc. As for the size of your coop, a general rule is to plan for 2–3 feet per chicken. See how we built our “predator-proof” chicken coop.
Gather your chicken accessories. Okay, this refers to all the tools and equipment you’ll need to raise healthy chickens: feeder, food, waterer, bedding, scratch, grit, and calcium. If you’re buying chicks, you’ll need a trough to raise them in until they’re big enough to put into a coop, a heat lamp, and smaller feeder and waterer to leave in the trough — along with a mesh cover so they don’t fly out of the trough as they mature.
Research chicken foods. This applies not only to commercial chicken feed but also kitchen scraps. There are certain foods your chickens shouldn’t eat, so make sure you know which food to avoid (e.g., chocolate, citrus, and onions).
Learn about chicken health. Keep a reference book on hand about chicken health to consult as needed. Learn about common ailments and how to safeguard your chickens the best way possible against disease and illness.
Buy your chickens! You can purchase hens ready-to-lay or those cute chicks from Tractor Supply (or any other number of places). Hens will produce eggs right away while chicks require more attention and warmth until they mature.
Implement a routine. Chickens thrive on routines. Establish a daily routine for feeding, egg collection, and coop maintenance. Consistency helps to reduce flock stress.
Explore some of our favorite chicken books.
How to start raising chickens — top questions
There are a lot of common questions when it comes to raising chickens. We’ll cover a few top questions here and will continue to provide more content on our site to go into more depth as we can.
What is the best food to feed chickens?
Commercial poultry feed is typically categorized into three main types because chicks have different nutritional needs than layers or meat chickens. These include:
Starter feed. For young chicks up to eight-weeks old, starter feed contains higher protein levels to support growth and development.
Grower feed. From 8 to 20 weeks, grower feed has moderate protein levels for continued growth without excessive fat accumulation.
Layer feed. For mature hens producing eggs, layer feed has a balanced nutrient profile with calcium for strong eggshells.
Supplement your chickens’ diet with fresh vegetables, fruits, and kitchen scraps, but avoid feeding them toxic or sugary foods. Provide grit to aid digestion, and ensure access to clean, fresh water at all times. Free-range chickens can forage for insects and plants, but adjust their feed accordingly.
For meat birds, always check feed labels for nutrient content and choose feeds appropriate to your chickens' life stage and purpose, and consider consulting a poultry nutrition expert for specific dietary recommendations.
What is the best bedding for a chicken coop?
The primary functions of bedding are to provide insulation, absorb moisture, control odor, and make it easier to clean the coop. We’ve tried several chicken bedding options but prefer straw. We find that it keeps the coop fresher, absorbs moisture, and works well with our deep-litter coop. However, people use a variety of materials including:
Straw. It’s inexpensive, readily available, absorbs moisture well, and has good insulative properties.
Wood shavings. Untreated wood shavings or chips are absorbent, easy to spread, and can help control odors. Just be sure to avoid cedar as the cedar aromatic oils can be harmful to chickens.
Hay. Hay is more coarse than straw and less absorbent but can be used in combination with other materials.
Sand. It’s highly absorbent and doesn’t break down like straw or wood shavings. It discourages mites and lice.
Recycled paper. Bedding made from recycled paper can help reduce odors and absorb moisture.
How many chickens should a beginner start with?
Chickens are social animals so it’s always better to have several together to prevent loneliness and stress, but overcrowding leads to other problems, so it’s essential to find the right balance.
For beginners, we recommend about 4–6 chickens. This ensures enough companionship for the birds and can yield a steady supply of eggs for a small family.
Starting with a small flock allows you to gain confidence and experience in chicken care. As you become more comfortable and knowledgeable, you can assess whether you want to expand your flock or pursue other aspects of chicken keeping, such as raising chickens for meat or exploring different breeds.
We started with five chickens, all of different breeds. We quickly learned that each breed has different dispositions, some lay better than others, and some seem to be generally healthier. We've since filled out our flock with specific breeds that do well in our area and have pleasant dispositions.
What do I need for raising chickens?
As we mentioned above, you’ll need some basics: feeder, food, waterer, bedding, scratch, grit, and calcium. If you’re buying chicks, you’ll need a trough, heat lamp, and smaller feeder and waterer to leave in the trough.
When it comes to feeders, we use a treadle feeder. It only allows access to food when chickens put their weight on the treadle. Because treadles have their own food compartment, they eliminate the need to feed every day and they can keep rodents from getting into your food, minimizing waste.
For water, we use a heated 3-gallon bucket with nipples. This keeps the water pretty clean and ensures it doesn’t freeze in wintertime.
If you live in an area where there are a lot of predators, you may need to include a dig barrier around your chicken run, small mesh lining to keep out snakes, a mesh “roof” to protect against aerial threats, and maybe even an electric fence to keep out bigger animals.
Chickens and self-sufficiency
We love raising chickens because it increases our self-sufficiency, helps safeguard us against emergencies, and provides nutritious eggs and meat from well-fed birds.
Having chickens reduces our reliance on store-bought poultry products, lowers grocery bills, and promotes sustainability. Chickens also produce nutrient-rich manure for fertilizing gardens, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. They help control pests and weeds, improving overall garden health.
We love our chicken journey and are excited for you to start on yours!