How to Raise Healthy, Productive Backyard Chickens
Red chickens in a chicken coop and run
A Frugal Homesteader's Guide to Raising Healthy Eggs and Meat—in your own backyard!
Raising chickens isn’t just for homesteading veterans or those living off the grid. If you're looking to add a bit of sustainability to your homestead, or even a young woman trying to take charge of your family's nutrition, backyard chickens are an excellent place to start. With a little bit of creativity, patience, and understanding of how nature works, you can have a healthy, productive flock in no time. No need to rely on big government or the grocery store – just the basics and a little of good ol' elbow grease.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials of raising backyard chickens in a way that’s both practical and nourishing for your family. If you’re looking for ways to raise chickens that keep your family healthy and your wallet full, this is for you.
1. Why Raise Chickens?
Before we dive into the how-tos, let’s establish why you might want to raise chickens in your backyard. Beyond the obvious benefit of fresh eggs (a true luxury that should never be taken for granted), chickens are incredibly versatile. You’ll have access to nutrient-dense eggs, the ability to compost kitchen scraps, garden gold from such rich compost, and even delicious meat when you need it. And all this can be achieved without your monthly grocery bill skyrocketing.
Benefits of Raising Chickens:
Nutrient-rich eggs: Store-bought eggs don’t even come close. Home-raised eggs from chickens eating natural, varied diets offer vitamins, omega-3s, and are higher in antioxidants. The bright, sunny homegrown yokes make the store’s pale yolks look sickly.
Fertilizer: Chicken manure is gold for your garden. When properly composted, it’s an excellent fertilizer, full of nutrients.
Insect control: Chickens love to scratch and peck at the ground, keeping pests in check. You might not want them free-ranging full time due to predators or just not wanting your porch covered in chicken poo, but if you let them out in the evenings like we do, they’ll feast on the bugs!
Meat: If you ever find yourself in need, chickens are also a reliable source of meat, and they don’t require a huge amount of space. You could think of them as feathered food storage until you need or want to harvest!
2. The Basics of Raising Chickens
Raising chickens isn’t as hard as it might sound – they’re surprisingly self-sufficient, especially when you provide them with a proper setup and an environment that caters to their needs. Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide to get you started.
a) Coop Setup
First things first, you need a chicken coop. Don’t be intimidated by the fancy Pinterest-worthy coops out there – you don’t need to spend a fortune. You can build one yourself with basic materials, or even repurpose an old shed, barn, or large doghouse. Your coop needs to be dry, secure from predators, and well-ventilated.
Space: Chickens need at least 2-3 square feet per bird inside the coop. If they’re going to be outside in a run, they need 8-10 square feet per bird in the run. The more space, the better, but don’t go overboard. Chickens are happiest when they can scratch the ground and take dust baths.
Perches and Nesting Boxes: Chickens like to perch at night. Provide them with simple wooden perches that they can roost on. Nesting boxes for egg-laying should be about 12x12 inches, and you should have one for every 3-4 hens. (But don’t be surprised if they fight like kids to all use the same nesting box!) You can fill them with straw or wood shavings, which keeps the eggs clean. You can also consider a roll-off design, so the eggs roll into a protected collection area for easy gathering and no risk of egg-eating.
Predator-proofing: Make sure the coop is securely locked at night and the run has a secure roof and buried fencing to keep out predators like raccoons, foxes, and even neighborhood dogs.
b) Choosing the Right Breed
Choosing the right breed is crucial for your success. Different breeds have different personalities and egg-laying capabilities, so pick one that matches your needs and lifestyle. Here are a few reliable options:
Rhode Island Reds: Hardy, friendly, and productive. These girls lay a lot of eggs and are good in all climates. Our flock is probably 75% Rhode Island Red. Brown eggs, ~180-200/year. Mature for meat harvest at 18 weeks.
Barred Plymouth Rocks: Great for beginners. They’re gentle, easy to handle, and make excellent layers. Brownish pink eggs, ~200-220/year. Mature for meat harvest at 12 weeks.
Leghorns: If you want maximum egg production and don’t mind a more active bird, Leghorns are a solid choice. White eggs, ~250-300/year. Certainly edible, but not generally raised for meat due to their small size.
Orpingtons: Known for their sweet nature and consistent laying, these birds are great for families. Light brown eggs, ~200-280/year. Mature for meat harvest at 22 weeks.
c) Feeding Your Chickens
Chickens are omnivores, and their diet should consist of a good mix of grains, protein, and greens. You can buy pre-mixed feed from a local supplier (check to see if it's non-GMO or organic), or you can supplement with your own kitchen scraps. Chickens are not picky – they’ll eat things like veggie scraps, leftover rice, and even certain types of meat.
What not to feed chickens:
Avoid giving chickens uncooked beans, uncooked potatoes, garlic and onion (unless those flavors in your eggs are fine for a period—not for baking), and citrus.
In addition to grains and scraps, chickens need access to fresh water every day. You can use a simple waterer or a more automated system if you prefer. Just keep it clean to avoid attracting bacteria. If you need to keep your water from freezing, consider an old thrift store crockpot, or a bottle of salt water in their waterer so the temp won’t freeze. Just know that chickens love to poop everywhere, and if they can poop in their water, they absolutely will.
d) Health and Care
Just like you care for your family’s health, you need to care for your chickens. Here’s what you need to know:
Cleanliness: A dirty coop can lead to disease. Regularly clean out bedding, remove any old food, and sanitize waterers to prevent illness.
Parasite Control: Chickens are prone to lice and mites, so check them regularly. Natural remedies like diatomaceous earth (DE) or garlic in their feed can help prevent infestations. We add DE, chili powder or crushed red pepper, and oregano to our feed as natural parasite protection. Fun fact: chickens can’t tell if food is spicy—they don’t have spiciness receptors!
Egg-Laying: Healthy hens will lay consistently, especially during spring and summer. If they’re not laying, it might be due to stress, poor nutrition, or old age. If your hens are molting, it’s normal for egg production to slow down. Pump the protein snacks, like bugs or dried mealworm treats, when molting to help the new feathers come in.
3. Maximizing Productivity
Once you’ve got your chickens settled in, it’s time to focus on maximizing their productivity. Here are a few tips to keep things running smoothly.
Pasture Rotation: Following the wisdom of Joel Salatin, let your chickens graze in different parts of the yard. By rotating their pasture, you ensure they have fresh grass and bugs to eat, and you help keep the soil healthy. This practice also prevents the buildup of parasites and reduces the need for additional feed.
Feeding for Egg Quality: Add oyster shell or crushed eggshells to their diet to ensure strong, nutritious eggs. The more natural foods they eat, the more nutritious their eggs will be. We rinse and bake our chicken eggshells (10 min at 300), then crumble them up after they cool to give back to the chickens as their own calcium supplement. And I save a jar or two of eggshells for planting tomatoes too!
Encourage Natural Behavior: Chickens need to be chickens. Give them space to scratch, peck, and dust-bathe. These activities not only make them happy, but they also help with digestion and pest control.
4. Making the Most of Your Flock
Don’t stop at eggs – there’s so much more you can do with your chickens. Consider incorporating them into your garden as natural composters, and maybe even raise a few for meat. You’ll find that when you treat your chickens right, they’ll provide for your family in multiple ways, all without the middleman of the grocery store. Some families keep chickens just because of the amazing nitrogen-packed compost they create for gardens. It breaks down quickly, and the straw or chips used to line the bottom of coops helps the carbon-nitrogen ratio—it’s all compostable!
One new method we’re considering trying this year, is to incorporate guinea hens how American Homestead does—for tick protection! This is the video that inspired our plans.
I also plan to build a sort of jungle gym for their chicken run to play and roost in more places while they’re in their compost-making mode; confined/predator-protected mode: compost-making, and free-ranging: bug control.
If you’re like me, you’re not looking to break the bank just to feed your family. Thankfully, chickens are frugal friends. Here are some tips for keeping costs low:
DIY chicken feed: If you’re not raising your own grains, check out local farmers for cheap bulk feed. You can also sprout grains at home to save on costs. We buy bulk bags and mix up our own blend rather than buying ‘chicken feed.’
Upcycled materials: Use pallets, scrap wood, and old fencing to build your coop and run. You can also find chicken supplies at thrift stores.
Homemade treats: Make your own chicken treats like leftover bread crumbs, garden scraps, or even mealworms if you want to get fancy. Whatever you’re eating, they’ll happily help you with clean up duty!
Conclusion
Raising backyard chickens is a rewarding, frugal, and empowering way to improve your family’s health and sustainability. Whether you’re after fresh eggs, pest control, or the satisfaction of raising your own food, chickens can be a valuable asset to your homestead. With a little creativity, a pinch of patience, and a respect for nature’s rhythms, you can enjoy a healthy, productive flock that supports your family’s well-being for years to come. Don’t overthink it – just get started with a coop and some predator protection, and let the chickens teach you the rest.