23 Experts Share Their #1 Tip for First-Time Chicken Owners
You’re curious about raising backyard chickens
You’d love to have you lil’ backyard farm
But you’re not sure what to watch out for.
Well, I had the privilege to connect with 23 experts who share their #1 tip for first-time chicken owners.
An overwhelming majority of experts remind us to not underestimate predators. You want your chicken coop and run to be predator proof.
Other considerations include long-term planning for your flock once they stop laying eggs, planning for unwanted roosters, the importance of practicing hygiene, using a thermometer for temperature control, taking the time to prepare for the arrival of your baby chicks and much much more.
So let’s look at 23 awesome expert tips for first-time chicken owners.
1 . Milkwood
“Use your chickens to make compost. Chickens are happiest when they have a deep layer of material to scratch around in, by creating a deep litter chicken run you can keep your chickens healthy, happy and entertained and get amazing compost for your garden at the same time. Maintain a 1 foot (30cm) deep layer of loose carbon material by adding dry leaves, straw, wood shavings, wood chips, chipped prunings & weeds from the garden to the bottom of your chicken yard. Once you have the layer established you can feed your chickens scraps or a mix of grains directly onto the deep litter. This will encourage worms, insects and get your chickens really scratching keeping the deep litter aerated and decomposing. Once a season you can harvest everything to make an instant compost pile. Let it rest for a few months before spreading on your garden. Repeat the process each year for happy chickens and healthy gardens.” – Nick
2. Fresh Eggs Daily
“Don’t underestimate predators. No matter where you live – out in the country, within the city limits, in a suburban neighborhood – there are predators. Most hunt under cover of darkness, but many are out at dusk and dawn, and others, such as hawks, eagles, fox and dogs hunt by day. They all will take advantage of a free chicken dinner if you don’t keep your chickens safe, either in a secure run or with a dedicated livestock guardian animal. Believe it or not, pet dogs are the #1 killer of backyard chickens. Never ever underestimate the threat to your flock.” – Lisa
3. Murray McMurray Hatchery
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/
“Don’t overthink it. Heat, water, food, and space are all you need to get started. Chickens are easier than a cat and more rewarding. Cats won’t make you breakfast. Just minutes a day is all they require. Just like all animals they need clean water, a bit of space to run and somewhere safe to rest. That’s about it. For the first few weeks they need a heat source close to 90 degrees. Chickens have a body temp of around 105, and while 90 is hot to you and I, it’s perfect for chicks. After that let the fun and curiosity begin. One more note, as Calvin used to say “Nothing ruins fun like finding out it builds character.” So, don’t tell your kids but taking care of chickens is a great way to teach responsibility and they wont even realized it.” – Team Murray McMurray Hatchery
4. Purely Poultry
https://www.purelypoultry.com/
“Lock your birds up at night. Free-ranging means that you do not have protection from predators and predators do like the taste of chickens. There are great automated chicken coop doors on the market that will do it for you. If you do not secure your coop at night, do not be surprised that predators will enter the coop. If you do have losses, there is usually a way to discover what type of animal it was so you know how to fix your coop set-up to be more secure. Motion lights or Nite Eyes Solar Protection Systems placed on or around your coop can help scare predators away.” – Tyler
5. Cackle Hatchery
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/
“Having a game plan for unwanted roosters, even if you order baby chick females it is only about 90% accurate. So are you going to keep one, or maybe find a home for the potential extra roosters or is the plan to put them in the stew pot. The best bet is to buy the Cackle Hatchery Black Sex Link females, they are about 99% accurate on gender selection” – Jeff
6. Sand Hill Preservation
http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/
“There are so many things that need to be said for first-timers. I think the question I answer the most or have the most phone conversation about is the understanding that babies need clean water. Check the inside of the waterer and scrub it out at least every other day. I always like to say if you were thirsty would you want to drink out of it when you fill it? Most baby problems come from critters in the water. “ – Glenn
7. Townline Hatchery
“I would say that the #1 tip for first time chicken owners would be to have things ready for your new chicks when you bring them home. Have your brooder set up, make sure you have a thermometer in there and that it is reading 95 degrees down under the heat lamp where your chicks will be. Have water ready for your chicks. Too many times we get calls in which new or first time chick owners do not know the temperature of their brooders. They think that because they are inside and their barn is warm, that it is warm enough for the chicks. The chicks tend to make a “doughnut” around the heat lamp when comfortable, and will move in and out from under it as needed. We have found that dehydration and incorrect brooder temperature are the number one cause for mortality for starting baby chicks. The other most important factor is understanding the risks involved when raising or handling chicks. All livestock carries the potential to carry disease that can be transferred to humans and chickens are known for carrying Salmonella. Washing your hands after handling chicks or chickens is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. For more information on disease prevention and safe handling practices.” – Bob
8. Stromberg’s Hatchery
https://www.strombergschickens.com/
“My biggest tip to new chicken owners is do your research! Read online forums, talk to a friend or neighbor, buy a book on raising birds or call a hatchery to talk with an expert. I find that the most positive experiences in raising birds starts with good preparation. Proper waterers, feeders, pens, and coops is how you make the experience fun and successful. Think about the space that you have, how many birds you think you can handle, what you want the birds for(eggs/meat), and then prepare the coop/run for them BEFORE you purchase. If you have all of the proper supplies and a space prepared; caring for your chickens will take you less than 10 minutes a day and will be a rewarding experience!” – Laura
9. eFOWL
“User a thermometer when brooding your chicks. Temperature is such a critical factor during the egg incubation / brooding process, yet so many first timers neglect it entirely and don’t understand the relatively small margin for error. Make sure that your chicks are at the recommended temperature for their age for the first few weeks of life. Observe their behavior and adjust the temperature accordingly by raising or lowering the heating lamp.” – Austin
10. Rivertown feed
“My number one tip to any potential chicken owner is to practice impeccable hygiene. Wash your hands, clothes, shoes, everything frequently as chickens carry a lot of different bacteria and diseases. With proper hygiene everyone can live in harmony together. Don’t and you will be spending some time sick as can be from a stomach bug.” – Kendra
11. White Mountains Ranch
http://www.whitemountainsranch.org/
“Make sure you have all infrastructure in BEFORE acquiring chickens or chicks. Brooders, cages, feeders & waterers, etc. And most importantly, make sure your outdoor coop is completely predator proof before moving your chooks into it.” – Cari
12. Sampat Farms
“Pay attention to their body language because they will communicate if they are in stress or danger. For instance, if there is no fresh water, no food or a predator, the flock will collectively make loud sounds. This sound is different from the individual sounds hens make after laying an egg.” – Jinal
13. Chicken Scratch Poultry
http://www.chickenscratchpoultry.com/
“When setting up your coop it should be completely predator proof with an automatic door. I have many heartbroken repeat customers due to predators. Angie” – Larry
14. Eugene Backyard Farmer
http://eugenebackyardfarmer.com/
I have heard customers say so many times, “I have raised children, dogs, cats, and all sorts of other creatures. So why am I so intimidated by a chicken?” My #1 tip for first-time chicken owners is to take the process in baby steps. If you are raising chickens from chicks, start with a number that is not overwhelming and once you see how easy they are, you can add to your flock in subsequent years. Yes, chickens can be delicate but they are also incredibly hardy. Also, do not forget to lock them up at night. That one night when you open a bottle of wine, watch some Netflix, then fall asleep on the couch is the one night a predator will want to visit your coop.” – Bill
15. Freedom Ranger Hatchery
https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.com/
Make sure you buy your stock from MG and MS clean hatchery. Once you have MG or MS it is very difficult to rid your flock from Mycoplasmas. – Arthur
16. Chicken Hill Poultry
http://www.chickenhillpoultry.com/
“Become educated in the care, housing, and feed of your feathered friends. We hear so many sad ending stories that could have been prevented by becoming knowledgeable on poultry basics. We suggest folks read, “Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens” and “The Chicken Health Handbook” Both written by Gail Damerow. Both these books are packed with valuable information that will keep poultry living at their optimal for many rewarding years. It’s much better to be proactive than reactive. A live and learn situation usually ends up in cruelty or worse to the birds.” – Tisha
17. Whiffletree Farm
http://www.whiffletreefarmva.com/
“Make your house mobile and move it often. And therefore, make it light. Everyone always overbuilds their first house. I did too.” – Jesse
18. Checkmate Farm
“If your Mother Hen hatches the chicks, move mother and babies to an enclosed location. We use a horse stall. No heat lamp needed, Regular clean up not needed. We provide food and water. So easy. Hatchery chicks: Order the green grow jell. It gives the chicks a good head start! Drinking water: we put sparkle marbles in water dish for chicks to peck at and learn to drink water. We use the nipple waterers. We hang plastic color chains with clips at the chick’s height. Water stays clean. We move the waterer up as they grow.” – Kathy
19. Blue Star Ranch
http://www.bluestar-ranch.com/
“There are so many things to know when getting started. There should be the top 3 things! But one thing is buy or build the BEST coop that you can afford. Build the coop 3x bigger than you think that you need and 3x stronger for predators protection. Most people need to know that you should NOT use chicken wire in a chicken coop as it’s not predator proof. Also, if people want 3 chickens they will love them so much that after awhile they wish the coop was bigger…. So think about it as big as you Think you will need… then 3 x the size when building… You won’t be sorry! Then you can have the other chickens that you will want.” – Mary
20. Dare 2 Dream Farms
https://www.dare2dreamfarms.com/
“From our blog, the #1 tip we can give to chicken keepers just getting started is: Choose wisely when deciding on the number of chickens you’ll get. First, check with your city ordinances to find out if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep. Next, determine the maximum number of chickens you can keep based on the size of your chicken coop. Chickens, like most living beings, need personal space and some freedom to move about. If you pack too many hens into a small area, you’re asking for heavy cleaning and loads of bickering (or worse), somewhat like taking kids for a long car ride! You can generally assume that about 10 square feet per chicken should be sufficient, less if you plan to free range them outside the coop. Lastly, determine how many eggs your household will reasonably use, sell, barter, or give away. On average, a good laying hen will give you 5 eggs per week.” – Megan
21. Holly Springs Farm
“My #1 tip would be to have good fences and put the chickens up at night to protect them from predators. :-)” – Peggy
22. Split Rail Family Farms
http://splitrailfamilyfarms.com/
“Make a run that is secure and predator proof that the chickens can use during the day. Even if you plan on giving your chickens a larger space during most days, it is nice to have the option to keep your chickens safe and fully enclosed on days that you may not be home in time to lock them in at night.” – Jane
23 . Good Life Permaculture
http://goodlifepermaculture.com.au/
“So my number 1 tip would be that if you’re going to own chickens is to make sure you know what your long-term plan is for them once they stop laying eggs. For some people this involves killing them for meat. For others it means making sure they have enough space on their property so the older hens can happily live out their lives while you bring in new layers.” – Hannah
Do you have a favorite tip? If so, let me know in the comments section below.