23 Backyard Chickens for Beginners Tips! {Raising Chickens 101}

These Backyard Chickens for Beginners Tips and Hacks will have you up to speed and raising your own chickens in a jiffy!

Have you been thinking about raising your own chickens? You’ve just hit the jackpot of tried and true Backyard Chickens for Beginners Tips! Whether you’re new to the farm, are starting out on your Homesteading adventure, or have just been itchin’ to pick up some chicks… you’ve come to the right place!

Seriously… who wouldn’t want farm fresh eggs, healthy meat, and fluffy little friends? Raising chickens can be so much fun!

Now if you’re raising chickens just for egg production, what you don’t eat you could even sell! A little extra income is always nice!

Are you ready for Raising Chickens 101? Read on for some fabulous tips shared by your fellow chicken lovin’ frugal friends!

Let’s get started with some Backyard Chickens for Beginners Insider tips!

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Backyard Chickens for Beginners

Where Can I Buy Chickens?

Shelley writes: “Before you get chickens, check your town codes. Some places do not allow them.”

Chicken Tip: Once you know your city / county allow chickens, you’re good to go!

Baby Chick Tip:

Did you know you can buy baby chicks online from Tractor Supply?
Go here to TractorSupply.com
Search ‘Baby Chicks’ in the search bar, and just select the chicks!

Amy writes: “If you are buying babies, pay extra to know they are hens so you do not start with all roosters!”

How to Hold Baby Chicks:

Melissa writes: “Pick them up from the bottom, not the top. Predators pick them up from the top and they will freak out!! Baby chicks will be skittish at first, but pick them up and hold them close to your chest or neck and talk softly to them. Cup your hands around them, they will feel safe and fall asleep!”

What Kind of Chickens Should I Get?

Chicken Tip: Keep in mind… different breeds have different purposes.

For Egg Production, consider:

White Leghorns
Rhode Island Reds
Golden Comets
Ameraucanas

For Meat Production, consider:

Cornish Cross
Bresse Chickens

For Fun and Pretty Pets, consider:

Silkies
Bantams

Melissa writes: “I have 14 chickens: Buff Orpingtons, Bantams, Cinnamon Queens, Leghorns, and Baby Comets. Below is our only feather footed baby…” Talk about cuteness overload!!

Amy writes: “White leghorns have the lightest bones – you have to clip their wings so they do not fly.” Below is a photo of her white leghorn… talk about CUTE!!

Do I Need to Keep a Rooster With My Backyard Hens?

Amy writes: “You do NOT need a rooster to get farm fresh eggs!”

Chicken Tip: If you’re interested in breeding, at that point you’ll need a rooster. If you just want farm fresh eggs, the hens will lay fabulous eggs, however they will just not develop into chicks.

Christy writes: “This picture below was meet the family day.. our little guys got to meet the older ones for the first time face to face.”

Baby Chick Care:

Melissa writes:

1) For starter brooders, you’ll need Cardboard Boxes and Plastic Bins. Place Pine Shavings in the brooder… they absorb and are safe.

2) Use a heat source, as babies have to be kept very warm.

3) Watch out for pasty butt… this can kill baby chicks! You can clean it off by dipping their butts in warm water and gently massaging the poop off with a wet wipe or paper towel.”

Pictured below are Melissa’s sweet Bantam Chicks…

Pine Shaving for Chickens

Check out this DIY Chick Pen Melissa created below…

What You’ll Need:

1 Kiddie Pool
Cardboard Boxes
Pine Shavings
Heat Lamp

Heat Lamps for Chickens

What Should I Feed My Chickens?

Melissa writes: “They can have treats when they get older, but they’ll need grit. Feed starter feed to the babies, as it’s finely crumbled.”

Pictured below are Melissa’s “Big Babies”… aren’t they so sweet?

Chick Starter – Poultry Feed for Small Beaks

Christy writes: “I currently have about 40 chickens… from 2 weeks old to 7 months old.. I have had as many as 200 at one time – lol! The older guys free range most of the day…they are the best pets and fun to watch. If provided with clean water, good food, and a shelter they do well I have found.”

Chick Tip: If you’re starting out with babies, make sure you start out with feeders perfect for those little beaks!

Baby Chick Feeders

Christy writes: “My guys get scratch grains once a day, table scraps, Watermelon in the hot South Carolina Summer, but most of their diet is made up from free ranging during the day!”

Frugal Tip: Grow your own watermelon for your chicken to snack on during those hot summer days! Check out these tips and tricks to grow your best watermelon ever here…

Watermelon Gardening Tips

What Kind of Chicken Coop Do I Need?

Melissa writes: “Start thinking of coop ideas now, chicks grow so fast!”

Amy writes: “I recommend not going cheap on the coop. I’ve found that if you buy a chicken coop that you put together, it won’t last! Break out the hammer and make one … or convert a shed.”

Below is a picture of Amy’s coop. Isn’t it adorable? Note the high fencing surrounding the area + the protective barrier on top to keep predators away…