Raising Backyard Chickens: A Journey from Chicks to Egg-Layers.

Chickens can be a delightful and productive addition to your backyard. From the moment you bring them home as tiny chicks to when they start laying eggs, proper care and attention are key to their health and happiness. Here’s a step-by-step how to raise chickens guide to help you through this rewarding journey.

1. Preparing for Your Chicks

Before your chicks arrive, ensure you have all the necessary supplies:

• Brooder: A secure, draft-free area like a large plastic tub or a cardboard box. If using a cardboard box keep in mind you will need to change it when changing their bedding every so often so make sure you have several boxes handy. Don’t cover the brooder with anything, even if it is cold, since this is a fire hazard. Keep it in a safe, secure place such as the garage, shed or greenhouse, away from potential predators and other household pets.
• Heat Lamp: Chicks need a warm environment, ideally around 95°F for the first week, decreasing by 5°F each week until they are fully feathered.
• Bedding: Use pine shavings or straw; avoid cedar as it can be harmful.
• Feeders and Waterers: Clean, shallow dishes are perfect for their first few weeks. I cannot stress how important it is to test the waterer you have for leaks as they can flood and drown your chicks if not functioning properly. The best thing to do is give them a shallow dish and keep checking on them and refilling it several times a day in the beginning.

2. Bringing Chicks Home

Once you have your chicks:

• Set Up the Brooder: Place the heat lamp at one end so chicks can move away if they get too warm. Spread bedding evenly and ensure water and food are accessible.
• Feed and Water: Provide chick starter feed, which is high in protein for growth, and fresh, clean water at all times. When you first get them in the brooder, dip their beaks in the water once to ensure they know where the water is. Sometimes, chicks do better if you give them finely chopped hard boiled eggs or quick oats as they are less likely to cause constipation as some commercial starter feed.
• Check for “Poopy Butt“: When the chicks are small their poop can plug up their butt sometimes if it gets too dry (due to aforementioned constipation) which will kill them so check for signs that their butt is covered in dry poop. If you find a chick with poopy butt, make sure to use a paper towel, wet it with warm water and gently rub the poop off. Do not submerge the chicks butt in water unless absolutely necessary as it will get too chilled and need to be dried out as quickly as possible to prevent hypothermia.

3. Daily Care

• Monitor Temperature: Watch your chicks’ behavior; if they huddle under the lamp, they’re cold. If they avoid it, they’re too warm.
• Cleanliness: Change bedding regularly to prevent illness. Clean feeders and waterers daily. If you don’t they will get very stinky and grow algae in them. You can add a splash of apple cider vinegar to their water to keep that from happening and to give it a bit more flavor for your chicks to enjoy.
• Observation: Check your chicks daily for signs of illness such as lethargy or irregular droppings. Sometimes there are chicks that are just malformed and will not make it, and that’s just how mature works unfortunately.

4. Transitioning to the Coop

Around 6 weeks, when they’re fully feathered, your chicks can move to their outdoor coop:

• Coop Preparation: Ensure the coop is predator-proof, well-ventilated, and spacious. Provide nesting boxes and roosting bars. I cannot stress enough the importance of securing the coop since we had soooo many of our chickens get eaten by various predators from racoons, opossums, hawks and even an owl! Make sure there are no gaps in any of the coop sides, double up on the chicken wire, and place rocks around the base to prevent anything from digging it’s way under to get in. The bottom of the run and coop most be reinforced with thick, horizontal wooden planks as racoons can reach their little paws in through the mesh or chicken wire and hurt your chickens! Heed this warning and take extra precautions! Seriously.

5. Feeding and Health Maintenance

• Diet: Transition from chick starter feed to grower feed around 8 weeks. Fresh greens and occasional treats can be introduced.
• Health Checks: Regularly check for parasites and keep the coop clean to prevent diseases.

6. From Pullet to Layer

At around 18-20 weeks, your pullets will start laying eggs:

• Layer Feed: Switch to layer feed, which has the right balance of calcium for strong eggshells.
• Nesting Boxes: Ensure they have comfortable, clean nesting boxes to lay their eggs.
• Routine Care: Continue providing fresh water, a balanced diet, and clean living conditions.

Keeping backyard chickens requires dedication but offers the reward of fresh eggs and the joy of caring for these feathered friends. With proper care, your chickens will thrive from the early days as chicks to their egg-laying prime. Enjoy the process and the delightful clucks and coos along the way!