How to Care for Backyard Chickens (The Happy Hen Hub)

Inside: a collection of all my articles about how to raise backyard chickens at home, from housing to feeding to hatching chicks. You can do it!

Chickens are, at heart, very easy to care for. Give them a safe place to spend the night, access to food and water, and you’ll probably do just fine. But like many things in the world of homesteading, raising hens can feel overwhelming when you’re learning about it. When you actually do it, you’ll see that it’s simple.

Use these articles to get advice for a specific problem or just to read up on the basics. Chickens are often considering the gateway to homesteading, but the truth is that they’ll be right at home in the suburbs too.

I hope this collection of articles will provide you with practical, easy-to-follow advice to make your chicken-keeping journey fun

Feeding Your Chickens

The truth is they’ll eat just about anything. From free-ranging to table scraps, to the best feed choices, I cover it all. But don’t overthink this one.

• Foods You Should Never Feed Your Chickens
• Benefits of Feeding Eggshells to Your Chickens
• Pellet vs Crumbles: What Feed is Right.
• The BEST Feed for Egg Layers
• Can My Chicken Eat It? (With Printable!) What To Feed Chickens For The Best Tasting Eggs
• Chickens Eating Chicken Meat

Daily Care for Your Flock

From hatching your own eggs to setting your flock free to roam in your backyard. These articles will take you from newborn to the end of your chicken’s life.

• How to Hatch Chicken Eggs in an Incubator
• How to Raise Baby Chicks
• Herbs Your Chickens Will Love
• How Long Do Chickens Lay Eggs?
• How to Free-Range Your Chicken Flock
• Dogs and Chickens: Friends or Dinner?
• How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter
• The Pros and Cons of Free-Ranging
• The Daily Life of Backyard Chickens

Chicken Problems

Problems will come to your flock, guaranteed. But most of them will be small. Here are some common issues that might crop up (and how to deal with them.)

• Pasty Butt in Chickens
• Stop Chickens from Eating Their Eggs
• What To Do With a Rooster You Can’t Keep
• Can You Eat a Rooster?
• The Disadvantages of Having Chickens

Chicken Care Essentials

Raising chickens requires some essential items and preparations to ensure a healthy, happy flock. Here’s a list of things you’ll need:

• Chicken Coop: A secure, well-ventilated chicken coop protects your chickens from predators and harsh weather. Ensure it’s spacious enough for the number of chickens you plan to keep.
• Nesting Boxes: Provide one nesting box for every three to four hens. These should be cozy and dark to encourage egg-laying.
• Feeding and Watering Equipment: Invest in sturdy, easy-to-clean feeders and waterers. It’s important to provide constant access to fresh water and a balanced diet.
• Chicken Feed: Choose a high-quality feed suitable for the age and type of your chickens (e.g., layers feed for egg-laying hens).
• Bedding Material: Pine shavings, straw, or sand work well for bedding. It keeps the coop clean and provides comfort for your chickens.
• Fencing or Chicken Run: A secure outdoor area where chickens can roam safely is essential. It should be predator-proof and provide enough space for all your chickens.

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Recommended Chicken-Keeping Resources:

• For help choosing the right chicken breeds taking into consideration egg color, productivity, and more.
• The Mile Four Website features tools like a feed calculator and a coop size calculator.
• The YouTube channel “Becky’s Homestead” offers practical, visual advice on various aspects of chicken keeping.
• BackYardChickens.com has an active forum where chicken owners share advice and answer each other’s questions.

Good Luck

Each chicken (and owner!) has its own personality and needs. You grow with them and find your own person way of caring for your flock. But I hope these articles get you started on the road to success.