Should I Start Backyard Chickens?

Ever get the idea to have your own mini homestead? Drawn in by the allure of a full basket of colourful eggs laid by your very own hens? Wonder what it would be like to have tiny dinosaurs living on your property that poop breakfast?

It may just be the time to start considering backyard chickens.

Whether you’ve been caught up in the Instagram hype of the #homesteadlife, or you’ve been planning on setting your family up with a bit of added self-sufficiency, backyard chickens are the gateway to living the dream and enjoying farm fresh, nutrient dense, TASTY eggs almost all year long.

If that’s you, let’s talk about our top tips for getting started with backyard chickens.

The Benefits of Backyard Chickens

Let’s start by clearing the air, chickens are more than just egg-layers. They’re natural pest controllers, avid composters, and an endless source of entertainment (and I’m not just talking about the jovial rooster run). Not to mention, if you have been on the market for eggs that actually taste like eggs, having your very own flock is the key to that success.

Chicken’s are a wonderful addition to a backyard homestead, but be forewarned, they are the gateway animal to many a homestead adventure. What started as a simple science project for us, ended up with laying hens, meat chickens, pigs, cows, and horses. In no time you may find yourself googling not only “how do I get a rainbow of eggs”, but also, “how much space does a sheep require”, and “pound for pound, what makes more milk”.

But, let’s start at the beginning… where do you get chicks?

Where Should You Buy Your Chicks?

When it comes to sourcing your flock, you have three main options, hatcheries, breeders, backyard farmers. Of course, if you are a homeschooling family or have access to an incubator, you could always start your chicken tending journey from the very beginning and hatch your own eggs, just like our family.

Let’s talk about the benefits of each:

1. Hatcheries:

• Ideal for variety and reliability.
• Chicks are usually sexed (if you opt for sexed chicks).
• Chicks are abundantly available.
• We use Mt. Healthy Hatchery and have had great success with them

2. Breeders:

• A good choice for specific breeds or show-quality birds.
• More expensive but often healthier due to selective breeding.
• Usually “straight run” and unsexed, meaning you have a 50/50 likelihood of hen vs. rooster.

3. Local Backyard Enthusiasts:

• Affordable and close by.
• Wide variety of breeds or genetics.
• Always ask about the health of their flock and ensure chicks have been well-cared for.
• Again, usually “straight run” and unsexed,.

Barnyard Mixes: Fun but Risky

Barnyard mixes are a grab bag of traits, often bred by hobbyists. While they can be charming and hardy, there’s less predictability in their egg production or temperament. Often, we find, these hens are what would generally be referred to as Easter Eggers, they are mixed breeds with layers of blue or olive eggs, so it’s a true surprise as to what you’re going to get. The Forrest Gump of the chicken world, if you will. If you’re just starting out, consider sticking to reliable laying breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, or Australorps.

Straight Run vs. Sexed Chicks

You’ve decided to go with a hatchery, now it’s time to understand the lingo of backyard chickens.

• Straight Run: You’ll get a mix of males and females, which can be a gamble if you live where roosters aren’t allowed.

• Sexed Chicks: These are sorted by gender, so you know what you’re getting—usually pullets (young hens). This is the safer choice for most beginners. Certainly, for those who are not planning on sending roosters to freezer camp. I have found this to be very successful at the hatchery but not so much from stores like Tractor Supply. I always end up with a rooster from their hen flock.

Starting Off Right: Key Tips

• Timing Matters: If you’re hoping for eggs in the year you get your chicks, planning ahead is key. Order your chicks in early spring (March or April) to give them plenty of time to grow before summer. Chicks take about 16-20 weeks to start laying, so a spring purchase means summer eggs. This also gives you the best likelihood that you will have hens that lay throughout the winter.

• Set Up a Brooder: This warm, safe space will house your chicks for their first few weeks. You’ll need a heat lamp, bedding, chick feed and your waterer. You don’t have to get too fancy here. I’m talking, close Pinterest and learn the very important lesson of homesteading, it’s better to make do than to make pretty. Give them enough room to be able to get under the heat lamp if they're cold, and move out fro under it if they get too warm.

Plan for Chicken Math:

It’s inevitable that when you start out with half a dozen chicks you’ll be looking at 12-15 by the time you’re said and done. They are addictive, quirky, interesting, nutritious, and there is just so much satisfaction in having a colourful basket of delicious easter eggs on the daily.

Final Thoughts

Starting backyard chickens isn’t just about eggs; it’s about the joy of watching tiny dinosaurs peck and forage, the satisfaction of sustainable living, and the opportunity to join the ranks of incredible chicken tenders. Whether you’re in it for farm-fresh breakfast or the love of animals, backyard chickens might be just what you need. I mean, who doesn’t want a few … dozen … hens? Be honest, how many chicks did you start with? And how many do you have now?