Are you new to the world of chicken-keeping? Help your first flock prosper with these tips for becoming a successful backyard chicken keeper.
Backyard chickens are all the rage. From your own supply of farm-fresh eggs to the entertainment your flock provides, there’s plenty of reasons to keep your own hens. If you’re diving into the chicken-keeping trend, you should know a few things ahead of time. As with any pet or project, keeping chickens requires some research and preparation. Make sure you’re ready for the responsibility with these tips for becoming a successful backyard chicken keeper.
Choose Your Breed Wisely
Every chicken breed has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right type for your backyard flock. Think about what you want from your birds, and look for a breed that matches. Are you interested in substantial egg production? Do you want fast-maturing birds for the meat? You should also research the temperaments of different chicken breeds. A gentler, easier-to-train breed is a good choice for first-time chicken-keepers. The more you know about the breed you choose, the more prepared you’ll be to make the perfect home for them.
Focus on the Coop
Speaking of perfect homes, there’s no understating the importance of your chicken coop. Your chickens need a safe, healthy, and comfortable place to sleep, eat, and amuse themselves throughout the day. Make sure your coop is big enough for the size of your flock. You should also provide enough roosting space for every chicken. This will keep pecking and other forms of bullying down, since your birds won’t have to fight for space. Additionally, you should regularly inspect your coop for damage, such as a leaky roof or holes at the seams. Keeping your coop in good shape prevents health issues, structural damage, and vulnerability to bad weather, predators, and other threats.
Keep Learning as You Go
You have a lot to learn about keeping chickens, but experience is a great teacher. This is why one of the besttips for becoming a successful backyard chicken keeper is to keep learning and improving. Continuously researching different chicken breeds, behaviors, diseases, and other information will help you gradually become an expert on your flock. You should also seek out stories, advice, and experience from other chicken keepers. Learning more allows you to keep growing and to try new things in your chicken-keeping career.