A Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens: Buying Spring Chicks and Raising Them for Eggs

Adding chickens to your backyard is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh eggs, reduce kitchen waste, and experience the rewards of raising animals. Spring is the best time to buy chicks, as the warmer months give them plenty of time to grow strong before winter. Here’s a complete guide to buying spring chicks, setting up their space, and raising them to become reliable egg layers.

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Why Spring is the Best Time to Buy Chicks

1. Optimal Weather: Chicks are delicate and need warmth. Starting in spring means milder temperatures, making it easier to regulate their environment as they grow.

2. Time to Mature: Chicks purchased in spring will mature throughout the warmer months, reaching egg-laying age by late summer or early fall.

3. Availability: Hatcheries and farm supply stores typically have a larger selection of chicks in spring, so you’ll have more choices when it comes to breeds and quantities.

Most people begin looking for chicks in March or April. If ordering from a hatchery, consider placing your order early, as spring is a popular time, and chicks can sell out quickly.

Setting Up Your Brooder for New Chicks

Chicks need a warm, safe, and clean environment to thrive in their early weeks. Here’s what you’ll need to set up a proper brooder:

- Brooder Box: Use a sturdy container like a large plastic bin, cardboard box, or stock tank with high enough walls to keep chicks secure. Line the bottom with paper towels initially, then switch to pine shavings (avoid cedar, as it’s toxic to chicks).

- Heat Source: Chicks need a steady heat source, like a heat lamp or brooder plate. Start at 95°F for the first week, lowering the temperature by 5°F each week until it matches outdoor temperatures.

- Feeder and Waterer: Use chick-specific feeders and waterers to prevent spills and contamination. Clean them regularly to keep food and water fresh.

- Chick Starter Feed: Feed chicks a specially formulated chick starter feed high in protein to support their rapid growth.

- Space: Plan for at least 6 inches of space per chick in the brooder for the first few weeks. As they grow, they’ll need more room to move around comfortably.

The Denman Homestead tip: Observe your chicks’ behavior to gauge their comfort. If they’re huddled under the heat source, they’re too cold; if they’re far away from it, they may be too hot.

How Long Until They Start Laying Eggs?

Most egg-laying breeds start laying between 4-6 months of age. Chicks purchased in early spring will typically begin laying by late summer or early fall, just in time for you to enjoy fresh eggs during the cooler months.

Factors That Influence Egg-Laying Age:

- Breed: Some breeds, like Leghorns, mature quickly and may start laying as early as 4 months, while others, like Orpingtons, may take closer to 6 months.

- Diet: A balanced, protein-rich diet supports healthy growth and helps hens reach laying age sooner.

- Lighting: Hens need around 14-16 hours of light to stimulate egg production, so shorter daylight hours in fall or winter can delay laying.

Best Breeds for Egg-Laying

Choosing the right breeds for egg production can make all the difference in how many eggs you’ll get each week. Here are a few popular, reliable egg-laying breeds:

1. Rhode Island Red: Known for their hardiness and consistent egg production, Rhode Island Reds are friendly and reliable layers of brown eggs.

2. Leghorn: A top choice for white eggs, Leghorns are prolific layers and mature quickly, usually starting to lay around 4 months.

3. Australorp: These black-feathered beauties are excellent brown egg layers and are calm and easygoing, making them great for backyard flocks.

4. Orpington: Buff Orpingtons are popular for their gentle nature and steady production of medium to large brown eggs.

5. Plymouth Rock: Friendly and hardy, Plymouth Rocks are great layers of brown eggs and adapt well to various climates.

Each hen can produce around 4-6 eggs per week, so consider your family’s needs when choosing breeds and quantities.

How Many Chickens Per Person?

To decide the number of chickens you’ll need, think about your egg consumption. On average, a single hen will produce 200-300 eggs per year (or about 4-6 eggs per week, depending on breed and conditions).

Here’s a general guide:

- 1-2 people: 3-4 hens

- Family of 4: 6-8 hens

- Larger family or frequent egg users: 8-12 hens

The Denman Homestead tip: Adding a couple of extra hens can help account for seasonal changes or the natural slowdown in winter laying, as well as the occasional mishap with pests and other critters that might take off with one of your hens.

Transitioning Chicks to Their Coop

At around 6-8 weeks, chicks are ready to move from the brooder to an outdoor coop, depending on the weather. Here’s how to make a smooth transition:

1. Prepare the Coop: Ensure the coop is clean, secure, and predator-proof with nesting boxes, perches, and ventilation. Provide at least 4 square feet per chicken indoors and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run.

2. Gradual Temperature Change: If it’s still cool outside, you may want to gradually expose chicks to outdoor temperatures during the day before moving them to the coop full-time.

3. Introduce Layer Feed: Around 18 weeks, switch to layer feed, which has lower protein but added calcium to support egg production.

The Denman Homestead tip: Keep a close eye on chicks during the first few days in the coop to ensure they’re adjusting well and staying safe.

Caring for Your Backyard Chickens

Once your chickens are settled in the coop, here are some tips for keeping them happy, healthy, and productive:

- Clean Water and Quality Feed: Provide fresh water and a balanced layer feed. Adding oyster shells or a calcium supplement will help strengthen eggshells.

- Grit: Chickens need grit to digest their food. Offer a separate container of grit if they don’t have access to pebbles in their run.

- Protection from Predators: Secure the coop with latches, hardware cloth, and ensure the run is protected from predators like raccoons or hawks.

- Check for Health Issues: Keep an eye on your flock for signs of mites, respiratory issues, or parasites. Regular cleaning and fresh bedding help prevent disease.

Enjoying Fresh Eggs

With proper care, your hens will reward you with fresh, nutritious eggs throughout the year. Collect eggs daily to keep the nest boxes clean, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing where your food comes from. If you end up with more eggs than you can use, consider sharing with neighbors or friends—or try your hand at preserving eggs by freezing or pickling.

The Rewards of Backyard Chickens

Raising backyard chickens is more than just collecting eggs—it’s about connecting with nature, learning sustainable practices, and bringing a bit of the farm to your own backyard. Chickens are hardy, entertaining animals that provide natural pest control, enriching your garden and bringing joy to your family.

We hope this guide helps you get started with backyard chickens and that your new flock brings plenty of fresh eggs and happy moments to your homestead. From all of us at The Denman Homestead, happy chick season and happy homesteading!