Why Every Homestead Needs Chickens (and How to Start Right)
Your complete beginner’s guide to adding backyard poultry this spring.
🐣 Introduction
Thinking about starting a homestead or becoming more self-sufficient? There’s no better place to begin than with chickens. These birds are low-maintenance, high-reward, and one of the easiest animals for beginners to raise. From fresh eggs to natural pest control, chickens offer real value to any property — even if you’re just getting started.
In this post, we’ll walk you through why chickens are a smart addition to your spring setup, what you need to get started, and how to keep your first flock happy and healthy.
✅ Why Chickens Belong on Every Homestead
🥚 Fresh Eggs
- One healthy hen can lay 4–6 eggs per week — which adds up quickly even with a small flock.
- Fresh eggs are more nutritious than store-bought, excellent for cooking, and great for sharing.
🌿 Pest Control + Soil Boosters
- Chickens love to scratch and snack on bugs, slugs, and weeds — making them natural garden helpers.
- They till soil, break down compost, and their droppings make excellent fertilizer.
- Some gardeners use “chicken tractors” to rotate them across garden beds.
💲 Cost-Effective and Sustainable
- Feed costs are low, especially when supplemented with kitchen scraps or forage.
- Coops can be DIY or built from repurposed materials.
- The return value — in eggs, compost, and pest control — is well worth it.
🧰 Getting Started: What You’ll Need for Your First Flock
🏠 A Safe, Draft-Free Coop
- Well-ventilated but dry
- Secure from predators
- Equipped with nesting boxes and perches
Start small: 3 to 6 chickens is a great beginner flock size.
🐓 Run Space or Pasture
Chickens need room to roam. A secure run or mobile tractor setup gives them space to scratch and forage.
Minimum: 10 sq ft per bird outside + 3–4 sq ft per bird inside the coop.
🍽 Feed and Water Setup
- Provide a clean water source that can’t be knocked over
- Layer feed or starter feed (depending on age)
- Supplement with oyster shells and occasional kitchen scraps
🛠 Tools + Extras
- Bedding (pine shavings or straw)
- A basic first aid kit for minor injuries
- Secure fencing or netting to protect from predators
📅 When to Start Raising Chickens in Spring
Spring is the ideal time to start your flock — hatcheries and feed stores are stocked with chicks and supplies.
You can choose:
- Day-old chicks – Great for bonding and education (requires heat lamp)
- Pullets – Young hens, 16–20 weeks old (egg-laying starts soon after)
- Started hens – Ready to lay immediately, perfect for impatient beginners
🕒 If starting with chicks, plan for 6–8 weeks of brooder time indoors before moving them to the coop.
🐥 Tips for Success as a New Chicken Keeper
- Handle your birds gently and often to build trust
- Clean the coop weekly to avoid odors and disease
- Watch for signs of illness: lethargy, loss of appetite, or odd droppings
- Join a local poultry or homesteading group for community support
🌱 Final Thoughts
Raising chickens is one of the most rewarding ways to begin your homesteading journey. Whether you’re looking for fresh eggs, soil health, or just a deeper connection to your land, chickens offer it all — with surprisingly little upkeep. Start simple, give your flock a good foundation, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your homestead starts to feel alive.
Looking for more beginner-friendly tips and seasonal guides? Follow our journey at KearneyFamily.Farm as we grow together 🐓🌾