New chicken owners will experience ups & downs when it comes to managing their flock. The art of keeping chickens takes years of practice. It's likely you would wish you had known some things as a beginner if you could go back & start over again. New chicken owners will find these 10 tips helpful in preventing heartache & confusion.

1. Feeding & Watering Baby Chicks​

One of the best feelings ever is bringing home a box of chicks. Seeing the inquisitive eyes of the new chicks after opening the box is truly breathtaking. Chicks from a hatchery are most likely to arrive in a day or two after hatching. They are fluffy and dry. Once they arrive at their new home, they must eat and rehydrate urgently.

There are smart chicks who know what to do almost immediately, there are others who have no idea, and there are some who are too weak to figure it out for themselves. Hold the chick firmly but gently in your hand, and dip the tip of the beak into the water, to assist it in taking its first drink. After that, set them back down and watch them swallow awkwardly. It is not uncommon for them to instinctively go for more water after they have drank a little bit.

You can feed by tapping your finger on the food dish or the food on the bottom of the brooder. Watching how they rush to see what you are tapping is amazing. It always works!

Beginner's Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens

2. There Is No Need to Chase Chickens​

When it comes to moving a chicken or providing medical attention, a chicken may need to be handled. Trying to catch a chicken by chasing them is not an effective way to do so. Every new chicken owner learns this lesson quickly.

It's in their nature to run! They're extremely agile and swift. Make your move at dusk when your chickens are roosting instead of chasing them. At night, chickens become drowsy and lethargic. Chickens can usually be plucked at night from their perches without incident. During this time, it is also a good idea to clip their wings.

3. Protection from Predators​

No matter where they are kept, chickens are at risk of being attacked by predators of all sizes. Even if the chickens are free-range, locking them in their coop at night is one of the most effective ways to prevent attacks.

It has become increasingly popular to have automatic chicken coop doors that lock and/or close themselves at the end of every day if it is not possible to do so manually. Every night, chickens roost at the same place. Based on the season, they will return home around the same time every day.

It is critical that you check the laws in your area before taking action against aggressive predators. There are some that may be protected or endangered.

4. Roosters​

Some people consider roosters a pain. Some are noisy & some are mean. Yet they do a great job of protecting their hens against predators. If you want to keep a rooster in your yard, make sure you check the local ordinances first.

Here are the Top 10 Reasons To Keep Roosters.

Beginner's Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens

5. Dust Baths Are Perfectly Normal​

Chickens taking dust baths often seem distressed. It almost appears as if they're injured as they wiggle & fluff about. Dust baths, however, are beneficial to chickens. Besides getting rid of excess oils, it helps them to clean their feathers, and it is also effective at preventing and deterring mites & other unwanted guests.

There should be an area for confined chickens to take dust baths. A pile of garden dirt is all they need to be happy. A free-range chicken will find a place that is just right for them.

6. Molting Is Normal​

Molting chickens appear injured or sick at first. Chickens go through this process at least once a year, and it is only a natural part of their lives. It's important to provide chickens with a warm & safe place during molting, as this can be stressful for them.

A long & embarrassing molt can also be managed by feeding them additional protein to keep them energetic.

Read More: Molting: All You Need To Know

Beginner's Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens

7. Pick the Right Chicken Breed​

In most cases, people want chickens as part of their homestead because of the eggs they produce or to be entertained by their antics. Rather than just running to the poultry store & picking up whatever is available, it is important to do some research on chicken breeds.

Egg production varies from chicken to chicken. Cold climates suit some chickens better than others, and some chickens are more friendly than others. There are also the following factors to take note of:
  • Eggs/Meat: Some chickens are bred specifically for meat and don't lay eggs very often or at all. In the poultry industry, these birds are referred to as meat broilers. Breeds like this were not meant to live very long. As they grow very fast, they can suffer heart issues or become weak if unprocessed.
  • Egg Colors: Eggs are available in a variety of colors, from white to brown, light pink to blue to chocolate.
  • Chicken size: Bantams are small, which means their eggs are small as well. For people who do not have a lot of space for chickens, these little birds are the best choice.
  • Functional/Ornamental: Some chickens may not lay many eggs, but they are aesthetically pleasing to look at.

8. Chickens Might Lay Eggs All Over The Place​

The sunlit nook under the porch is more inviting than even the most inviting nesting boxes. A clutch of old eggs that you cannot reach is one of the most frustrating things you can find. When chickens have been free-range for long periods of time or have been free-range upon arrival, this often occurs.

It is sometimes necessary to retrain them to lay their eggs in an easily accessible area since they have their own preferences. A hen should be confined with the nesting box for at least a week before being released and reminded that the nesting box is her best place to lay eggs. In most cases, she'll continue to lay eggs in her nesting box.

In spite of their stubbornness, chickens are wonderfully predictable creatures.

Beginner's Tips for Raising Backyard Chickens

9. Good Feeders and Waterers​

Chickens can be messy little creatures. It is important to have the right containers throughout the brooding period and into adulthood to ensure that chickens stay healthy and clean.

Throughout their lives, chickens scratch around, making small areas very messy. As a result, waterers will often accumulate droppings, shavings, and feed. When the weather is humid or the waterer is dirty, bacteria can grow quickly.

The best waterers and feeders for chickens are those that limit the amount of waste entering the trays. Feeders should also be raised or hung, rather than placed on the ground. In this way, chickens will not make a big mess & can remain healthy.

Waterers and feeders are easy to make, and you can find some great DIY ideas HERE!

10. Halt the Egg-Eating ASAP!​

There is a tendency for chickens to eat their own eggs, although it may seem strange. When production appears to stop and there are no visible signs of illness, egg-eating is usually evident. A hen often starts eating eggs when one cracks under her weight. It is not long before the hen pecks at the cracked egg and realizes how tasty it is.

Sadly, the rest of the flock notices and wants to taste the egg as well. Like wildfire, the problem spreads from there. Fortunately, it is possible to cure egg-pecking! Ensure that the flock has the right amount of calcium & grit first and foremost. The chickens will turn to their own eggs for calcium if they lack what they need.

You can then deter egg eaters by adding dummy eggs to their nesting boxes, which are usually porcelain eggs or golf balls. After a while, the chickens will give up pecking at the fake egg because it is uncomfortable and unproductive.

Take a look at this article for tips on breaking this behavior.

Conclusion​

Beginner chicken owners will benefit from these tips for keeping their chickens healthy & preventing early losses. It is important to understand a chicken's quirks & needs from an early age so that you can enjoy years of delicious eggs & humorous backyard stunts.

Looking for more in-depth information? Start with our overview article: "How To Raise Chickens".
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