Raising Backyard Chickens // Beginners Guide

On the fence about getting backyard chickens? In this beginners guide will walk you through the ways to get baby chicks or pullets, when to get your chickens, chicken supplies, chicken feed, and general chicken care from birth through adulthood. I'll also cover chicken coop designs and supplies and how to set up a chicken coop and chicken run.

RELATED VIDEOS

MENTIONED PRODUCTS/SUPPLIES
1. Cardboard Box
or

FOOD
Starter Food - first 8 weeks
Grower Food- 9 - 18 weeks
Layer Food- 19 weeks and on

What Chickens Shouldn't Eat (I'm sure this isn't COMPLETE, but covers most common)
- Avocado pit and peel
- Chocolate or candy
- Citrus
- Green potato skins
- Dry, uncooked beans, pasta, rice
- Junk food
- Moldy or rotten food
- Tomato/nightshade leaves/plants
- Rhubarb

[authorcharlieboring]

You learn a lot raising chickens. I got my first broody hen and 10 eggs when I was about 10 years old in 1953. When the chickens started to hatch, I found enough soda bottles to sell for enough money to buy an addition 12 chickens from the the local feed store and when it was dark, I placed these under the hen and she accepted them. This small bantam hen raised 22 chicks. What did I learn? The love of a mother for babies is stronger than life.

[marleighf]

I just started keeping chickens. I started doing that to help feed my family and to rely less on the grocery store. I didn’t realize how much fun they really would be. I have some sassy hens that crack me up! I love my chickens and enjoy every moment with them😁

[KeithWheelerBooks]

Hey Brian, since we’re focusing deep on being self-sufficient, I’d love to see a video on how to build a simple chicken coop. Possibly for free or little money, etc.

[marygrott]

Yes, please, more chicken keeping videos for beginners. As someone who eventually wants to have chickens. this was very helpful. I'm looking forward to the day I'm a chicken keeper!!

[FosterFromTheAshes]

My littles were gifted baby chicks for Easter, and now I’m tasked with the obligation of crash courses to keep them alive and make it a decent experience. This video really helped me shift my perspective and recognize the “possibilities”. Thank you so much!

[lakeishagalloway]

I brought chicks in April 2024 and am learning as I go. This video is great. Thank you

[johncole]

My wife bought chicks on a whim last night, which stressed me out. Your video has made me way less worried. I’m glad to know this won’t be that crazy an amount of work. Thank you!

[bijou]

Very informative. Many years ago I had a pair of ducks. If you ever want some fowl that make good pets, I'd encourage you to get a pair (a male and a female) of ducks. The males aren't aggressive and noisy like roosters. They will keep your gardens free of snails, slugs, and other pests, and they are actually a little affectionate. The female will lay eggs...they are good eating and make the fluffiest cake batter. Thanks for another great vid!😊

[Pepper-prepper]

I’m a new chicken papa. My babies are 6 weeks, and I’ve had them 4 week and can’t wait to move them to the coop/run I built for them. Would love to see more chicken content!

[Peachy]

Keeping chickens is so so easy!! Not only is it easy but they are so entertaining 😊

[christian]

Once you get chickens you understand “chicken math”. I started with 15 last year, I just got another buff Brahma pullet a few months ago and I had a broody hen who hatched out 3 more chicks . Most of our flock is super friendly to the point they jump in our laps and take naps just like a lap dog. When I’m out working in the yard I generally have a them all around me plus 3 dogs and 2 cats. It saddens me to see how chickens are kept in commercial settings. I’ll never eat a store bought egg again for that reason. My flock which includes 1 rooster (who is a great guy, he takes the best care of his flock and even the new chicks. And friendly with people! ) is totally free range at the moment but after dealing with all the poop and of course the destruction to our garden, we will be constructing a fenced area for them in the fall. We will give them ample space to roam though because they are truly so happy when they free range and it kills me a little bit to take that from them. ❤

[sieglindesmith]

So nice to have instruction from a person who obviously likes the chickens and appreciates them - keeps them (and keeps them happy) not just for utilitarian reasons. A friend is going to pass on two young adult chickens to us and this video is a big help on how to keep them.

[iwanttobelieve]

I have 8 hens. I ordered 15, one died. I sold 6. I had chickens probably 16-17 years ago so I'm relearning everything. But the egg prices at the beginning of the year got me back into chickens just as 2020 got me back into gardening.

[shanoncollier]

I am moving to the country from suburbia. Like you said I have 3 dogs which are a lot of work. I didn't even know you didn't need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs. Thank you for breaking it down so simply.

[suzanneosio]

Free feeders and waterers..ask at your local grocery store that has a bakery, for their empty 2 gal. icing buckets with lids and handles. Then cut holes just large enough for the chickens to be able to reach in to the bottom. Around the top of the sides. I put 5 evenly spaced .The reason is, you don’t want them to be able to get inside the bucket and kick the feed around, but still allows them to reach to the bottom. This method keeps all feed inside so none goes to waste. The same method works for waterers. You can just set them on the ground, or hang up inside a coop during the winter months. Saves feeding everyday if you fill them up and let them eat the feed down gradually.

[jtharp]

Yes, please, more chicken content . We have been wanting to get chickens 🐔 the past several years .
Thank you so much
GREAT CONTENT 🙏🙏🙏🐔

[Lewis_Angel]

This was the first video I watched on chicken keeping.

Obviously, I will watch other videos, but I’m happy that this video was so informative and to see that it’s not as high maintenance as keeping a dog .

[s.jensen]

I don’t have or should say can’t have chickens but I’m fascinated by those who do and would love to. So yes, Brian I watch all your videos and I love each one ! Thank you for all your hard work on each episode!

[johnmanfredo]

GREAT VIDEO I AM NOW GETTING 5 CHICKS THANKS FOR KEEPING IT SIMPLE.. YES MORE CHICKEN CONTENT PLEASE!

[nchestercountynews]

little Velociraptors, grow extra kale in the garden, they love it. and lawnmower clippings