Backyard Chickens 101: How We Raise Happy Hens as a Family

When we first brought home our very first batch of chicks (back in 2020), I had no idea how much joy and how much life those little fluffballs would add to our days.

As a mom of three and someone who’s always had a heart for farm life, raising chickens has been one of the best (and most surprisingly simple) decisions we’ve made for our family.

If you’re dreaming about fresh eggs on the breakfast table, teaching your kids a little more about responsibility, or just adding a little more life to your backyard, I’m so excited to share everything we’ve learned over the years.

Here’s a simple guide to raising backyard chickens, from chick days all the way to that first, perfect egg—plus a few of our favorite must-haves you can grab right from Amazon (affiliate links included—thank you for supporting our little farm family).

Why We Love Raising Chickens

For our family, chickens are more than just pets or egg-layers—they’re part of the rhythm of our days. They teach our kids about life and responsibility, they help out around the garden, they keep bugs and pests at bay, and they always bring a little extra laughter with their unique personalities.

Some of our favorite reasons for keeping chickens include:

• Fresh, homegrown eggs (once you have farm eggs, you can’t go back)

• Natural bug control (they love ticks and mosquitoes)

• Free garden fertilizer (hello, rich compost!)

• Built-in life lessons for the kids

• Good old-fashioned fun—because watching chickens chase after a treat is hilarious

Getting Started: What Baby Chicks Really Need

Bringing home chicks feels a lot like bringing home tiny toddlers—lots of care, lots of cuteness, and yes, a little bit of mess.

Here’s what we set up every time we start a new flock:

Chick Essentials:

• A brooder box (we’ve used big plastic totes lined with pine shavings, wooden brooder boxes, and now have a 3-tiered triple brooder)

• Heat source – we prefer heat lamps over heat plates and recommend securing them to a wall for peace of mind

• Chick feeder

• Quail Waterer (for the first days through 2 weeks)

• Upgraded 2 Gallon Waterer (for 2 weeks+)

• 20% Chick Starter/Grower Feed

• Electrolytes & probiotics for a boost in vitamins and minerals

• Corrid (for onset Coccidiosis treatment)

• Thermometer (for keeping inside the brooder with the chicks, to ensure they are kept at the right temperature for each week they grow)

Farm Tip: Keep your brooder warm—around 90–95°F for the first week—and lower the temp by 5°F each week as they grow.

Here’s a chart that I use regularly:

• Hatch to 1 Week: 90°F - 95°F

• 1 Week: 90°F

• 2 Weeks: 85°F

• 3 Weeks: 80°F

• 4 Weeks: 75°F

• 5 Weeks: 70°F

• 6 Weeks: 65°F

(6-7 weeks typically moved out, depending on outside temps and weather)

The Teen Stage (4–8 Weeks): When Things Get Awkward

Around a month old, the chicks start growing real feathers and hit their “awkward teenager” phase. (Think half-fluff, half-feather… all funny looking.)

This is when we:

• Start letting them explore outside on nice days (always supervised)

• Offer little treats like scrambled eggs, mealworms, and fresh herbs

• Upgrade them to a bigger brooder or chick tractor if they need more space

You’ll start noticing their little personalities—and maybe even some early pecking order games too!

Moving Out to the Coop

Once the chicks are fully feathered (usually around 6–8 weeks) and the weather’s warm enough, it’s time to move them into their forever home outside.

Coop Must-Haves:

• A predator-proof, ventilated coop

• A fenced run so they can scratch and peck safely

• Roosting bars for sleeping (the general rule of thumb is 12” of linear roosting space per adult hen)

• Nesting boxes (1 box for every 3–4 hens)

• Feeder and waterer sized for grown chickens

• Pine shavings or fine chopped straw bedding for easy clean-up and composting

Mom Tip: When we first move them outside, we keep them inside the coop for a few days straight to help them “home imprint.” After that, they’ll head back in at sunset all on their own like clockwork.

Caring for Your Grown Hens (and Collecting Those First Eggs!)

One of the best farm moments? When you find your very first egg.

Usually around 16–20 weeks, you’ll start noticing signs like:

• Bright red combs and wattles

• Squatting behavior when you approach

• More noise and excitement in the coop

Daily Essentials:

• 18% Layer feed with added calcium

• Oyster shell supplement (on the side)

• Grit (on the side)

• Fresh, clean water

• Treats like veggie scraps or mealworms in moderation (the kids love tossing them)

Gathering eggs becomes a sweet family ritual—some days it’s a full basket, and some days it’s just a few gems, but it’s always a little adventure.

Keeping Your Flock Healthy

Thankfully, chickens are pretty hardy if you stick to a few good habits:

• Scoop and refresh coop bedding weekly (you can sift it every few days in the warmer months to keep down the flies)

• Offer a dust bath area (or add Diatomaceous Earth to dry patches of dirt)

• Watch for anything “off” like drooping wings, odd droppings, or sudden hiding

• Deworming and/or mite checks/treatments, seasonally (if needed)

• Adding a little apple cider vinegar to their water (once a week as a simple immune boost and for good gut health)

Extras That Make It Even More Fun

If you want to spoil your flock (and trust me, you will), here are some of our favorite chicken “extras”:

• Chicken swing – Yes, chickens swing. And it’s hilarious.

• Treat roller toy – Chickens LOVE this

• Herbal nest box blend – Smells good and keeps the girls calm

Backyard Chicken FAQs

Do I need a rooster for eggs?

Nope! Hens lay eggs just fine without a rooster. Roosters are only needed if you want fertilized eggs (baby chicks).

How many chickens should we start with?

We always suggest at least four to six hens to keep each other company. Chickens are happiest in a flock! But check with your HOA and township first.

Best beginner breeds?

If you’re new to chickens, you can’t go wrong with:

• Mottled Houdans: sweet, beautiful, and full of personality. Our family’s favorite!

• Ameraucanas: lay gorgeous blue eggs, have calm temperaments, and are cold hardy.

• Brahmas: gentle giants that are super cold-hardy, lay beautiful brown eggs, and make great pets for the family.

• Barred Rocks: smart, friendly, great foragers, and reliable layers.

  
  

Final Thoughts: Why Chickens Are One of the Best Family Adventures

Raising backyard chickens has brought so much life, laughter, and good food into our home and local South Jersey community. They have also brought us together with so many other chicken lovers and amazing people, taught our kids responsibility, given us countless funny stories, and helped us live just that much little closer to the land.

If you’re thinking about it—do it. You won’t regret it.

If you have any questions or still aren’t quite sure where to start, you can schedule a 1-on-1 session right here on our farm, or join us at one of our upcoming Backyard Chickens 101 sessions.

From our farm to your backyard, I hope you enjoy your chicken journey, and we’re here to help you along the way!