How To Raise Chickens At Home
Learn How To Raise Chickens At Home with this helpful tutorial from Zip Tutorials.
Created By: 
Zip Tutorials
Published on March 13, 2025
7 Steps
Step 1:
Check Local Rules and Space
Before you buy chickens, look up your city or neighborhood regulations—some places limit how many you can have or ban roosters due to noise. Search online for “[your town] chicken ordinances” or call your local government. Then scope out your yard; you’ll need at least 4 square feet per chicken in a coop and 10 square feet each in a run, so plan where they’ll live.
Step 2:
Build or Buy a Coop
Get a secure coop—either grab a pre-made one from a farm store or build it with wood, wire, and a sloped roof for rain runoff. Make sure it’s predator-proof with locks and tight mesh, has a roost for sleeping, and nest boxes (one per 3-4 hens) for eggs. Set it in a spot with shade and good drainage—chickens hate soggy feet.
Step 3:
Pick Your Chickens
Decide if you want chicks or adult hens—chicks are cheaper but need weeks of care before laying, while hens start producing eggs right away. Choose breeds based on your goals; Rhode Island Reds are hardy egg-layers, while Silkies are cute but less productive. Buy from a local hatchery or farm supply store, starting with 3-5 birds for a small setup.
Step 4:
Set Up Brooding for Chicks (If Needed)
If you got chicks, they need a warm spot for their first 6-8 weeks—set up a brooder with a big cardboard box or plastic bin, a heat lamp keeping it 95°F at first (drop 5°F weekly), and pine shavings for bedding. Add a small waterer and feeder with chick starter feed; keep it indoors or in a garage until they feather out.
Step 5:
Feed and Water Them Right
For grown chickens, stock up on layer feed (16-18% protein) from a feed store—about a quarter pound per hen daily keeps them happy. Set up a feeder and a waterer in the coop, refreshing water daily to keep it clean. Toss in occasional treats like veggie scraps or mealworms, but don’t overdo it—feed’s their main meal.
Step 6:
Maintain the Coop
Scoop out poop and wet bedding weekly, replacing it with fresh shavings or straw to keep smells down and chickens healthy. Check the coop for holes or weak spots monthly—foxes and raccoons are sneaky. In winter, add extra bedding for warmth; in summer, ensure ventilation so they don’t overheat.
Step 7:
Collect Eggs and Watch Their Health
Once hens hit 5-6 months (or right away with adults), check nest boxes daily for eggs—most lay one every 24-36 hours. Watch for weird stuff like limping, sneezing, or dull feathers; it could mean sickness, so Google symptoms or call a vet if needed. Happy, active chickens mean you’re doing it right!
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