Are Backyard Hens Right for You?
The idea of collecting fresh eggs from your own backyard flock is appealing—beautiful hens scratching in the yard, a steady supply of eggs, and a connection to your food. But raising chickens isn’t just about cute coop décor and omelets on demand. Before you take the plunge, here’s a self-assessment to help you decide if backyard hens are truly right for you.
1. Do You Have the Space?
Chickens need room to roam, scratch, and stretch their wings. Even if you’re planning a small flock, you’ll need:
✅ A secure coop (at least 2-3 square feet per bird inside)
✅ Outdoor run space (8-10 square feet per bird, more if you want happy hens)
✅ Predator protection (think hawks, raccoons, possums, minks, and neighborhood dogs)
If you have a small yard or live in an apartment, a flock might not be the best fit.
2. Are Chickens Allowed Where You Live?
Many cities allow backyard chickens, but some have restrictions on:
✅ The number of birds you can keep
✅ Whether roosters are allowed (hint: they usually aren’t)
✅ Coop placement and setback requirements
Some cities only enforce regulations based on complaints. Sharing fresh eggs with your neighbors can go a long way towards avoiding complaints. Check with your local zoning office before you start buying chicks!
3. Do You Have the Time?
Hens are lower maintenance than a dog, but they still need daily care:
✅ Fresh food and water every day
✅ Regular coop cleaning to prevent odors and health issues
✅ Time to collect eggs (which can freeze in winter if not gathered).
✅ Monitoring for illness, injuries, or behavioral issues
Chickens are a long-term commitment—hens can live 5-10 years, though egg production slows with age.
4. What’s Your Plan for Non-Laying Hens?
Hens don’t lay forever. After 2-3 years, egg production slows down. What will you do when your birds stop laying?
✅ Keep them as pets?
✅ Find someone willing to take them as pets? Or for meat?
✅ Process them yourself for meat?
Thinking about this before you get chickens will save you stress down the road. Note that some municipalities do not allowing processing. Keeping hens and processing hens are two different questions.
5. What If a Hen Gets Sick or Injured?
Most veterinarians do not treat poultry, so backyard chicken keepers need to be prepared to handle common health issues on their own.
✅ Basic First Aid: Learn how to clean wounds, separate an injured bird, and provide supportive care.
✅ Quarantine Setup: Have a safe space to isolate sick or injured birds.
✅ Culling Decisions: Unfortunately, a common recommendation for severely ill or injured birds is to cull (humanely euthanize) them. Be honest with yourself—are you comfortable making that decision if needed?
✅ Preventative Care: A healthy environment, good nutrition, and biosecurity measures can reduce the risk of disease.
Backyard chicken keeping is rewarding, but it also comes with responsibilities, including knowing how to handle tough situations.
6. Can You Handle Chicken Poop?
Let’s be real—chickens poop a lot. A few things to consider:
✅ You’ll need a system for managing manure (composting is great!)
✅ The coop and run need regular cleaning
✅ Free-ranging chickens = poop on your patio, lawn, and anywhere they roam
7. Do You Have a Backup Plan for Vacations?
If you leave town, someone needs to care for your flock. Make sure you have a neighbor, friend, or farm sitter who can:
✅ Check food and water daily
✅ Collect eggs
✅ Secure the coop at night (if free-ranging)
8. Can You Handle a Little Chicken Drama?
Hens have personalities, and flock dynamics can be… messy. Be prepared for:
✅ Pecking order squabbles (yes, that’s a real thing)
✅ The occasional bully or troublemaker
✅ Unexpected broody hens who refuse to leave the nest
Final Verdict: Are Chickens Right for You?
If you answered “YES” to most of these questions, you’re likely ready to start your backyard chicken journey! If you hesitated on a few points, take some time to research and prepare before committing.
