Raising backyard chickens has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. With rising egg prices and a growing interest in self-sufficiency, many are embracing the hobby. Backyard chickens provide a way to enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich eggs while also contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Though keeping backyard chickens may seem simple, it requires proper planning, care and commitment. From choosing the right breed to setting up a coop and ensuring chicken health, there are many decisions and responsibilities that new chicken keepers need to be prepared for.
To better understand the basics of raising laying chickens, we spoke with Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent and University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Instructor, Alicia Halbritter, about what it takes to get started raising a flock of your own.
PICKIN’ YOUR CHICKEN
There are many factors to consider when choosing your chickens—how many you want, what types of chickens to get, whether or not to get a rooster, etc. When raising chickens for eggs, the most important thing to consider is how many eggs you’re looking for them to produce per day. Chickens typically yield one egg per day so, if you would like to have a half-dozen eggs per day, you should consider getting six chickens. The UF/IFAS recommends having at least two chickens, as chickens learn from each other and require social interaction for proper development.
With so many different types of chickens, the choice can seem overwhelming. Luckily, according to Halbritter, any breed of chicken will do well in Northwest Florida’s climate. Since it does not get too cold or snowy here, the climate is perfect for raising chickens, as long as you provide them with shade.
Roosters are not necessary for owning backyard chickens, however, there may be some benefits to having a rooster depending on how you plan to raise your hens. If you plan to hatch eggs, a rooster will be necessary. They can also be beneficial in protecting hens, especially free-range hens. Roosters will warn hens when a perceived threat is nearby. If a rooster may be in your future, be sure to have at least three to five hens per rooster.
Another decision that soon-to-be chicken owners have to make is the age at which the chickens are purchased— chicks, pullets and chickens, or laying hens. Chicks are babies that often require extra care. Pullets are chickens that are about to start laying. Chickens (or laying hens) are chickens that are ready to lay eggs.
“New chicken owners can start with chicks if they want the full experience. It is generally easier to acquire chicks in the breeds you may want, especially if you are willing to purchase from large hatcheries and have the day-old chicks shipped to you,” Halbritter said. “Purchasing pullets or full-grown laying hens would be a good idea for those looking to skip the ‘rearing’ process and jump right into getting fresh eggs from their birds.”
Chicks, pullets and chickens can be purchased locally or online. The choice of where to acquire birds depends on the preferred breed and age of the bird. “Most local feed and farm stores carry chicks in the spring, typically starting in February or March, some may even have older hens available for purchase. Additionally, you can purchase from online hatcheries like Murray McMurray, Cackle, Hoovers, Meyer, My Pet Chicken or any other available distributor,” Halbritter explained. “Many local chicken breeders will have chicks for sale year-round, so take a peek on social media or local advertising sites to see if someone local has the breeds you desire.”
ALL ABOUT EGGS
Once you have happy and healthy chickens in a safe environment, it is time for the egg-citing part—getting fresh eggs! The age at which you purchase your chickens correlates to the amount of time that will pass before you start receiving eggs. Chicks will begin to lay around 18 to 20 weeks after hatching. After this time, you can expect to receive one egg from each bird per day.
There are a few factors, such as molting, that can cause chickens to lay less than one egg per day. Molting is a normal process when chickens lose their feathers and produce new ones. During this time, chickens will look a bit barren and their egg production will slow down. Typically occurring in the colder months, molting can last anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the individual bird.
No matter how many chickens you have, it is best practice to check the nesting boxes for eggs at least once a day. If eggs are left in the boxes for too long, they can get dirty or broken, which can lead to a mess. Excess eggs left in nesting boxes can also lead to broody chickens—hens that sit on eggs in an attempt to incubate them. Broodiness can be problematic to those raising chickens for eggs, as it halts egg production. It can also cause the affected hen to become so focused on sitting on the eggs that she neglects her own needs.
Once the eggs are collected, there are a few ways to safely store them. One of the most simple ways to safely store your eggs is to bring them inside and allow them to sit on your counter at room temperature, unwashed. Fresh eggs can be safely stored on the counter for 3 to 4 weeks, according to Halbritter. When you are ready to use the eggs, they should be lightly washed to remove any debris before cooking.
Another method of safely storing fresh eggs is in the refrigerator, which is also a great way to increase their shelf life. “Personally, I prefer to wash my eggs with a wash, rinse and sanitize method before drying and storing in the fridge. Refrigerated eggs maintain moisture and quality for longer when compared to eggs stored on the counter,” Halbritter explained. Using this method, eggs can be safely stored in the fridge for around 6 to 8 weeks.
SO, YOU WANT CHICKENS?
Before committing to purchasing your backyard chickens, there are a few important factors to be aware of. First, you must consider the total cost of owning chickens. The cost of owning chickens goes a lot deeper than the upfront costs of purchasing birds; there are consistent expenses such as food and water, as well as occasional vet visits, coop repairs and more.
“The average cost for a new coop, feed, feeders/waterers and your chickens will likely be $500 and up, depending on how large of a setup you choose and how many birds you purchase,” Halbritter said.
Soon-to-be chicken owners should also educate themselves on any local regulations that might be in place governing backyard chickens. Both the City of Pensacola and Escambia County have specific regulations in place for homeowners with backyard chickens. For the City of Pensacola’s regulations, visit cityofpensacola.com/416/ Code-of-Ordinances. For Escambia County regulations, visit escambiacounty-fl.elaws.us. If applicable, check with your homeowner’s association for any regulations that may apply.
BEYOND THE BASICS
Even after getting the basics down, there is so much more to learn about raising backyard chickens! If you are interested in diving deeper into the topic, consider checking out the self-paced online courses available from UF at ifas.catalog.instructure.com/?query=chicken.
For more information on Escambia County’s UF/IFAS extension office, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia.