Bramble & Coop
A small flock of hens fits surprisingly well into a backyard. They turn kitchen scraps into eggs and compost, and they are good company. They also need daily care, so it pays to plan before you buy chicks.
Check the rules first
Many towns allow a handful of hens but no roosters, and some require a permit or set distances from property lines. Call your city or check the code online, and look at any HOA rules too.
How many hens?
Three to five is a good start. Chickens are social and should not live alone. A healthy laying hen gives roughly four to six eggs a week in her first couple of years, fewer in winter.
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Space
- Coop: about 4 square feet per hen inside.
- Run: about 10 square feet per hen outside.
- Roost: 8 to 10 inches of bar per bird.
- Nest boxes: one per three or four hens.
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A normal week of chores
- Daily: fresh water, feed, collect eggs, close the coop at dusk.
- Weekly: add fresh bedding, clean the waterer, quick health check.
- Monthly: deeper clean of the coop.
Predators
Raccoons, hawks and dogs are the usual threats. Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, latch doors with two-step locks and close the coop every night.
Health basics
Wash your hands after handling birds or eggs, and keep chickens out of the kitchen. If a hen seems ill, separate her and contact a vet who sees poultry.
Before the chicks arrive, have the coop built, the feeder filled and a neighbor who can cover for you on vacation.