Raising Chickens: A Complete Guide for Breeders

Chicken farming is not just a hobby for villagers. More and more people from cities or rural areas are starting to raise their own laying hens – whether for fresh homemade eggs or a desire for greater self-sufficiency.If you are a beginner and are wondering how to start raising chickens and whether it is worth it, this article will guide you through everything essential. From choosing a breed, to building a chicken coop, to feeding and caring for them.

When farming in the yard, it is also worth thinking about practical storage of crops or feed. A suitable solution is tarpaulin sheds, which reliably protect supplies from rain, wind and excessive sunlight.

How to start raising chickens?

The basis of raising chickens is thorough planning and preparation of conditions before you get your first chickens. A well-thought-out start will save you a lot of trouble and increase the chance of a long-term and satisfied breeding. Therefore, ask yourself a few important questions:

• How many eggs do you want per month? The average laying hen lays approximately 250–300 eggs per year, which is around 20 to 25 eggs per month. For a two-person household, this means that 3 to 5 chickens are more than enough to cover the usual egg consumption.
• How much space do you have? It is advisable to allocate at least 0.5 m² inside the chicken coop and 1.5 m² in the run for one hen. The more space, the better the well-being and health of the animals. In the case of smaller yards, you can also consider mobile chicken coops.
• Do you have the possibility to provide them with protection from predators? Foxes, martens, rats and birds of prey pose a great threat. The chicken coop should be lockable at night and the run secured with mesh or netting from above.

Also consider the availability of feed mixtures, water and the possibility of regular cleaning of the space. If the answers are positive, you can safely start raising chickens, which includes building the infrastructure and choosing suitable chicken breeds. If you are also interested in home beekeeping and ways to protect them from adverse weather, we recommend reading the article: How to raise bees: A complete guide for beginners.

What chickens to raise?

For beginners, we recommend breeds that are easy to raise, adaptable to various weather conditions, and at the same time provide good yields. When choosing, consider not only the laying rate, but also the behavior, size of the breed, and possibly the usefulness of the meat. The choice of breed will also affect whether you want the hens only for eggs or for meat. In the case of combined breeding, go for the so-called combined breeds (e.g. Sussex, Plymouth Rock), which are versatile and at the same time low-maintenance. For larger farms, quality facilities can also be useful – for example, tarpaulin halls, which will protect feed or equipment from adverse weather. ISA Brown hen breed Hybrid laying hens with excellent egg production, up to 320 eggs per year. They are known for their gentle nature, they easily adapt to the home environment and are also suitable for children.

Lohmann Brown Chicken Breed

It is very similar to the ISA Brown breed, they lay 300 eggs per year. Breeding these chickens is undemanding, suitable for small farms and they tolerate changes in the environment or feeding well.

Sussex Chicken Breed

It is a universal breed of chicken, which is suitable not only for eggs (it produces approximately 250 eggs per year), but also as a source of meat. They are robust, hardy and tolerate colder conditions well.

Domestic crossbred chickens

They are often a combination of local breeds that are very resistant to disease.They may have a lower and uneven egg production, but their vitality and ability to adapt to conditions is a big plus.

Australorp chicken breed

It is a lesser-known, but very productive breed of chicken.It can lay 250 to 300 eggs per year. They tolerate temperature fluctuations very well and are very calm.

What should a chicken coop look like?

A chicken coop is key to the breeding, health and productivity of chickens. It should meet the following parameters:

• Size – at least 0.5 m² per hen inside, with the more space, the better. With a larger number of hens, it is advisable to divide the space into a resting and laying area. The number of nests should be 1 for every 3 hens to avoid stress and fighting.
• Draft-free ventilation – fresh air is essential, but drafts are a risk. It is ideal to ensure natural ventilation using air vents with grilles or a ventilation flap. A window facing south or southeast is recommended to ensure enough light without overheating.
• Light – laying hens need approximately 14 hours of light per day. In winter, you can use LED lighting with a timer to ensure regular laying even during short days. Daylight has a great influence on the hormonal balance of hens.
• Floor – a wooden floor with a thick layer of straw, shavings or peat litter is best. This layer should be dry, with the possibility of regular replacement to prevent mold and disease.

Don’t forget about perches (minimum 20 cm of space per hen, ideally 5 to 7 cm in diameter, rounded edges), which should be placed higher than the nests so that the hens do not prefer the laying boxes at night. Nestslined with clean straw or hay should be placed in a quieter and shady part of the coop and checked regularly for cleanliness and parasites. As an alternative to traditional buildings, shipping containers can also serve, which can be easily adapted for poultry farming and at the same time offer a strong and durable construction.Roost and safety

When raising chickens, it is important to know that they need daily access to fresh air and green food. This contributes to their physical condition and better egg quality.

Partial shading of the run is also important – chickens tolerate heat worse than cold, so you need to create a shady place for them using bushes, a gazebo or a parasol. Last but not least, it is advisable to place a sandbox or a container with ash in the run where the chickens can bathe. Dust baths are a natural way to get rid of external parasites, such as mites or lice, and are also relaxing. If your run is located on a sloping plot, it is worth considering its arrangement – you can find inspiration in the article: Slope reinforcement: How to do it yourself and without great expense.

Feeding hens

Diet has a fundamental impact on egg laying, so it is important to provide hens with a balanced and high-quality diet. The basis of the diet is made up of grain mixtures such as wheat, corn and barley, which are supplemented with special mixtures intended for laying hens.