So, you’re thinking about getting chickens? Maybe you dream of farm-fresh eggs every morning, or perhaps you just want a few feathery companions clucking around your yard. Either way, welcome to the wonderful world of chicken keeping! Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to start your own backyard flock.

Why Chickens? Because They’re the Ultimate Multi-Taskers

Chickens aren’t just about the eggs—though let’s be real, that’s a huge perk. These feathery little dinosaurs do more for your garden than you might think:

1. Fresh Eggs, of Course!

The biggest draw to backyard chickens is the promise of delicious, nutrient-packed eggs. Unlike store-bought eggs that have been sitting around for who-knows-how-long, (never mind the recent egg shortages in the supermarket) your hens will provide fresh eggs with golden yolks and rich flavour. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to walk out, collect your breakfast, and give your hens a nod of appreciation.

Backyard Laid Eggs in a Variety of Colours and Sizes

2. Built-In Pest Control

Chickens are natural foragers and will happily devour garden pests like fruit flies, cockroaches, slaters, ticks, and grasshoppers. They’ll even chase down a fly with the enthusiasm of a toddler hyped up on sugar. 

3. Free Fertiliser

Chicken poo is the ultimate black gold for your garden. Being natural composters, chickens turn our kitchen scraps, garden waste and pests, into their poo which in turn becomes a nutrient-rich fertiliser that makes your plants thrive. Just don’t apply it directly on your crops until it has been well composted as it is very potent and will burn your plants.

4. Endless Entertainment

Chickens are oddly hilarious. They have big personalities, they get excited about the smallest things (like a juicy worm), and they have dramatic disputes over who gets to sit in the best nesting box—even when three others are open.

Presley the Polish Rooster is Personality Personified!

5. Great Pets for Kids

If you have children, chickens are fantastic low-maintenance pets. They teach responsibility, provide endless amusement, and many breeds are docile enough to be handled and cuddled. Kids love collecting eggs, feeding them treats, and even naming their feathery friends (prepare for some questionable name choices). Plus, chickens can be surprisingly affectionate once they get used to their humans.

Gracie the Australorp Hen

Choosing the Right Breed for You

Not all chickens are created equal! Different breeds suit different needs, so picking the right one can make or break your chicken-keeping experience. Before choosing a breed, think about your climate, space, and what you want from your flock. A little research goes a long way!

• Best Egg Layers: If your goal is maximum egg production, breeds like Hylines, Rhode Island Reds, and Australorps (see image below) will keep your breakfast table stocked.
  
• Great for Families & Beginners: BantamSilkiesare ideal if you have children or are new to chicken keeping as they are extremely docile and love a cuddle with their humans. Due to their small size, they roost quite low to the ground and may even decide they prefer to roost in a low shrub or tree instead.
  
  

• Fancy & Fun Breeds: Want chickens that look as entertaining as they act?
  Polish, Frizzles, and Silkies bring personality and unique feather styles to the coop.

• Heritage Breeds: Heritage Breeds such as Plymouth Rocks, Aracauna's, Sussex, and Wynandottes can live a long time - over 10 years, and can produce eggs semi-regularly up till about 7-8 years of age. These hens are prone to periods of broodiness but make excellent mothers if you wish to raise chicks. 

We love this Chicken Venn Diagram from Hannah Moloney of Good Life Permaculture

What Do Chickens Need? Spoiler Alert: More Than Just Your Leftover Veggies

Before you bring home a few feathery friends, make sure you’ve got the essentials covered:

1. A Safe and Sturdy Coop

Your coop is your flock’s fortress. It should be predator-proof - think roaming cats, foxes, and the neighbour’s nosy dog. It also needs to be well-ventilated, and spacious enough to keep your birds happy. They need a high roosting bar to sleep, and nesting boxes inside the chicken house, and at least 1m² per bird in an outdoor run. If you live in a hot climate, a mister system is useful to have in the summer months. 

Simple Backyard Chicken House - Perfect for a Couple of Silkies

2. Bedding

Hemp, pine shavings, or even sand make good bedding options to keep the coop clean and comfy. Trust me, a smelly coop is no fun for you OR your hens. I try to avoid straw in the chicken coop as straw bales can be home to red mites which your chickens will not thank you for. It is also nice to add in some dried herbs from the garden - think rosemary, lavender, wormwood which all help to deter pests. A healthy sprinkling of diatomaceous earth will also help with pest control. 

Chicken's Roosting in Hen House at Night.

3. Nutritious Food and Fresh Water

Chickens need a balanced diet— a good quality layer feed for protein, occasional kitchen scraps, and access to grit to help digest food -(you can recycle your copious amounts of egg shells for this). And always, always have clean, fresh water available. A thirsty chicken is an very unhappy and potentially unwell chicken.

4. Nesting Boxes

If you want eggs, you’ll need nesting boxes—one for every 3-4 hens. Line them with hemp, or soft wood shavings and be prepared for at least one hen to decide that laying in your flower pot is a better option.

5. Room to Roam

If possible, let your chickens free-range. They’ll scratch, peck, and aerate your soil, making your garden healthier. Just be warned: chickens are terrible at understanding “stay out of the tomatoes" so be prepared to protect any plants you don't want them eating.

Plymouth Rocks Hen

6. Dust Bath

Chickens dust bath to help them naturally control lice. You can make up a simple wooden box or repurpose a child's paddling pool, and fill it with sand, ash and charcoal from wood fires and diatomaceous earth. It ideally should be kept dry at all times, particularly in winter.

An old Paddling Pool Makes a Great Dust Bath for your Chickens

Check Your Local Regulations and Have a Neighbourly Chat

Before you get too carried away with visions of fresh eggs and happy hens, check your local council regulations regarding backyard chickens. Some areas have restrictions on the number of birds you can keep, whether roosters are allowed (hint: they usually aren’t in urban settings), and how far your coop must be from property lines. It’s definitely best to do your homework before setting up your coop—better to be safe than to have to re-home your flock later. I always think it is good to involve the neighbours and let them know your plans. We usually find that sharing a few eggs with your neighbours every now and then will help keep them sweet and more likely to put up with the occasional noisy wakeup call at 6am on a Sunday! It might also be an option to share the care of the chickens with your neighbours if they like the idea of keeping chickens, but don't necessarily have the time or space to devote to chicken keeping full time.

Silkie Chickens Make Great Low Maintenance Family Pets

The Not-So-Glamorous Side of Chicken Keeping

While chickens are wonderful, let’s not pretend it’s all sunshine and egg-filled baskets. They can be messy, noisy (yes, even the hens have been known to do the occasional crow), and occasionally frustrating when they decide to roost in inappropriate places. You’ll need to clean the coop regularly, give certain chickens with a pre-disposition to getting mucky vents a bath every now and then, and accept that at some point, you’ll be chasing a wayward hen down the driveway in your PJ's. You also need to be prepared to become an amateur chicken doctor should any medical issues arise such as your chicken becoming egg bound, getting an impacted crop, or succumb to any number of chicken diseases such as bumble foot. Fortunately, most things can be remedied without a trip to the vet and some simple home remedies.

Final Thoughts: Are You Ready for the Chicken Life?

Keeping chickens is rewarding, fun, and slightly chaotic—but in the best way. They’ll give you fresh eggs, keep your garden healthy, and provide endless entertainment. Just make sure you’re ready to commit to their care, and they’ll reward you with years of companionship (and occasional sass).

Now, go forth and build that coop! Your feathery overlords await! 

Want to know more about keeping Chickens? Check out this this clucking awesome book -  Backyard Poultry - Naturally by Alanna Moore. Available in store or online. 

And check out this blog for our Top Tips for Keeping Chickens Cool in Summer!