INTRODUCTION...

Hi there! Welcome to the beginners guide to backyard poultry keeping from us here at PrimaryPoultry! Theres a mass of information online and in books, a lot of it confusing. Here’s our views and recommendations to help you get the most out of this rewarding hobby as simply and easily as possible!

Keeping chickens is getting more and more popular due to their unique and entertaining behaviours -  and obviously the fresh eggs they provide us! They really are a pleasure to own and to watch them go about their day scratching the ground on the hunt for grubs and insects is time well spent in our book!

 This is a slightly longer post, but we have tried our best to condense the information best we can. If you require further info, we have a many posts on all topics regarding poultry care.

 For now though… let's start with the basics.

Getting Started / Basic Needs

From space and correct feed to health checkups, read on to find out more.

 Space

Lets start with space. Chickens need ample space for several reasons which all contribute to their general health and well-being. Space for the coop to live, and space for them to scratch, peck, dust bathe and forage - whether this be a run, or if you decide to have them free range with no run. If going the run route, make sure that each bird has roughly 10 feet per chicken for standard breeds.

 Coop

Coop selection can seem daunting, but it really isn’t. Let us tell you what we think works best for newbies.

When selecting a coop, its important to consider the following factors:

• Ease of assembly - self explanatory - why make it harder for yourself?
• Ventilation - Proper airflow is essential to prevent respiratory issues.
• Ease of cleaning - self explanatory, some coops come with removable trays and easy access doors to aide in cleaning.
• Space - Ensure the coop provides enough room for the number of chickens you plan to keep. (Roughly 4ft per chicken inside the coop)
• Durability - ensure that the coop is well made and ready to stand up to years of weathering and use.
• Predator prevention - A secure, sturdy construction with strong latches to keep Mr. Fox out!
• Nest boxes and roosting bars - These provide places for your birds to lay eggs and sleep respectively.

 Quick note: When on the hunt for a coop, make sure it has all these properties and your coop will be more than adequate for your flock!

 You can of course make your own coop but for this beginners guide we will stick to pre-fabricated coops you can buy at any half decent pet store or off the internet.

 When choosing a location to put your coop, a little bit of protection from the elements will make it survive a lot longer and give the birds a bit of relief from storms etc.

 Feed

 This isn’t as difficult as it seems. When you Google chicken feed you are overwhelmed by the choices. But it really comes down to this…

 Chicks will be fed Chick crumb - Fine grain high in protein to help them develop.

 Grower feed for birds from 6-8 to18 - 20 weeks old - slightly lower protein than chick crumb.

 Layer pellets - this is for the laying hens starting around 18 - 20 weeks old. - about 16% protein and added calcium for eggshell production.

Thats the basic three types of feed, you can and will need to provide...

 - Primary feed - Normal feed appropriate for their life stage previously stated.

 - Supplements - Grains, veg, fruits, protein and calcium

 - Treats - You can give your chickens kitchen scraps and insects in moderation.

 - Essentials - Fresh water and grit.

 A quick word on the grit we just mentioned…

Grit is used to help chickens digest food in their gizzard, it is especially important for free range chickens who eat whole grains and table scraps.

We have posts delving deeper into feed on our site if you need more info!

 Bedding

 Bedding is what you put down inside the coop to retain warmth, provide comfort and soak up any liquids.

It is important to keep their bedding clean and dry and be sure to change it frequently to keep them happy and laying for you. It also can help prevent the spread of illness which is always good.

 We use straw and wood shavings as these provide great heat insulation and are great at soaking up moisture.

 Your hens do not want to be in a damp and smelly home so regular clear outs and fresh bedding will be rewarded in happy, healthy hens.

 Health monitoring

 Regular health checkups of your flock is very important. Chickens can suffer from colds to more obscure illnesses and issues of which we have a post on our website for you to find out what to look out for. Generally you will be able to see if a chicken isn’t 100% by noticing the following:

 Feathers - Any feather loss? Do they look healthy and full?

 Eyes - Cloudy or dull eyes may indicate illness

 Comb and wattles - Unless a type of breed excludes this, combs and wattles should be vibrant and not discoloured.

 Weight - have they lost a substantial amount of weigh or stopped feeding?

 Activity - Happy, healthy birds are alert and active. Chickens that seem lethargic could indicate illness

 Egg quality - changes in egg quality or irregularities may indicate health issues

 Respiratory issues - look out for sneezing, wheezing or discharge. These could point to a potential problem.

 Parasites - External parasites aren’t nice - check for constant scratching or pecking.

 Knowing what is usual and unusual will help you identify if there is a problem. Early finds can prevent more serious problems!

 

So then... Selecting the perfect breed for newbies

 When picking a breed to start off your backyard chicken journey, there are a few factors to consider. Temperament and egg production being two of them. With cold hardiness being another.

 We will say that we DO NOT recommend getting roosters at this point, leave that for another day.

 Here's our 4 recommendations;

 

Light Sussex

 Lets start off with what many people regard as the best breed for newbies in the world of backyard chickens. The Light Sussex is a large, gentle and docile bird hailing from Sussex county in England. Renowned for its exceptional egg laying, these birds are a favourite of the hobby.

 

Easily distinguished by there pristine white plumage with black on their neck and tail, with red combs, wattles and earlobes and pinkish-white legs giving them a traditional farmyard appearance welcome in any flock.

 They are a medium large breed, with hens growing to around 3.2kg and roosters reaching around 4kg.

 Light Sussex are known for their docile and friendly nature, they are comfortable being picked up and easy to handle making the great for families and novice keepers, which is why we placed it first in this guide. Their calm temperament means they can integrate well within mixed flocks with no trouble or disturbance.

 These are prolific layers, producing around 250 - 300 large brown eggs a year. They do frequently go broody in the warm months, so will sit on eggs if given the chance. They are generally good mothers so are a good choice for those interested in raising chicks.

 If looked after properly, they will live around 6-8 years in most climates. Being an English breed they are used to inclement weather and are adaptable to most climates maintaining good health even in harsher conditions.

 They are lovers of foraging, so expect them to scratch around while they search for worms and insects enjoying being free range birds.

 If you are new or not to poultry keeping, you cant go wrong with the Light Sussex. Their forgiving nature will let you get used to the hobby and won’t cause you any trouble while you learn the ropes. Give them a clean environment, good feed and a place to dustbath and scratch around and they will be a pleasure to own.

 Brahma

 The distinctive Brahma - large, docile and affectionate.

 Originating in the USA from birds imported from China, the Brahma is an impressive bird and one of the largest chicken breeds. Adult males can reach 5kgs in weight and hens can reach 4.5kgs!

 They are robust with a deep chest and long back with dense, soft feathers giving them a fluffy appearance. They have Feathered legs and toes too! Ensure to keep these clean as they can get mud and dirt stuck in their leg feathers.

 They have a small comb and relatively small wattles making them a good choice in colder climates as they are less susceptible to frost bite.

 Brahmas are known for their calm temperament ofter referred to as “gentle giants”. They are very friendly making them another great choice for beginners and families. They can be very affectionate too which is always a good trait to have.

 Brahmas are good mothers and can be quite broody making them a good choice for natural incubation and raising chicks - but lets keep things simple in this one... we will have a post / guide for raising and incubating chicks coming soon.

Egg production-wise the hens produce medium to large brown eggs and they typically lay between 140 - 150 eggs a year with peak production in the colder months.

  A note on feeding, due to their large size, Brahmas have higher nutritional needs that other breeds, a balanced diet is crucial for health and egg productivity.

With their size again, they require more room inside the coop and run than others, so make sure too give them ample room for their large bodies.

 Brahmas are quite a hardy bird and are more resistant to common poultry diseases, but as we stated before regular check ups are must to ensure a healthy happy flock.

 Rhode Island Red

 Hailing from… erm… Rhode Island, USA, the Rhode Island Red is another great choice for beginners. Great egg production and can come in standard and bantam varieties.

 A lovely mottled brown colour with a bright red comb and wattle with soft feathers, makes this an admirable breed.

 They are a hardy bird able survive in slightly harsher conditions and are generally a friendly breed, however roosters can be assertive. They love to forage around eating pretty much whatever they catch. They also adapt well to a variety of environments making them able to get comfortable in a new home relatively quick.

 Rhode Island Reds are known to be less broody than others, so you don’t have to worry about them sitting on eggs but at the same time might not make a great choice for hatching and rearing chicks.

 High egg production is another reason to go for these birds. They produce 200 - 300 large brown eggs a year!

 Room requirements-wise, they don’t require anything out of the ordinary; 4 feet per bird inside the coop and one nesting box per 3 or 4 hens.

Their hardiness, productivity and docile nature makes this a great selection for novices and experienced keepers alike!

 Plymouth Rock

 Plymouth Rocks are magnificent chickens and come in a variety of colours. The most common being the Barred Plymouth Rock, but can come in white, buff, partridge and others.

Large than some other breeds, adult hens being roughly 3.2kg and roosters being around 3.8kgs.

 Again, friendly birds and are known to be easy to handle making them great for families with children

 Good egg layers, producing 200-280 brown eggs a year.

 Like the Rhode Island Reds, they love to forage around looking for a meal but also can adapt well to confinement if that ever needed to happen for any reason.

 A note on egg laying, as hens get older their egg production may and will decline. This is nothing to worry about and is completely normal - its just the way it is. If they are not that old and egg production has slowed right down then this could be a sign of an ill or unhappy hen and should be investigated!

 

Conclusion

 This is undeniably a highly rewarding hobby to pursue, not only in the amazing fresh eggs they provide, but just getting up in the morning and watching them with your morning coffee for an hour is perfect. They have individual personalities and are some of the most amusing animals you can watch.

 

Remember to provide a safe and comfortable environment and a balanced diet with regular health checks to ensure a healthy and happy flock.

 

We have many posts and guides on poultry keeping, so if there’s anything you are stuck either then be sure to give those a read as theres loads of valuable information on our page!

 

If you are still stuck then give us an email! We will be sure to get back to you!

What breed will you be selecting to begin your poultry keeping journey?

Embrace the learning process and go for it - you will not regret it!