Raising Hens in Your Backyard 🐓✨

Backyard hens are more than just egg machines - they’re entertaining, quirky little companions that give your garden life, eggs, and endless peeps of joy. But before you dive in, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s how to raise happy, healthy hens right in your own backyard.

1. Check Your Local Rules

Before anything, make sure you’re allowed to keep chickens. Many towns have restrictions on flock size, coop placement, or roosters. Know the rules - your neighbors (and city fines) will thank you.

2. Pick the Right Breed

Chickens come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities:

Egg layers: Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps - prolific and dependable.
Friendly backyard companions: Plymouth Rocks, Sussex, Orpingtons - gentle, calm, great for families.
Mini/bantam breeds: Small spaces, adorable personalities, fewer eggs - perfect for urban yards.

3. Build a Safe, Comfortable Coop

Hens need a cozy, predator-proof home.

Space: 2–3 sq ft per hen inside the coop, 8–10 sq ft in the run.
Nest boxes: 1 per 3–4 hens, filled with clean bedding.
Ventilation: Fresh air is essential, but avoid drafts at roost level.
Protection: Make sure the coop is secure against raccoons, foxes, and neighborhood cats.

4. Feed and Hydration

Good food = healthy hens = happy eggs.

Starter feed: For chicks under 18 weeks.
Layer feed: Once they start laying eggs, provide feed rich in protein and calcium.
Treats & foraging: Leafy greens, veggie scraps, and bugs are great supplements.
Fresh water: Always available. Frozen water in winter? Change often or use a heated waterer.

5. Daily Care & Enrichment

Hens thrive with routine and stimulation:

Clean coop and nesting boxes regularly.
Provide dust baths for parasite control and fun.
Add perches, branches, and safe objects to peck at for mental enrichment.
Check for signs of illness - lethargy, odd droppings, or feather loss.

6. Integrate Hens with Your Garden

Chickens can help with natural pest control and fertilization.
Rotate them out of delicate plant beds to avoid damage.
Use mulch, raised beds, and strategic fencing to protect veggies.

Food Tips & Ideas + ⚠ Warnings

✨ Offer occasional kitchen scraps for enrichment: carrot tops, pumpkin, leafy greens.
✨ Herbs like oregano or thyme can support flock health.
⚠ Avoid toxic foods (tomato leaves, rhubarb, avocado skins).
⚠ Never overcrowd - stress reduces egg production and increases illness risk.

Bottom line? Raising hens in your backyard is a joyful, rewarding venture. With the right coop, food, care, and enrichment, you’ll have happy hens producing fresh eggs, enriching your garden, and brightening your days.

Remember to check local regulations, prioritize the well-being of your feathered friends, and enjoy the joys of chicken keeping.