Thinking about getting some chickens for your backyard? These feathered animals can bring a lot of excellent benefits, from having fresh eggs ready to fry up the next morning to acting as a natural fertilizer. But let’s be honest, chickens won’t suit every outdoor space. Some gardens just aren’t the best fit for them, whether it’s because of size or layout. So it’s not as easy as you might think. But don’t worry, we’ve got everything you need to know about building a suitable backyard for chickens right in this article.
Check Local Laws and Regulations
Some people think getting chickens is as easy as buying them and tossing them in a coop, but there’s actually more to it than that. As a property owner, you’ve got to check out the rules and regulations for your area before you give them a home.
Lots of places have guidelines in place to prevent biosecurity issues that could put everyone at risk. On top of that, the authorities want to make sure chickens are being well taken care of so all animal welfare laws are adhered to.
Don’t forget that chickens are animals at the end of the day, and they can be pretty smelly. There could be specific regional laws about how they should be cared for and how you manage their waste, so it’s a good idea to read up on those details, too.
Evaluate Space Requirements for Coops and Runs
Spacing will vary quite a bit with coops and runs. You’ve got to figure out how many chickens you plan on having.
The more you own, the bigger your wooden coop and run need to be. In an ideal world, you’d go as large as possible, but in reality, you must work with the space in your backyard. Even if everything technically fits, you don’t want the whole area feeling cramped where the chickens are taking over. Another thing to consider is protection. Plenty of sneaky predators out there would love to eat your chickens if they could. A solid fence around your coop and run is a must to keep them safe.
Consider Environmental and Yard Conditions
A chicken coop can set you back anywhere from around $100 to $4000. When you’re dropping that kind of cash, you’ll want to ensure your yard’s ready for it before you go all in.
If you’re living somewhere that gets plenty of rain, watch out for the parts of your yard that flood. The last thing you want is to stick your coop in a spot that turns into a mud pit every time it rains. It will totally wreck your setup. Pick a flat, dry location so you don’t have to deal with any soggy disasters later on.
Don’t forget that chickens need plenty of sunlight to stay healthy, just like we do. In cold climates, they often struggle to get enough of it. For those of you who live somewhere chilly, you’ll want to grab some UV light bulbs to fit into their pen for an extra boost.
Account for Noise, Odor, and Neighborhood Impact
Noise and smell are two of the biggest downsides of owning chickens. Unfortunately, it’s just part of who they are. You can’t escape it, but you can stay on top of it so it doesn’t cause problems between you and your neighbors. Setting up your chicken coop somewhere that causes minimal disturbance is a good place to start. Hide it down the very back of your yard, away from fences and neighbors’ windows, so the clucking and any funky smells don’t bother anyone. Even with a good setup, you’ll still need to roll up your sleeves for regular cleanups to keep the smell in check. It’s not the most glamorous part of owning chickens, but it has to be done.
One more thing you could do is give your neighbors a heads-up before you bring the chickens home. A quick conversation can go a long way. If they know what’s coming, they’ll be way less likely to kick up a fuss later on.
Understand Daily Care and Long-Term Commitment
Chickens are like any other pets. They need to be taken care of properly and given the attention they deserve if you’re in it for the long haul. You’ll have to handle all the daily tasks.
That means feeding them, giving them fresh water, cleaning out their coop, and checking up on them to make sure everything’s running smoothly. Missing any of these jobs even once could result in a sad situation. Any time you need to head out somewhere for longer than a day, someone will have to step in and take care of them. You can’t just leave them alone; without proper care, they’ll struggle to survive.
As your chickens get older, you must educate yourself on how to deal with their aging process and how it impacts their egg production. Being prepared for these changes will make caring for them a whole lot easier down the line.
Is Your Backyard Ready for the Chickens?
So, what do you think? Is your backyard chicken ready yet? It’s clear that there’s a lot more work involved in housing these little guys than you might have thought. You could say it’s almost like a part-time job, but if you commit, the rewards will be totally worth it.
