JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're thinking about keeping chickens

Backyard chickens are the hobby that looks simple until you're reading hardware cloth specs at 11pm and calculating square footage per bird. Here's the honest version: what to actually buy, what's overrated marketing, and the one coop sizing mistake every first-timer makes.

By Colin B. · Published May 27, 2026 · Last reviewed May 27, 2026
boy in blue t-shirt and blue shorts standing on green grass field during daytime

Photo by Zoe Richardson on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Precision Pet Hen Chicken Coop — A properly sized starter coop for 3-5 hens — easier to clean than wood and holds up in real weather.
  2. Purina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Starter — Purina's chick starter is what every vet and old-timer recommends — start here and don't overthink it.
  3. RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer with Horizontal Nipples — Nipple waterers keep water clean and save you from scrubbing a disgusting traditional waterer each morning.
Budget total
$450
Typical total
$950
First-year costs vary wildly based on your coop. Budget $450 minimum for a real setup — most beginners spend $800-1,200 once feed, brooder, and supplies are factored in.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
CoopPrecision PetPrecision Pet Hen Chicken Coop$$$ See on Amazon →
Brooder SetupBrinseaBrinsea EcoGlow Safety 600 Chick Brooder$$$ See on Amazon →
FeedPurinaPurina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Starter$$ See on Amazon →
Feeders & WaterersRentACoopRentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer with Horizontal Nipples$ See on Amazon →
Bedding & Coop CareSmall Pet SelectSmall Pet Select Pine Shavings Chicken Bedding (141L)$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Check your local ordinances before spending a dime. Many cities allow hens but ban roosters. Some cap the number of birds or require a permit. Search '[your city] backyard chicken ordinance' — five minutes now saves a lot of headaches later.

Start with 3-4 hens, not 8. 'Chicken math' is real — you'll want more birds than you planned. Start small, learn the rhythm, then add in year two when you know what you're doing.

Decide now: chicks or pullets. Baby chicks ($3-8 each) need 6-8 weeks of brooder care before they go outside. Pullets ($20-40 each) are near-adult hens that skip the brooder and start laying sooner. Chicks give you more breed selection and a longer laying life. Pullets are faster. Both are valid — just decide before you buy the brooder.

The gear

What you actually need

Coop

Your coop is the most expensive and most regretted purchase in this hobby. Most Amazon coops are sized for 2 birds while being marketed for 6, built from thin wood that rots after one wet winter, and designed by people who've never kept chickens. The real rule: 4 square feet per bird inside the coop, 10 square feet per bird in the run. Whatever the marketing says, cut the claimed bird count in half. Buy once, buy right — a coop that falls apart after one season means paying twice.

Coop — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

Compact (2–4 hens)

Small footprint; enough daily eggs for one or two people.

Coop floor
12–16 sq ft
Run
20–40 sq ft
Daily eggs
1–3

Best for Urban yards, renters, or trying chickens before committing long-term

Tradeoff Limited expansion room — hard to add birds without a new coop

Standard (4–8 hens)

The sweet spot — enough eggs, enough variety, manageable chores.

Coop floor
20–32 sq ft
Run
40–80 sq ft
Daily eggs
3–6

Best for Most beginners; a family's egg supply with room to spare

Tradeoff Larger assembly and higher upfront cost than a compact coop

↓ See our pick
Walk-In Setup (8–15 hens)

Serious production — build a run or buy a walk-in kit.

Coop floor
32–60 sq ft
Run
80–150 sq ft
Daily eggs
6–12

Best for Homesteaders or serious egg sellers with yard space to spare

Tradeoff Substantial cost ($1,500-3,000+) and meaningful daily chore commitment

Best starter
Precision Pet

Precision Pet Hen Chicken Coop

$$$

One of the few Amazon coops that survives honest reviews: solid wood construction, pull-out cleaning tray, and a fully enclosed run that's actually predator-resistant. Marketed for 4-6 birds — realistically comfortable for 3-4. Tall enough that you can reach in to clean without dislocating your shoulder, which matters more than it sounds after the first month.

What we like

  • Pull-out tray makes coop cleaning a 10-minute job, not 45
  • Fully enclosed run top — essential protection against aerial predators
  • Solid build that survives multiple winters with basic upkeep

What to know

  • Sized honestly for 4 birds, not the 6 the listing implies
  • Wood needs weatherproofing annually to stay in good shape
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Trixie

Trixie Natura Chicken Coop with Outdoor Run

$$

The most reliable of the budget coops. Trixie builds small-animal housing at scale and quality control is better than no-name brands at the same price. Good for 2-3 birds max, realistically. Smart starter for small urban yards or anyone not yet sure they'll stick with the hobby long-term.

What we like

  • Best quality control at the budget price point
  • Small footprint fits urban or rental-property yards

What to know

  • 2-bird capacity in practice — don't let the listing mislead you
  • Thin wood won't survive more than 2-3 winters without sealing
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Omlet

Omlet Eglu Go Chicken Coop

$$$$

The gold standard of small coops. Dual-wall insulated plastic keeps birds warm in winter and cool in summer, wipes down in minutes (no power-washing wood), and Omlet's run panels are predator-tested seriously. Expensive at $600+, but owners keep these for 15+ years. If you're committing to chickens, the math works.

What we like

  • Insulated plastic wipes clean in 10 minutes vs. an hour scrubbing wood
  • Predator-resistant run tested seriously against foxes and raccoons

What to know

  • $600+ is genuinely expensive for a 2-4 bird coop
  • Run is small — extension ($200+) essentially required for flocks over 3
See on Amazon →
white and pink rabbit plush toy on yellow plastic basin

Photo by Zoe Richardson on Unsplash

Brooder Setup

Baby chicks can't regulate their own temperature for the first 6-8 weeks of life — they need external heat at 95°F in week one, dropping 5°F each week until they're feathered out. Traditional heat lamps work, but they cause coop fires with alarming regularity (check any chicken forum). Electric brooder plates mimic a mother hen: chicks crawl underneath, self-regulate, and face zero fire risk. Get your heat source ready before chicks arrive — you will need it on day one.

Best starter
Brinsea

Brinsea EcoGlow Safety 600 Chick Brooder

$$$

No fire risk — that's the headline. Traditional heat lamps are the leading cause of coop and barn fires; read any chicken forum long enough and you'll find the horror stories. The EcoGlow mimics a mother hen: chicks crawl under the warm panel and regulate their own temperature naturally. It uses 18W instead of 250W, requires no hourly checks, and auto-adjusts height as chicks grow.

What we like

  • No fire risk — electric plates are dramatically safer than heat lamps
  • 18W draw vs 250W — runs all day without meaningful electricity cost
  • Chicks regulate their own temp naturally, which improves hardiness

What to know

  • Higher upfront cost than a heat lamp ($50-70 vs. $15)
  • Doesn't scale well for batches over 30 chicks
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Simple Deluxe

Simple Deluxe 250W Adjustable Clamp Lamp

$

The traditional brooding setup: a ceramic clamp socket with a 250W red infrared bulb (sold separately), hung over the brooder. At $25-35 complete, it's the cheapest entry into brooding — billions of chicks have been raised this way. The tradeoff is real: heat lamps are the leading cause of coop fires. Use ceramic (never plastic), double-secure the fixture, and check it often.

What we like

  • Cheapest possible setup — $20-30 for the complete kit
  • Works for any batch size; just add lamps for larger brooders

What to know

  • Leading cause of coop and barn fires — treat this seriously
  • Burns at 250W all day; your electricity bill will notice it
See on Amazon →
a couple of chickens that are standing in a box

Photo by Everest Louis on Unsplash

Feed

Chicken feed isn't one-size-fits-all. Baby chicks (0-8 weeks) need chick starter: high protein (18-20%), usually medicated with amprolium to prevent coccidiosis — the parasitic disease that kills a significant percentage of unprotected chicks. Teenagers (8-18 weeks) can continue on starter or switch to a grower feed. Laying hens need layer pellets with added calcium for shell production. The single most common mistake: switching to layer feed too early. Layer calcium damages young kidneys — wait until hens are 18+ weeks.

Best starter
Purina

Purina Start & Grow Medicated Chick Starter

$$

The brand every vet and most experienced keepers default to. Medicated with amprolium — a coccidiostat that prevents coccidiosis, the intestinal disease that's the #1 chick killer. You're not dosing your birds with heavy medication; you're blocking a specific parasite. The medicated version is the right default for most beginners whose birds will live on soil.

What we like

  • Medicated formula prevents coccidiosis — the #1 chick killer
  • Purina's quality control is the best in mass-market poultry feed
  • Crumble texture is easy for day-old chicks to eat immediately

What to know

  • Skip if chicks were vaccinated for cocci — medication cancels the vaccine
  • 25 lb bags require a lidded bin to stay dry and rodent-free
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Purina

Purina Layena+ Omega-3 Layer Pellets

$$

When hens start laying (18-20 weeks), they need the extra calcium in a layer feed for shell production. Layena+ adds omega-3s via flaxseed, which passes through into your eggs. Backyard eggs already have 3-5x the omega-3s of store eggs — Layena+ pushes that higher. Not marketing fluff; measurable in nutritional testing.

What we like

  • Omega-3 enriched via flaxseed — measurable difference in your eggs
  • Pellet format reduces waste vs. crumbles for adult laying hens
  • Consistent calcium levels mean consistent, strong shell quality

What to know

  • More expensive than generic layer feed — the omega-3 premium is real
  • Pellet size can be large; young pullets (18-20 weeks) may prefer crumbles
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Manna Pro

Manna Pro Non-Medicated Chick Starter

$

If your chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis at the hatchery — common with Marek's combo vaccine packs — medicated feed cancels the vaccination. Manna Pro's non-medicated starter is the right call in that case, and it's reliably available and priced lower than Purina. Ask your hatchery whether your chicks were vaccinated before deciding.

What we like

  • Right choice if chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis at the hatchery
  • Lower price than Purina without sacrificing core nutrition

What to know

  • No coccidiosis protection — cleanliness management becomes critical
  • Less available at farm stores than Purina in some rural areas
See on Amazon →
Brown chickens eating from a feeder on a sunny day

Photo by Lucas on Unsplash

Feeders & Waterers

Chickens will poop in open water within minutes of you setting it out. Traditional open font waterers require daily scrubbing and are a direct vector for coccidiosis. Nipple waterers — a simple tube with horizontal push-nipples — seal the water supply completely: birds tap a nipple to drink, nothing gets in. For feed: hanging feeders reduce waste significantly versus ground feeding and keep the feed dry. Get both set up before your chicks move in.

Best starter
RentACoop

RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer with Horizontal Nipples

$

The upgrade that saves the most daily labor in chicken keeping. Traditional open waterers get contaminated with bedding and poop within minutes. Nipple waterers seal the supply — birds push a horizontal nipple to drink, nothing gets in. This 1-gallon version handles 4-6 birds for around $25. It pays for itself in 10 minutes of saved daily scrubbing.

What we like

  • Sealed design keeps water clean indefinitely — no daily scrubbing
  • Horizontal nipples reduce drip mess vs. vertical nipple systems
  • Under $30 for a complete ready-to-hang system

What to know

  • Requires a training period — dip their beak to the nipple 2-3 times
  • Needs a water heater or indoor overnights in sub-freezing climates
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Harris Farms

Harris Farms Hanging Galvanized Poultry Feeder

$

A simple, reliable hanging feeder — galvanized steel resists rust, has drainage holes so rain runs off instead of pooling and souring the feed. Hung at bird shoulder height (raise as they grow), it cuts waste by stopping birds from flicking feed onto the ground. The standard answer before you want anything fancier.

What we like

  • Galvanized steel resists rust for years of outdoor use
  • Hanging design keeps feed off the ground, cutting waste

What to know

  • Open top — wild birds and rodents access it freely overnight
  • Feed gets wet in rain without a covered run or roof above
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Grandpa's Feeders

Grandpa's Feeders Automatic Chicken Feeder

$$$$

Rodent-proof, weather-proof, and completely automatic. The treadle (foot pedal) opens the lid only when a chicken steps on it — no sparrow, mouse, or rat can get in. At $150+, it's a luxury item. But if rodents are already a problem in your yard (open feeders draw them fast), it pays for itself in saved feed and skipped pest control. Most owners say they wish they'd bought it from the start.

What we like

  • Treadle mechanism locks out rodents and wild birds completely
  • Feed stays dry and fresh — no molding between fill-ups
  • Worth the $150 premium if rodents are already visiting your yard

What to know

  • 1-2 week training period before birds use it consistently
  • $150+ is expensive for a feeder — hard to justify until you see rodents
See on Amazon →
a close up of a pile of wood shavings

Photo by Slava Kompaniets on Unsplash

Bedding & Coop Care

The deep litter method — adding fresh bedding on top and turning it occasionally, with a full cleanout every 6-8 weeks — is the easiest approach and produces excellent garden compost. Use large flake pine shavings: absorbent, compostable, and cheap at farm stores. Avoid cedar (the aromatic oils irritate chicken airways) and fine sawdust (chicks inhale it). For smell between cleanouts, Sweet PDZ is the one product that actually works — it neutralizes ammonia at the source rather than masking it with fragrance.

Best starter
Small Pet Select

Small Pet Select Pine Shavings Chicken Bedding (141L)

$$

Large flake shavings are the gold standard for coop bedding: absorbent, compostable into excellent fertilizer, and easy to turn in the deep litter method. Small Pet Select's quality control is excellent — consistent flake size, no fine dust that causes respiratory issues, and ships in compressed bales that expand significantly. One bale covers a 4x6 coop with a full 3-4 inches of bedding.

What we like

  • Large flake absorbs moisture and odor better than fine shavings
  • Composts into excellent nitrogen-rich garden fertilizer
  • Dust-free quality safe for both adult hens and young chicks

What to know

  • Costs more per bale than bulk shavings at a farm store like Tractor Supply
  • Bulky bales — store in a dry covered space before opening
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Sweet PDZ

Sweet PDZ Horse Stall Refresher Granules

$

The best coop odor control product, and it's not close. Sweet PDZ is a naturally occurring zeolite mineral that adsorbs (not just absorbs) ammonia directly. Sprinkle under fresh shavings on the hot spots — under the roost bar is where 80% of the poop lands — and the eye-watering ammonia smell on a summer day drops dramatically. Safe for birds, adds no chemicals, composts fine.

What we like

  • Neutralizes ammonia at the source — not masking odor with scent
  • Safe for birds, composts cleanly alongside pine shavings
  • A 40 lb bag lasts months at normal coop use

What to know

  • Buy granular only — powder version creates respiratory dust
  • Additive only — doesn't replace regular full coop cleanouts
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Petpost

Petpost Compressed Pine Bedding for Chicken Coops

$

Compressed blocks look small but expand 3-4x when fluffed — one block covers a 4x6 coop with a full layer of bedding. Cheaper per cubic foot than pre-fluffed bagged shavings, much easier to store before opening. The go-to for anyone without a farm store nearby who doesn't want to pay premium shaving prices.

What we like

  • Expands 3-4x when opened — much more bedding than the size suggests
  • Cheaper per cubic foot than typical pre-fluffed bagged shavings

What to know

  • Harder to break apart than loose shavings — a pitchfork helps
  • Slightly dustier than premium shavings when first fluffed
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first 8 weeks of backyard chickens

Getting chicks is easy. Keeping them alive and thriving through the first two months is where the learning happens. Here's what to expect, what to watch for, and when to stop worrying.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Automatic coop door opener — Nice for sleeping in, but at $100-200 it's a year-two purchase once you know you're committed to the hobby.
  • Egg incubator — You can't hatch eggs without a rooster, and you probably don't have one. Save this for year two when you're thinking about expanding the flock yourself.
  • Chicken saddles / hen aprons — These protect hens' backs from overzealous mating. Only relevant if you have a rooster — without one, they're just fabric decorations.
  • Fermented feed setup — Fermented feed improves gut health and feed efficiency, but it's an advanced technique. Master the basics of dry feed first.
  • Diatomaceous earth — Frequently oversold as a cure-all for mites. It helps when applied correctly, but get your setup solid before adding supplements to the rotation.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Check your city's backyard chicken ordinance — search '[city name] backyard chicken ordinance'. Look for hen limits, rooster bans, and setback requirements from property lines. · Action
  2. Decide chicks vs. pullets and source them. Local feed stores carry chicks in spring. Hatcheries ship them via USPS directly to your door. · Action
  3. Set up your brooder BEFORE chicks arrive. You need heat, water, and feed ready on day one — chicks are fragile in transit and need to warm up immediately. · Action
  4. Order your brooder heat source so it arrives before the chicks do. · Buy
  5. Buy chick starter feed and set up your waterer before the chicks arrive. · Buy
  6. Inspect your run for gaps bigger than half an inch. Hardware cloth (not chicken wire) should cover any opening — raccoons reach through chicken wire and pull birds through. Predator-proofing is the most skipped step and the most regretted. · Action
  7. Tell your neighbors. A heads-up (and eggs once they start laying) keeps the relationship smooth in dense neighborhoods. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

How many eggs will I get per week?

A healthy laying hen produces about 5-6 eggs per week at peak production (spring and summer). Production drops in fall and winter as daylight decreases, and slows significantly after age 3-4. Four hens at peak production give a family more eggs than most can eat.

Do I need a rooster to get eggs?

No. Hens lay eggs regardless of whether a rooster is present — unfertilized eggs are the same thing as commercial eggs. You only need a rooster if you want to hatch chicks. Most urban ordinances ban roosters anyway due to noise.

What's the #1 predator threat for backyard chickens?

Raccoons, by a wide margin. They're smart, strong, and nocturnal — and they will reach through chicken wire and pull birds apart. Use hardware cloth (half-inch mesh, 19 gauge or heavier) on any opening in your run. 'Chicken wire' keeps chickens in but doesn't keep predators out.

When do chickens start laying?

Most common breeds begin laying at 18-24 weeks old. Production breeds (ISA Browns, Golden Comets) can start closer to 16 weeks. Heritage and dual-purpose breeds can take 24-30 weeks. You'll notice the comb and wattles redden noticeably about 2-4 weeks before the first egg.

How much does it cost per year after setup?

Feed runs $20-30 per month for 4-6 birds (around $300/year). Bedding adds $50-100. Vet visits are rare but possible. Total annual ongoing cost is typically $400-600 for a small flock — offset by eggs if you value them at store prices.

What breeds should a beginner start with?

For reliable egg production and calm temperament: Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, and Barred Plymouth Rocks are the classic beginner trifecta. Black Sex-Links and ISA Browns lay more eggs but have shorter productive lives. Avoid Leghorns (flighty) and bantams (low production) for your first flock.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • BackyardChickens.com — The largest backyard chicken community online. Not a gear guide — a forum. Search specific questions (breed comparisons, illness symptoms, predator identification) and read multiple threads.
  • The Chicken Chick — Kathy Shea Mormino — The best single-author resource for beginner chicken keepers. Well-cited, practical, and opinionated in the right ways. Her coccidiosis and deep litter articles are essential reading.
  • Meyer Hatchery Blog — Practical husbandry articles from a working hatchery. Breed guides, seasonal care, and chick troubleshooting — all grounded in actual flock management.
  • Purina Poultry Learning Center — Feed recommendations and life-stage guidance from the leading poultry feed brand. Vet-reviewed content on cocci, molting, egg production, and flock health.
  • State Extension Poultry Programs — State extension services publish free, peer-reviewed guides on backyard flock management. Search your state + 'poultry extension' for local breed and climate-specific advice.
  • My Pet Chicken Breed Selector — Filter breeds by temperament, egg color, climate tolerance, and production level. The most practical breed comparison tool for beginners choosing their first flock.

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