So You Want to Raise Chickens? Cluck Around and Find Out
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Thinking about raising chickens? Congratulations—you’re about to become the proud parent of the noisiest, sassiest, most egg-cellent backyard crew around.
Here at GrayLou Farm, chickens are part of the family (whether they like it or not). And while they’re fun, fluffy, and fantastic at producing breakfast, they also come with a few quirks. So we’ve put together a list of tried-and-true tips for first-time (or forgetful) chicken keepers.
🐣 1. Don’t Name Them All... But You Will
We started off saying we wouldn’t name our birds. Three days in, we had Jade, Sapphire, Ruby , Turkey ...and the list goes on. Just accept it: names are coming.
🏠 2. Predator-Proof Like It’s Fort Knox
If you think your coop is secure, make it more secure. Raccoons have thumbs. Hawks have timing. And we’re pretty sure foxes moonlight as lockpickers. Hardware cloth > chicken wire. Every. Time. AND USE SCREWS AND WASHERS NOT STAPLES
💩 3. Yes, They Poop. A Lot.
Don’t let the cute fluff fool you—these girls are poop factories. Deep litter method? Game changer. Also, chicken poop makes fantastic compost. So it’s gross... but useful gross.
🍳 4. They Don’t All Lay Golden Eggs
Eggs come when they feel like it—especially in winter. You’ll swear someone’s slacking. (They are.) Add a light to extend daylight hours or just accept the seasonal drama.
💅 5. Chickens Are Extra
They’ll have 10 acres to roam and still scream at the back door. Spoil them with scraps and they’ll act like they’re entitled to grapes on demand. It’s farm life, but make it diva.
🧠 6. Chickens Remember. And Judge.
Be nice. Chickens have excellent memories. They’ll remember if you changed their bedding late, or brought kale instead of corn. The side-eye is real.
🌱 7. Free-Range? Sure. If You Love Hide-and-Seek
Letting your birds free-range is awesome for them—and cardio for you. Be prepared to find eggs in flowerpots, boots, or under the mower.
🧺 8. Eggs Are Best Fresh... Unless You Forget Them
You’ll collect them religiously for weeks. Then forget one. Then discover it in July. Pro tip: Float test. If it floats, don’t.
🐓 9. Chicken Math Is Real
You’ll get “just six.” Somehow you end up with 22. Chicken math is an unsolvable mystery of the universe. Just roll with it.
❤️ 10. They’ll Steal Your Heart (and Your Tomatoes)
There’s something weirdly magical about having chickens. They keep you grounded, they make you laugh, and they’ll eat your garden if you’re not looking. But honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ready to get started? Don’t forget—we share helpful articles and resources on the regular, because no one should raise chickens alone.
Stay clucky,
The GrayLou Farm Family