Do you love a perfectly cooked egg but are filled with boiling rage thinking about the cost of a fresh dozen? The solution might be to share your property with some treasured feathered friends, but there’s a lot to consider before setting up your own egg production line. If you have the space and inclination to raise your own chickens, it’s a good start… but only a start. He is However, it is possible and not as daunting as you might think.

“Chickens are surprisingly low-maintenance…until they aren’t,” writes Anne Hinman of Chicken Coop Company on her official blog. “While they don’t need constant attention, they do need some daily and weekly tasks to keep them happy, healthy and calm. And the truth is, the best way to discover what you’re willing to do, and how to make it easier, is to do it.”

And to get started, first make sure everything is legal. Check your local city ordinances to see if there are restrictions in your neighborhood on keeping chickens and, if so, if there are regulations on how many you can keep.

After that, you’ll want to evaluate your property to judge what size chicken coop or containment area you’ll be able to safely and comfortably install. A good rule of thumb is that the area should have room for a full-size chicken coop (large enough for you to stand to collect eggs and shovel manure) or a chicken coop (which can be smaller). The area should contain a feeder and water bowls, a resting area, and a nest for every three hens. And the structure has to be strong and protected enough to protect itself from predators.

According to the University of Missouri Extension, a medium-sized chicken needs at least 3 square feet of space inside the coop and 8 to 10 square feet outdoors. Since overcrowding can lead to disease, the more space you give your chickens, the healthier they will be.

You also have to take into account the cost. Of course, it all depends on whether or not you plan to build the structures yourself or hire labor, but considering materials, time, and all that, you can expect to spend between $700 and $1,000 for a proper setup (or upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 for automated and AI-enabled smart options). Not to mention, you’ll pay about $20 for a 50-pound bag of feed, which has a variable shelf life depending on how many chickens you have.

Other important things to keep in mind

• Chickens need food and water daily.
• Chickens will lay eggs during the spring, summer, and fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of sunlight. You will probably collect eggs daily, or perhaps even twice a day.
• Shoveling manure is a task that should be done year-round to ensure the safety and health of your chickens.
• And just like pets, if you’re going on vacation, you’ll need to hire a babysitter. Keep in mind that getting someone to watch your flock may not be as easy as finding someone to walk your dog. It’s much more complicated.
• Your chicken coop or coop should be weatherproof to avoid getting (and disturbing) your chickens.
• Good ventilation is also important. The coop should be cool in summer and warm in winter without being too humid, stuffy or drafty. Not only will it affect the health of your chickens, but it can also promote mold growth and other problems that can damage the overall structure.
• Chickens need nest boxes where they can lay their eggs. As we mentioned, one box is recommended for every three chickens, but if more can fit, even better.
• In addition to a clear, ventilated and spacious coop, chickens need an outside area where they can run or even sleep without fearing predators (or fleeing). A good fence is vital.

And that should get you started! Of course, there are countless online resources, like the University of Minnesota Extension or even the Farmers’ Almanac, for more detailed and specific advice.

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