You’ve decided that a beautiful flock of chickens is in your future, but the sheer amount of breeds available seems overwhelming. Not to worry! Keep reading for some simple tips to take that winged worry and turn it into proud poultry confidence in no time.

Check Your Local Laws

Every city will have something to say about raising chickens, so make sure you’re speaking the same language. You may have restrictions on how many birds you can keep, if roosters are permitted, and parameters for the size of your coop. As a chronic- rule follower (maybe you are, too) this is a great place to start.

Define Why You Want Chickens

Does the idea of collecting eggs to fry for breakfast in the morning get you daydreaming of your own flock? Is the prospect of a freshly roasted meal on the dinner table more appealing? Maybe you’re like me and you want a bunch of chatty friends and everything else is an added benefit (my husband is in it for the eggs). Whatever the reasons, make sure you’re clear on them and don’t compromise. It may be tempting to get a particular breed of chicken based on looks alone, but if it wasn’t bred to do what you’re hoping for, there’s probably a better option available. This information is invaluable when you start your search, since it will significantly narrow down your results, find relevant sources, and save you time looking through hundreds of options.  

Consider Where You and Your Chickens Live

Does it get bitterly cold where you live? How about incredibly hot? Wherever you are in the world, you’ll want to be sure your chickens will thrive there. Check for cold hardiness or heat tolerance in your chicken breeds, and be sure to consider the physical traits of the birds as well. Large combs are more prone to frostbite, and particularly fluffy chickens have a harder time in the heat, as will dark-feathered varieties. 

Bonus Tips

Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are a few bonus tips as you narrow down your search. 

• Look into where you’ll get your chickens. There are plenty of options, from local feed stores, reputable hatcheries, and even neighbors and resources like Facebook groups or chicken forums. Take a look at the available birds, you may even find some new breeds to consider!

• When you’ve made your selections and you’re feeling confident, I highly recommend this next step: just ask! There are great resources out there full of chicken lovers just waiting to share their knowledge. Backyard Chickens is a great forum I fell in love with. It’s chock full of relevant topics for beginners and experts alike – you’ll find plenty of information there to get you started (and probably keep you busy for a while). 

So there you have it! Plenty of things to consider as you put together your flock. Have you made your decision? Let me know below!

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