Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens

Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens

From our flock to yours: Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens from an employee  who’s been there—and learned from it.

Hi, I’m Anne—Marketing Coordinator here at Chicken Coop Company and proud chicken (and duck) owner of three years. Like most new chicken keepers, I started with zero experience, a lot of enthusiasm… and maybe a little impulsiveness. 

My flock consist of one Buff Orpington, four Ameraucanas, and six chicks waiting in the warmth of the brooder until they’re big enough to join them outside. I also have four ducks... but that’s a whole other story. Let’s just say, chicken math is alive and well.

Truthfully, my chicken-keeping journey didn’t start with a plan. Or... any kind of plan. Like many new chicken owners, it began with a “quick trip” to the feed store. It was early March—prime chick season—and they knew exactly how to draw you in: the warm glow of a heat lamp, the chorus of tiny peeps, a bin full of fluffy yellow chicks practically begging to come home with you. And of course, a sign that reads “Get them before they’re gone!”

Falling under the spell was easy, but I quickly got a crash course in things I never expected to learn—like what pasty butt is, what real predator-proofing looks like, and how unexpectedly peaceful it feels to share quiet moments with your flock.

This blog is for fellow beginners—or maybe someone still debating whether to get started. I’m sharing the things I wish I knew before getting chickens, along with a few stories and mishaps from my flock here in Wyoming. 

1. Chicken Chores: Learn What You Actually Want to Do

Chickens are surprisingly low-maintenance... until they’re not. While they don’t need constant attention, they do need a few daily and weekly chores to keep them happy, healthy, and laying. And the truth is, the best way to figure out what you’re willing to do—and how to make it easier—is by doing it. I learned that quickly.

Here are a few must-have tools I didn’t know I needed—until I really needed them:

• Automatic Coop Door – This one is a non-negotiable for me.  After countless mornings and evenings of trips outside in the cold or dark because I need to open to close the coop, it is a true game changer . Chickens will put themselves to bed—you just have to lock up. Now I don’t even have to think about it. There are many options for this, I personally use this automatic door, and havent looked back! 

• Egg Basket or Apron – I thought I could multitask—carry a handful of eggs, close the nesting box, and shoo the dogs away all at once. Spoiler: I’ve dropped six eggs in one go more than once, and my dogs have never been more grateful. A dedicated egg basket or an egg apron with deep pockets helps to keep your hands free, and your breakfast unbroken.

• Large Shovel for Coop Cleaning  – It’s wild how quickly the poop adds up. A full-size shovel makes clean-up way faster and way less gross. I dump all the bedding and droppings straight into a compost pile—it’s garden gold.

• Storage Bin for Feed – I used to keep bags of feed in the garage, until one day I found a tiny hole on the bottom and a trail of mouse droppings around it. Now I use a metal can with a locking lid to store all my feed—it keeps it dry and critter-free. 

• Nesting Box Pads & Fresh Herbs – One day it’s clean eggs, the next it’s a mystery mess—nesting boxes get grimy fast. Chickens aren’t exactly tidy, especially after a muddy day. I toss in a few sprigs of lavender or mint, and switch out my nesting pads every few months to keep things fresh and bug-free.

2. There’s a Pecking Order, and It’s Brutal

Chickens have a built-in social system called the pecking order, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. It's how they decide who gets the first dibs on the mealworms, the best roosting spots, and who get's to leave first in the morning. The photo above is of Lourie—an Orpington, prolific egg-layer, and the leader of my backyard flock. It definitely helps that she’s the biggest hen in the bunch, but remaining alpha isn't all about size—there’s a bit of daily drama involved. Reasserting dominance can look like shoving her way to the feeder… or throwing a well-timed peck at anyone who challenges her spot. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself gritting your teeth and letting it play out (even if your instincts say to break it up).

Here’s how it generally shakes out:

• Top Hens – These are your flock’s queens. They run the show and won’t hesitate to peck anyone who challenges them for a spot at the feeder.

• Middle-Rankers – These gals keep their heads down and go with the flow. Not bossy, not bullied—just living their lives.

• Low-Rankers – Usually younger or more submissive birds, they’re last in line and can sometimes be on the receiving end of hen drama.

Pecking order is totally normal and helps keep the flock organized. But I wish I had known how rough it can look at first—especially when introducing new birds. Chickens don’t make friends easily. You’ll want to integrate newbies slowly, using a “see but no touch” method, and always provide multiple food and water stations to reduce competition.                   

Learning how to manage the pecking order was definitely one of the things I wish I knew before getting chickens. But there is good news! Once the hierarchy is sorted out, most flocks settle into a pretty peaceful routine. Just don’t be surprised when your sweet hen suddenly acts like a little tyrant—it’s all part of the pecking order.

If you want more info, or have a rooster, there is some good info on the pecking order here: Pecking Order and How to Prevent Bullying in Chickens

3. Chicken Health: Congratulations, You’re Now the Flock’s Unofficial Vet

You may not have planned on being a poultry practitioner, but when you’ve got chickens, you will end up diagnosing something at some point.Generally, chickens stay pretty healthy when they’re well cared for—but it’s important to know they’re really good at hiding when something’s wrong. It’s a survival instinct, which means by the time you notice signs like a droopy comb, strange droppings, or a hen suddenly keeping to herself, it’s time to act quickly.

At some point, you’ll find yourself playing the role of nurse, first responder, and yes—sometimes even full-blown chicken doctor*.  As I’ve told many who ask about getting chickens (with love and a little grit): chickens aren’t for the faint of heart. But once you know what to watch for and have a few essentials on hand, you’ll feel more confident navigating the occasional health hiccup. 

Some of the most common backyard chicken health issues include:

• Pasty butt in chicks

• Mites or lice

• Bumblefoot (a gnarly foot infection)

• Sour or impacted crop

• Lash Egg - My first experience in playing chicken doctor...do not recommend!

Remember this: If a chicken’s acting off, isolate her right away. Chickens instinctively target weaker flock mates, and a sick bird can quickly become a target.

If your first instinct is to call a vet—go for it! In my experience, not all vets treat poultry, so I’ve learned to lean on my chicken-keeping community for advice when I need it. Otherwise – and I mean this in all seriousness – the internet is full of helpful (and sometimes terrifying) info. More often than not you can find help from chicken forums like Backyard Chickens, trusted blogs, and even Facebook groups can be great places to ask questions and see what’s worked for others. Just remember to take every diagnosis with a grain of salt—and double check before trying anything questionable. 

In the meantime, it’s smart to stock up on a few basic health supplies, keep the coop clean, and pay attention to what “normal” looks like for your flock. The more familiar you are with your chickens’ daily routines and quirks, the quicker you’ll catch when something’s off—and the more confident you’ll feel handling it. Avian vets can be hard to come by, but it’s definitely worth finding one before you’re in a late-night panic Googling “is my hen dying or just broody?” Trust me on that one.

*Disclaimer: Nope, I’m not a vet—and this isn’t medical advice. Just things I’ve learned from a few too many Google spirals and real-life chicken chaos.

4. Egg Production 101

One of the biggest things I wish I knew before getting chickens? Egg production is anything but straightforward. Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as “get chickens, get eggs.” For starters, you don’t need a rooster for your hens to lay (you can just pretend you already knew that). Then, even with everything in place—coop, feed, nesting boxes—hens won’t typically start laying until they’re around 6 to 7 months old. And even then, there is no perfect schedule for egg laying.

Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Breed matters – Some chickens are egg-laying machines (hello, ISA Browns), while others are more ornamental or leisurely layers. Do a little research before you buy if egg quantity is important to you. Personally, I wanted some heavily laying breeds but also wanted colorful eggs so Americauans were the ideal choice.

• They don’t lay year-round – Most chickens take a well-deserved break in the winter when the days get shorter. Without supplemental lighting, your flock might go weeks (or even months) without a single egg. If you're anything like I was, you'll assume something's horribly wrong and start frantically trying to find answers. Some people choose to add artificial light during the darker months to keep egg production steady, but that’s totally a personal choice—or as some would say, one of those “you do you” moments in chicken keeping.

• Production slows with age – This one was shocking to me. It totally makes sense, but I was still somehow surprised to learn this. If you want to be even more surprised, chickens can live 5-10 years! Yes, I know it is a wide average, but you must take into consideration the many different breeds of chickens. Most hens peak in their first two years, then taper off.

• Calcium is essential – Laying hens need extra calcium to produce strong shells. Oyster shells (offered free-choice) are a must-have in any egg-laying flock. I also keep my egg shells and give them back to the chickens with any other kitchen scraps we throw at them.

If you are ever confused at the posts online about the “$3,000 egg,” you will soon find out they are kind of being serious. Between the coop setup, daily care, and feeding your birds long before that first egg arrives, you will earn every yolk. But when you spot that first warm egg in the nesting box? It’s a core memory. And it makes every chore, every early morning, and every run to the feed store completely worth it. Just wait until you see the difference in the color of your chicken's yolk vs store bought. Game. Changer.

I may be writing this from a quiet town in Wyoming, and you might be reading it from a bustling suburban neighborhood—but if chickens are allowed in your city, I can say this with full confidence: they’re worth it. Every time. 

Maybe you just wanted to start this journey because of the price of eggs, but I think for most of us, it becomes about something more. There’s something grounding about having your hands in even one part of your food system. It makes me more thoughtful, more aware, and more grateful—not just for my flock, but for the farmers and food producers who feed us every day. 

If you’re a new chicken owner, I hope this post helps you avoid some of the rookie mistakes I made. Chickens are incredibly rewarding, but there’s a learning curve that doesn’t always get talked about. The more you know going in, the better set up you’ll be for success—and fun!

If you’re just getting started or thinking about expanding, check out our coops, runs, and accessories at Chicken Coop Company.