Our First Year Raising Backyard Chickens: What I Learned as a First-Time Chicken Owner
The Beginning of Our Chicken Journey
I’ll never forget sitting in a work meeting at the office stressed to the max when my husband sent me a picture from Tractor Supply. In that moment I was stressed and excited. I could hear their soft chips when I walked in the door, everyone was in my office. We were officially adding chickens to our growing homestead dreams — something I’d wanted for years but didn’t quite feel ready for until my husband made the leap.
Like many new chicken owners, my reasons were simple:
I wanted to live more sustainably, know where my food came from, and teach my kids about caring for animals. Plus, the thought of fresh eggs every morning made the idea irresistible.
If you’re thinking about owning chickens for the first time, I hope my story helps you see what it’s really like — the fun, the challenges, and the unexpected lessons that come with it.
Why We Decided to Get Chickens
Our family had been slowly leaning into a homestead lifestyle — gardening, preserving food, and making small steps toward self-sufficiency. Chickens felt like the next natural step.
We wanted:
- Fresh, homegrown eggs we could trust
- A simple way to reduce food waste (chickens love kitchen scraps!)
- To give our kids daily chores that connected them to nature
Living in Minnesota, we knew our climate would make things interesting. Winters here are no joke, so I did plenty of research on breeds that could handle the cold, like Buff Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks. Unfortunately, the high demand of buying chicks didn’t give us much for options. The store associate said it was like buying toilet paper back in 2020.
Getting Ready for the Flock
Our first big task was building the coop. We started with a small pre-built structure, then customized it with better insulation, roosting bars, and extra ventilation for the humid summers.
Here’s what we needed before bringing the chicks home:
- A heat lamp and brooder box for the first few weeks (we used two plastic pools zip-tied together)
- Pine shavings for bedding
- Feeder and waterer sized for chicks
- Chick starter feed (high-protein crumble for healthy growth)
- Chick grit for when they start eating more than the starter crumble
Beginner Tip: Start small. It’s easy to dream of a big flock, but even 4–6 hens can provide plenty of eggs and are easier to care for your first year.
The First Few Weeks: Cute, Messy, and Fast
The first few weeks with our chicks were a blur — adorable chaos. They grew so fast! One day they were tiny enough to sit in my palm, and within weeks they were flapping across the brooder box, testing their new wings.
What surprised me most wasn’t the mess (though there’s plenty of that) — it was how quickly they developed personalities. Some were bold and curious, others shy and calm.
Of course, there were a few learning curves:
- Keeping their water clean felt like a full-time job
- Managing temperature took constant adjustment
- Chick dust gets everywhere — truly, everywhere.
- They will turn anything into a dust bath, their food, chick grit (Amazon), anything.
Still, I loved watching them grow. Each day felt like a new discovery.
Daily Life with Backyard Chickens
Once our hens were old enough to move outside, life settled into a simple rhythm.
Mornings meant fresh feed, clean water, and opening the coop door to let them roam. Evenings were for collecting eggs and making sure everyone was safely tucked in before dark.
Our chickens quickly became part of the family. The kids named each one (we have a “Cluck Norris” and “Henrietta” 🐔), and they love helping collect eggs — it’s become part of our morning routine.
Fun Fact: Chickens love routine. They’ll put themselves to bed at sunset every night — it’s one less thing for you to worry about!
The Lessons I Didn’t Expect with Chickens
Raising chickens has taught me more about slow living than I ever imagined.
It’s taught me patience — things don’t happen on my timeline. It’s taught me consistency — they rely on me, rain or shine. And it’s reminded me how rewarding it feels to nurture life from the ground up.
Beyond the practical side, having chickens has helped me reconnect with nature. Watching them scratch, dust bathe, and sun themselves feels like a return to simpler rhythms. It’s also given my kids a front-row seat to the cycle of life, responsibility, and gratitude for the food we eat.
“Homesteading isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress, learning, and finding joy in the process.”
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
If I could go back to day one, here’s what I’d change:
- Build a bigger coop — because chicken math is real! (You’ll always want more.)
- Invest in predator-proofing early — we had a coyote take off with 2 chickens.
- Start with fewer breeds — it’s easier to learn their habits when they’re more uniform.
- Plan for winter — heated waterers and extra insulation are a must in Minnesota. Also cover the insulation because even chickens get bored when stuck inside.
Each mistake came with a lesson, and each lesson made us more confident as chicken owners.
Why I’d Do It All Again
Owning chickens for the first time was both humbling and heartwarming. It reminded me that homesteading is about connection — to the land, our food, and the small creatures we care for.
Every morning when I walk out to the coop and collect fresh eggs, I feel grateful for the life we’re building — slow, intentional, and creative.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the eggs.
It’s about slowing down, learning new rhythms, and finding joy in the everyday that’s rooted and real.
Let’s Chat!
Are you thinking about raising chickens for the first time? Or do you already have a backyard flock?
Share your experiences or best beginner tips in the comments — I’d love to hear how your journey compares to mine!
Enjoy Reading about Chickens?
Check out our post Our First Minnesota Winter with Chickens.
