Things I Wish I'd Known Before Getting Chickens

Now, don't get me wrong—I absolutely love my farm animals! However, over the nearly three years of owning chickens, there have been plenty of situations that would have been nice to know about in advance. You know how people say certain life experiences can change you? It's absolutely true; our experiences shape us as individuals.

So, let’s dive into the top things I wish I had known before embarking on this chicken-keeping journey!

Their favorite nesting box...

1. Chickens are Like Toddlers

Half the challenge of owning chickens is keeping them from killing themselves. You basically own toddlers now. They eat things they shouldn't unless you keep a close eye on them. The number of times I've screamed "drop it!" at a chicken is insane!

2. Chickens are Delicate Creatures

Chickens can die easily, which means you have to be knowledgeable and vigilant. I've become a farm vet over the course of owning livestock. It's essential to catch any issues early and have the time to treat them.

3. Be Over-Prepared

It’s always better to be over-prepared and knowledgeable about chickens than to panic when something happens. My brain is now full of random poultry information—it’s shocking! In my three years of chicken ownership, I've dealt with my fair share of challenges. We like to joke that Murphy lives with us. If you're not familiar with Murphy's Law, it basically states that if something can go wrong, it will.

Grizzled Mantis

4. Expect Flies and Bugs

If you have livestock, you have flies. And where there are flies, there are spiders and other bugs. I used to be a huge arachnophobe, but I’ve learned to coexist with them as long as they stay in their corner. However, I did have a huntsman spider jump out at me from the chicken’s grit bucket once… let’s just say I screamed! Those things are huge and gross—definitely a big nope!

5. Predator-Proofing is Essential

Everything wants to eat your chickens, so be prepared for some extreme predator-proofing of your coop. I mean, EVERYTHING! From raccoons to hawks, you must be vigilant.

6. Be Cautious with Online Information

Google and the internet can be as reliable for information as asking a random person. Always balance what you read online with what you already know, and check three or four reliable sources for confirmation.

7. Beware of Rats

If you have poultry, you will have rats—and rats are just plain gross! Using rat poison around your chickens is risky.

8. Chickens are Brutal

Chickens are savage! They eat the rats that get into their coop—literally tearing them apart and enjoying the snack. This makes rat poison dangerous, if the rat consumes it, the chicken could also ingest the poison when it eats the rat. Not to mention that other predators, like hawks and owls, can also get to the poisoned rats.

9. Avoid Facebook Chicken Groups

Let’s be honest, Facebook chicken groups are not friendly places for information. Everyone there is more likely to shame a newbie for doing something ‘wrong’ than provide useful information. It often feels like high school bullying all over again!

10. Chickens are Loud

Finally, chickens (even hens) are loud! While everyone says roosters are the noisy ones, my hens definitely throw a hen party when they lay eggs. And let me tell you, they are loud!

Frizzled Chick

And there you have it! This list isn’t exhaustive, but it certainly covers some of the key lessons I've learned. Keeping chickens can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges. Happy chicken-keeping! 🐔

The flock