Raising chickens is fun and rewarding—but like anything new, there’s a learning curve. Here are the most common mistakes new chicken keepers make, and how to avoid them from day one.
What happens: You get chickens, then scramble to figure out what they need.
Avoid it: Read up before your birds arrive. Know the basics of feed, housing, and health.
What happens: Chickens get crowded, stressed, and aggressive.
Avoid it: Plan for at least 4 sq ft per chicken inside the coop, and 8–10 sq ft in the run.
What happens: Chicks get sick or layers stop laying.
Avoid it: Match the feed to their age:
Chick starter (0–6 weeks)
Grower (6–18 weeks)
Layer (18+ weeks)
What happens: Birds go missing or get injured overnight.
Avoid it: Use hardware cloth, bury fencing, and lock the coop every night.
What happens: Ammonia buildup, respiratory issues, frostbite.
Avoid it: Add vents high on the walls and avoid drafts directly on birds. Ventilation is key—even in winter.
What happens: Chickens won’t eat or lay without water.
Avoid it: Clean and refill waterers daily. Use heated options in winter or check often.
What happens: Fighting, stress, and unhappy hens.
Avoid it: You don’t need a rooster for eggs. If you do want one, stick to 1 rooster per 8–10 hens.
What happens: Obesity, poor egg production, nutritional imbalances.
Avoid it: Keep treats to 10% or less of their diet. Stick to healthy options like veggies or mealworms.
What happens: Predators rip through it.
Avoid it: Use ½" hardware cloth for all fencing, vents, and windows. Chicken wire is only for keeping chickens in—not predators out.
What happens: New keepers think something’s wrong when it’s not.
Avoid it: Know what’s normal:
Dust bathing (not seizures!)
Molting (not sick!)
Pecking order (not bullying—unless excessive)