10 Must-Know Things Before Getting Chickens for the First Time

**This post may contain affiliate links , which means I may recieve a commison, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.**

Starting your first flock is such an exciting season… but if I’m being honest, it can feel a little nerve-wracking too.

You picture the cozy backyard, the fresh eggs, the happy hens pecking around the yard, and all those Pinterest-perfect chicken coop dreams coming to life. It feels simple, wholesome, and fun.

And in many ways, it is. But there were also a few things I didn’t expect.

Even after all the research I did beforehand—the books I read, the videos I watched, the endless beginner chicken tips I saved—there were still things you don’t truly understand until you’re living them in real time.

I still remember standing in Tractor Supply , looking at those tiny chicks, feeling equal parts excited and completely unsure of myself. 

Bringing them home felt like the start of something so sweet…, and also the moment I realized I had a lot to learn.

If you’re a beginner chicken owner or are thinking about starting your first flock, I hope this helps you feel more prepared than I did. 

Because if I could go back, these are the 10 things I would tell myself before starting.

If You’re Thinking About Getting Chickens…

If I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would. Chickens are some of the sweetest, funniest little pets you can own—and one of the best beginner livestock animals to start with.

They’re easier than many people think, but they’re not completely effortless. 

There’s still a learning curve, a few messy moments (especially in the beginning), and new routines to figure out as you go.

But that’s the beautiful part—you learn with time. Before long, caring for them starts to feel natural, and you begin to notice all their unique little personalities.

And honestly? That’s when the real joy begins. 

They’ll make you laugh, surprise you daily, and bring so much more happiness to your home than you ever expected.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Chickens

1.  They Do Not Lay Eggs Right Away

This might come as a surprise to many beginners, but chickens don’t start laying eggs right away. It’s definitely not a “bring them home and collect eggs next week” kind of thing.

Most hens begin laying around 16–20 weeks old, though some breeds can take a little longer depending on the season, breed, weather, and overall development. That means there are months of feeding, cleaning, learning, and caring for them before you ever see that first egg.

And honestly? That season matters too. It’s where you build your routines, learn their personalities, and grow confidence as a chicken keeper.

So if you’re starting your first flock, set that expectation early and enjoy the process instead of rushing the reward.

👉 If you’re wondering exactly when to expect your first egg (and the signs to watch for), read my full post here:When Will Your Backyard Chickens Lay Their First Egg? A Joyful Guide for New Keepers

 

2.  They Are Messier Than You Think

No one really prepares you for just how much poop such tiny animals can produce. 

When we first got our chickens, we also brought home ducks. I was fully prepared for the duck mess because everyone warned me they were so much messier than chickens. 

And yes, ducks are definitely wet and chaotic—but if I’m being honest, their mess felt easier to contain with pebbles around their pool area and a run with good drainage.

The chickens surprised me more. Chickens are dusty, they kick bedding everywhere, and somehow poop ends up in places that make no sense at all. It’s almost a talent.

That’s why having a proper coop setup with good ventilation and airflow matters so much. It helps with dust, moisture, and overall cleanliness. 

Regular upkeep goes a long way too—even a quick daily tidy-up or a solid weekly clean can keep your coop in great shape.

And my very honest beginner tip? Buy a good poop scooper early. It will serve you well, save your back, and quickly become one of the hardest-working tools you own.

3. The Brooder Setup Matters

Your brooder setup can make those first few weeks either feel smooth and enjoyable… or stressful very quickly. Having the right setup from the start matters more than most beginners realize.

Things like safe heat sources, the right bedding, enough space to grow, clean water, and an easy-to-clean setup make a huge difference for both you and your chicks. When their environment is comfortable and secure, everything becomes easier to manage.

It doesn’t have to be fancy or Pinterest-perfect—but it does need to be safe, practical, and set up with growth in mind. They grow faster than you think.

If you’re getting ready for baby chicks or ducklings, I share everything we used, what worked, and what I’d do differently in my full beginner guide here: Baby Chick & Duckling Setup Guide (Everything You Need for Beginners)

 4. Not All Breeds Are the Same

One thing I didn’t realize until I really dove into my beginner chicken research is that not all breeds are the same.

Just like dogs, different chicken breeds have different temperaments, personalities, and strengths. Some are better for egg laying, some are bred more for meat, and others are known for being friendly pets that do well around people and kids.

Cold and heat tolerance are important things to think about too when choosing the right breed for your home and climate.

We went with Buff Orpingtons, and as the “golden retrievers of chickens,” they did not disappoint. They’re friendly, docile, not overly flighty, and for us have been great egg layers—often producing one egg a day each at their peak.

They’re also known for handling both cold and heat well, which was a huge plus for our Wisconsin winters.

5. Predators Are a Bigger Deal Than You Expect

Sadly, losing our chickens and ducks became a lesson we learned far too early in our beginner chicken-keeping journey. It was heartbreaking.

One thing I’ve learned is that they are never quite as safe as you think, even when you’re doing everything you can.

 Chickens and ducks are prey animals, and that’s just the hard reality of keeping them.

As painful as it was, I found some peace in understanding that this is part of nature. It doesn’t make the loss easy, but it does help you realize that not everything is within your control.

 Sometimes all you can do is your best, keep learning, and make improvements moving forward.

For us, that lesson came while we were on vacation. Our chickens and ducks ended up stuck outside overnight, and an owl got one of our ducks and one of our chickens. It was devastating and something I’ll never forget.

If there’s one thing I would strongly tell every beginner, it’s this: night security matters so much. 

A secure coop, reliable locks, cameras, and an automatic coop door can bring so much peace of mind and help protect your flock when you can’t be there.

6. Your Coop Setup Can Make or Break Everything

How clean things stay, how safe your flock is, and how happy everyone seems day to day. Space matters, cleaning matters, and layout matters more than most beginners realize.

For our first beginner setup, we used a garden shed a friend was getting rid of and attached my parents’ old outdoor dog kennel as the run. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked and gave us a great place to start.

We made sure there was proper ventilation and tried to keep every surface as easy to clean as possible. Trust me, future you will appreciate that.

At the time, we had enough room for our chickens and ducks to live together. We added roosting bars and a poop shelf for the chickens, while the ducks mostly stayed and slept on the bottom level—although one of our ducks loved getting curious and waddling up the ramp to the top.

Our run space did feel a bit crowded, especially once the duck pool was added. Since then, we’ve separated them, and I definitely recommend reading that post if you’re thinking about keeping chickens and ducks together.

Now my husband has built the chickens a new coop that’s insulated for winter, and knock on wood, it made it through our first winter beautifully. We just need to finish the run for spring.

(I’ll share our exact budget-friendly setup soon )

7.  Chickens Handle Cold Better Than Heat

All seasons can bring challenges when you’re keeping chickens, but especially our Wisconsin weather.

One thing many beginners don’t realize is that chickens usually handle cold better than extreme heat. With the right coop setup, dry bedding, protection from drafts, and a healthy flock, winter can go smoother than you’d expect.

Summer heat, on the other hand, can be harder on them. Shade, airflow, cool water, and ways to beat the heat become so important during hot stretches.

And when it comes to cold weather, good ventilation matters more than over-insulating. Fresh airflow helps reduce moisture buildup inside the coop, which is often more dangerous in winter than the cold itself.

Every season teaches you something, but learning how to work with the weather instead of against it makes chicken keeping so much easier.

8. Eggs Can Be… Inconsistent

Although the dream is to walk out to your coop and collect a whole basket of fresh eggs for breakfast, to share with family, or to give to neighbors… sometimes that’s not the reality, especially in the beginning.

When chickens first start laying, egg production can be inconsistent and definitely not an everyday thing right away. It often takes time for their bodies to regulate and settle into a rhythm.

Egg laying can slow down for other reasons too.

Stress, seasonal changes, shorter daylight hours, and molting can all cause production to drop or stop for a while.

Molting in particular can surprise beginners—your hens may look a little rough and suddenly stop laying while they regrow feathers.

They can also go broody, which I experienced during our first summer with chickens. Thankfully, I knew our Buff Orpingtons were more prone to broodiness, so I was somewhat prepared.

Broody means they stop laying because they want to sit on a nest and hatch eggs.

And yes—they can absolutely go broody even with no fertile eggs, no rooster, and sometimes no eggs at all. Chickens love to keep you guessing.

👉 If you’re still waiting on that first egg, read: When Will Your Backyard Chickens Lay Their First Eggs? Signs to Look For

9.  They Have Personalities (Like… REAL Personalities)

We learned early on that every chicken has her own unique personality—and honestly, that became one of my favorite parts of keeping them. They aren’t just “chickens.” They each have their own little quirks, habits, and attitudes.

Our girl Rebel earned her name very early on. She was the only one who figured out how to escape the brooder by folding down the sides, and instead of running off alone, she let all of her sisters out too so they could explore the house together—chaos leader energy from day one.

Honey started as the sweetest little thing and has since turned into a tiny spitfire. She’s bold, upbeat, curious, and always seems to be in the middle of something.

Then there’s Lemondrop, who is almost always the last one to leave the coop in the morning. She’s more shy and timid, but still incredibly friendly and gentle once she warms up. She’s just a little sweetheart.

That’s the part people don’t always tell you—chickens can become so much more than livestock. They become little characters in your everyday life.

10.  You’ll Love Them More Than You Expected

Although through all of my research, I knew once I got chickens they would become another part of our family, but you truly cannot prepare for the bond and how much joy they will bring you until you have them. 

If you are on the fence, start with this beginner’s guide, but trust me, it will be one of the best decisions you make. 

You will find yourself just sitting in the coop or run with them, chilling, feeding them snacks, and holding them, even just watching them scratch around the yard or dust bath is therapeutic.

“Would I Do It Again?”

Absolutely, 100% yes.

Of course, it’s not always easy. There’s definitely a learning curve, unexpected challenges, and always new things to learn or improve—whether that’s your coop setup, routines, or how you care for your flock.

But raising chickens has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

If your goal is to become more self-sufficient, feel more connected to home, and lean into a softer, slower way of living, chickens can beautifully bring that into your life.

They give you more than eggs. They teach patience, responsibility, resilience, and the joy that can be found in the simple, everyday moments.

 A Little Encouragement Before You Start

You don’t have to do everything perfectly to start.

You don’t need the fanciest coop, the prettiest setup, or to know every single answer before bringing chickens home. So much of chicken keeping is learned through experience.

Start simple. Learn as you go.

You’ll make adjustments, figure out routines, and gain confidence with time—just like every chicken keeper before you. The most important thing isn’t perfection. It’s being willing to begin.