Backyard chickens can’t be that much work, can they? They provide fresh eggs, entertain you with their quirky behavior, and add a charming farm vibe to your yard.

Raising chickens isn’t as simple as it looks. Before you dive in, it’s important to know how much work they require. Owning chickens can be rewarding, but it’s also a responsibility that takes time, money, and effort. Let’s break it down so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Building or Buying a Coop

The first thing you’ll need is a coop, which is the chickens’ home. A coop protects them from bad weather, predators like raccoons, and gives them a place to lay eggs.

You can start by learning how to build a chicken coop, or buy a pre-made coop. Either way, it takes effort. A coop needs to be big enough for all your chickens to move around comfortably. Each chicken needs at least 4 square feet inside the coop and 10 square feet in an outdoor run.

It also needs to be secure with a solid door and adequate chicken coop ventilation. You’ll have to use sturdy materials and make sure there are no gaps for predators to sneak through. This could mean spending weekends building or spending a few hundred dollars on a ready-made coop.

Daily Feeding and Watering

Just like any pet, chickens need food and water every day. Chicken feed comes in bags that you can buy at feed stores. The food needs to be high quality to keep your flock healthy and producing eggs. You’ll also need to add fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains to give them a balanced diet.

Water is just as important. Chickens need clean, fresh water at all times. You might think, “How hard can it be to fill a water bowl?” But chickens are messy! They’ll kick dirt, bedding, or even poop into their water. You’ll need to check and refill it at least once a day, sometimes more if it’s hot.

Cleaning the Coop

If you’re still asking yourself how much work chickens are, this is a big part of the answer. Cleaning the chicken coop is a job that can’t be skipped. If you don’t do it, your chickens can get sick, and the coop will smell terrible. At least once a week, you’ll need to scoop out the bedding (like straw or wood shavings) and replace it with fresh material. You’ll also have to scrub and sanitize feeders, waterers, and nesting boxes every so often.

Depending on how many chickens you have, this could take 20 minutes or an hour. And yes, it can get dirty. Be prepared for mud, feathers, and poop.

Health Checks

Chickens, like any animals, can get sick. Common chicken health problems include mites, lice, and respiratory infections. Sometimes, you might not even notice they’re sick until it’s serious, since chickens often hide their symptoms.

This means you need to check on them every day. Look for signs like unusual behavior, droopy wings, or pale combs (the red part on their heads).

If one of your chickens gets sick, you might need to isolate it, give it medicine, or even call a vet. Yes, there are chicken vets! Treating sick chickens can take time and money.  You should also have a first aid kit for chickens prepared and ready to use.

Collecting Eggs

One of the fun parts of having chickens is collecting fresh eggs. Chickens usually lay one egg a day, but not always. You’ll need to check the nesting boxes daily, especially in hot weather. Eggs that sit for too long can spoil or attract pests. If it’s winter, you might have to collect them quickly before they freeze.

While gathering eggs is fun, keep in mind that chickens don’t lay forever. Most chickens start laying around six months old and slow down after two or three years. They can live up to ten years, so you might be caring for them long after they stop producing eggs.

Protecting Chickens from Predators

Predators are one of the biggest challenges of owning backyard chickens. Raccoons, hawks, foxes, and even neighborhood dogs might see your chickens as a tasty snack. To keep your flock safe, you’ll need to lock them in the coop every night. You’ll also have to check your fencing regularly to make sure it’s secure.

If you let your chickens roam the yard during the day, you’ll need to watch them or accept the risk that a predator might show up. Some people use motion-activated lights or dogs to scare predators away, but nothing works perfectly.

How Much Work Are Chickens?  Here’s the Time Commitment

So how much time does it take to care for chickens? Here’s a quick estimate:

• Daily chores: 15-30 minutes (feeding, watering, egg collecting)
• Weekly cleaning: 30 minutes to an hour
• Occasional tasks: Time spent dealing with predators, fixing the coop, or treating sick chickens

That doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up. Chickens are living animals that rely on you every single day, even during vacations or bad weather.

The Costs of Backyard Chickens

Chickens aren’t free, either. Here are some typical expenses:

• Initial costs: $300-$1,000 for a coop, chickens, and supplies
• Monthly costs: $20-$50 for feed and bedding
• Unexpected costs: Vet bills or repairs to the coop

While fresh eggs might save you money on groceries, backyard chickens rarely pay for themselves.

How Much Work are Chickens… Really?

Despite the work, many people love keeping chickens. They’re funny, curious, and can even become pets. Watching them peck around the yard or chase bugs can be surprisingly entertaining. Plus, fresh eggs taste amazing, and knowing exactly where your food comes from feels good.

That said, chickens aren’t for everyone. If you’re not ready for the daily work, cleaning, and responsibility, they might end up being more stressful than fun. But if you enjoy animals and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, chickens can be a rewarding addition to your backyard. Just make sure you’re ready for the commitment before jumping in.