Raising Chickens: Fresh Eggs & Feathered Joy on the Farm

Raising backyard chickens is a joyful and fulfilling experience that brings fresh eggs, natural pest control, and endless entertainment to your homestead. Whether you're just starting your flock or adding to an established coop, chickens are some of the most rewarding animals to care for.
At Choose Joy Farm, we’ve been raising chickens since 2008, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned with you — from breed selection to egg-laying cycles, nutrition, and coop essentials.

Farm Fresh Eggs: Nature’s Perfect Food
One of the best parts of raising chickens is collecting fresh, delicious eggs. Home-raised eggs are known for their rich flavor, golden yolks, and unbeatable freshness.
Did you know that hens raised on pasture or quality feed often lay eggs with more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins than store-bought ones?
🥚 Fun fact: Hens don’t need a rooster to lay eggs — only to hatch chicks!
Fresh eggs can be collected daily and stored unwashed at room temperature or washed and refrigerated for longer shelf life.

Choosing the Right Chicken Breed
There are many wonderful chicken breeds to choose from — each with its own temperament, egg color, and laying ability. Some favorites include:

• Easter Eggers: Friendly birds that lay blue, green, or even pink eggs.
  
• Silkies: Fluffy and sweet-natured, perfect for families and brooding.
  
• Bantam Cochins: Small, gentle birds with feathered feet and charming personalities.
  
• Rhode Island Reds: Hardy and reliable egg layers.
  
• Orpingtons: Calm birds that are great for both eggs and companionship.
  

At Choose Joy Farm, we specialize in Easter Eggers, Silkies, and Bantam Cochins — breeds known for their beauty, friendliness, and variety of egg colors.
🐣 Fun fact: Chickens can recognize up to 100 different faces — human and chicken alike!

The Commitment of Raising Chickens
While chickens are lower-maintenance than some livestock, they still need daily care. This includes:

• Feeding and watering
  
• Collecting eggs
  
• Cleaning the coop
  
• Checking for signs of illness or injury
  

With proper care, most hens will lay 4–6 eggs per week, slowing down in the winter months unless supplemental lighting is used.
🐓 Fun fact: Chickens take about 24–26 hours to lay one egg!

The Chicken Life Cycle
Understanding the natural rhythm of your flock helps you plan ahead for egg production and care.

• Spring: Chick season! A great time to add to your flock.
  
• Summer: Peak laying season with long daylight hours.
  
• Fall: Molting season — chickens shed old feathers and slow egg production.
  
• Winter: Less egg laying; ensure warmth and good nutrition.
  

🥚 Fun fact: Chicks grow from hatch to full-grown layers in just 4–6 months!

Raising Chicks: A Fresh Start
Starting with chicks is one of the most exciting parts of chicken-keeping. Baby chicks need:

• A warm brooder with a heat lamp
  
• Starter feed
  
• Fresh water
  
• Clean bedding (like pine shavings)
  

They grow quickly and will feather out in just a few weeks, ready to move into the coop by 6–8 weeks old.
🐥 Fun fact: Chicks "peep" to communicate with each other, even before they hatch!

The Basics: Coop, Feed, and Free Range
To raise healthy chickens, you’ll need:

• A secure, well-ventilated coop with nesting boxes and roosts
  
• Clean, dry bedding (pine shavings or straw)
  
• Fresh, clean water available at all times
  
• Layer feed supplemented with kitchen scraps, grains, or scratch
  
• Grit and oyster shell for digestion and strong eggshells
  

Letting your chickens free-range during the day helps with natural foraging and reduces feed costs — just make sure they're safe from predators!
🌾 Fun fact: Chickens help control ticks, grubs, and garden pests naturally!

Egg Collection & Storage
Once your hens start laying, check nesting boxes daily. Use clean baskets or egg aprons to gather eggs gently.

• Unwashed eggs can be left at room temperature for 1–2 weeks
  
• Washed eggs must be refrigerated
  
• Eggs can be sold or shared once you establish a clean, reliable system
  

🥚 Fun fact: Egg color depends on the breed — not the feed or lifestyle!

Raising Chickens Is Pure Joy
From fluffy chicks to morning egg hunts and the peaceful cluck of happy hens, chickens add so much life to your farm. With a little time, care, and attention, your flock will reward you with fresh eggs, natural companionship, and daily smiles.
At Choose Joy Farm, we believe that raising chickens is more than a hobby — it’s a way to connect with nature, live more sustainably, and Choose Joy every day.