Things Nobody Tells You About Chickens Before You Get Them
Bringing home chickens sounds like a fun little backyard upgrade—and it can be. But there’s a lot that doesn’t get mentioned upfront. Once they’re clucking around your yard, you start realizing there’s more to it than eggs and cute Instagram moments. Here’s what most people leave out.
They’ll Trash Your Yard Without a Second Thought
Chickens scratch at everything. Garden beds, grass, mulch—you name it, they’ll rip it up. They’ll dust bathe wherever they want and dig holes like tiny bulldozers. If you like a tidy yard, you’ll need to fence them in or rotate where they roam.
The Poop Situation Is Constant
They poop everywhere. In the nesting boxes, in their water, on their feeder—no spot is off-limits. And it adds up fast. If you don’t keep things clean, the smell and flies will show up in a hurry. A regular deep clean or deep litter method helps.
They Can Be Loud, Even Without a Rooster
Hens make a lot more noise than people expect. The egg-laying squawk is a whole thing, and they’ll yell if they see a hawk or if they’re arguing over snacks. It’s not all-day noise, but it’s enough to annoy a close neighbor.
They Don’t Always Lay Where You Want Them To
You can set up the perfect nesting box, and they’ll still lay eggs under the porch or in the bushes. Some of them act like it’s a game of hide and seek. You’ll learn to check every corner of the yard if eggs start disappearing.
They Can Be Mean to Each Other
There’s always a pecking order, and sometimes it gets ugly. One bird might get picked on nonstop. If you add new chickens, it kicks off all over again. You’ve got to keep an eye out for bullying and be ready to separate birds when needed.
Egg Laying Isn’t Guaranteed Year-Round
Hens slow down or stop completely when they molt, when it’s too hot, too cold, or if anything stresses them out. You’ll go from a basket full of eggs to nothing overnight. It’s normal—but if you rely on those eggs, it’ll throw you.
Predators Will Test Every Weak Spot
Everything wants to eat a chicken. Foxes, raccoons, snakes, hawks—you name it. One loose latch or weak wire, and you’ll wake up to a disaster. Hardware cloth and solid locks make all the difference. “Chicken wire” is not enough.
They Wake Up With the Sun
If you don’t have an automatic coop door, that job’s yours—every morning and every evening. Chickens don’t care if you’re tired or forgot. Letting them out late can stress them, and forgetting to lock up can get them killed.
Each Bird Has Its Own Personality
Some are sweet and follow you around. Others are total weirdos. You’ll get bossy ones, skittish ones, and the occasional escape artist. They’re smarter than people give them credit for, and once you know them, you’ll see they all act differently.
They Can Live a Lot Longer Than They Lay
Hens usually lay strong for two or three years, but they can live eight or ten. That means you’ll either be feeding birds long past their egg years or deciding what to do when they stop producing. It’s something most folks don’t think through before filling a coop.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
