Eggs or Dinner? How to Avoid the Biggest Backyard Chicken Blunder
It’s grocery time and you find yourself staring at the egg shelf, shocked by how much a carton costs.
“I can do better! I’ll get my own chickens!!”
One trip to the farm store and a dozen fuzzy chicks later, you can already taste those glorious, home-laid omelets.
A few weeks later they are eating everything in sight and look more like bodybuilders than cute egg-layers. Your dreams of fresh eggs every morning just flew out the window. These aren’t future egg machines. They’re destined for the dinner plate.
What went wrong and how can you avoid this in the future?
Know your purpose and the right breed follows
The most important place to start when you want to have backyard chickens is to know what your goal is. Do you want a regular basket of fresh eggs? Do you want birds that are ideal for the oven? There are a lot of different breeds out there, and each has characteristics that make them great layers or the perfect roasting size.
If you primarily want fresh eggs, focus on layer breeds (e.g., Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns). If you want meat, choose a meat breed (e.g., Cornish Cross, Freedom Ranger or Buckeye).
There are additional breeds if you think you might be interested in both eggs and meat eventually. Certain breeds (e.g., Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks) can provide decent egg production and meat. However, they won’t excel at either one as specialized layers or meat birds.
Newcomers often rush and pick up the first cute chicks they see without checking if those birds will actually lay well or are the right size for their coop. Take some time to do a little research on these potential breeds. Read quick online summaries or talk to other farms or enthusiasts about each breed’s size, temperament, egg-laying frequency, and hardiness.
Avoiding common mistakes when selecting chicks
Now you’re off to the farm store!
Chicks often look similar when their first hatch, and busy feed stores might mix up labels. Double-check the bins, ask questions, and confirm the breed with store staff. Don’t rely on generic “pullets” labeling if you want to be sure they’re layers. Make sure you are getting pullets or you’ll find yourself with a future chorus of rooster crows to go with your morning coffee.
New chicken owners get excited and sometimes purchase more chicks than they have space or resources for. Start small with a few layers you can manage comfortably. You can always expand your flock later if you have the room.
A quick reminder too that some areas have restrictions on backyard chickens or roosters. It’s always best to avoid trouble by reviewing local ordinances first—this can also help you decide on which (and how many) layer breeds to get.
Starting them off right
Happy, healthy birds will give you the most eggs year after year, so once they’ve graduated and are large enough to be out in the coop it’s important to make sure things are setup for success.
Layers need comfortable nesting boxes, adequate space to roam, and proper perches. A cramped coop leads to stress and fewer eggs. Aim for at least three square feet per chicken inside the coop and a safe, fenced yard for daytime roaming.
Unlike meat birds that need very high protein to grow quickly, layers thrive on a balanced layer feed with added calcium. Make sure you have a reliable source of feed, as nutrition directly impacts egg quantity and quality. Definitely don’t forget a regular supply of clean water.
Don’t under estimate the time commitments involved with backyard chickens. Plan for daily egg collection, coop cleaning, and regular health checks. Layers live longer than meat birds, so be prepared for an ongoing and rewarding relationship that can last several years.