
If you’ve ever thought about starting a backyard chicken flock, you’re not alone. More and more people are getting into raising chickens—and for good reason! Chickens are a joy to keep, they give you fresh, nutritious eggs, and they bring so many other benefits, like providing natural fertilizer and helping to control pests. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching your chickens cluck around your yard. Let’s dive into how you can start your own Weatherford backyard flock, covering everything from setting up a cozy home for your birds to selecting the best breeds for beginners.
Why Keep Backyard Chickens?
1. They Make You Happier
If you have backyard chickens in Weatherford Texas then you know that they can brighten your mood. Whether it’s their quirky personalities, the calming sounds they make, or the peaceful routine of caring for them, many chicken owners report feeling happier and less stressed. Chickens are excellent pets for families, and kids, in particular, love to interact with them. The sense of responsibility that comes with tending to your chickens and gathering fresh eggs adds a certain joy to daily life.
2. Fresh Eggs Every Day
One of the biggest perks of keeping chickens is, of course, the eggs. Backyard hens will lay eggs that are fresher, tastier, and more nutritious than anything you’ll find in the store. You’ll also have the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what your chickens are eating and how they are treated. Having backyard chickens in Texas means fresh eggs every day.
3. Natural Fertilizer
Chicken manure is incredibly rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it one of the best natural fertilizers for your garden. Once composted, this fertilizer will help your plants grow strong and healthy. Chicken poop is a goldmine for any gardener!
4. Pest Control
Chickens are excellent bug hunters! They’ll scratch through your yard, eating up ticks, beetles, and other insects. This natural pest control is a great way to reduce your reliance on chemical pesticides while letting your flock forage to their heart’s content.
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Setting Up Your Backyard Chicken Flock: The Essentials
Housing: The Coop and Run

The first thing you’ll need is a proper home for your chickens. A well-ventilated coop with enough space is essential for keeping your chickens happy and healthy. Here are some basics:
- Space Requirements: Plan for at least 3 to 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per chicken in the run. Chickens also like to roost, so provide elevated perches inside the coop.
- Protection: Ensure your coop and run are predator-proof. Raccoons, hawks, and even neighborhood dogs might be tempted to check out your chickens.
Automatic Coop Door:

This is a must have for simple, safe chicken keeping, the Automatic Chicken Coop Door!
You can set it and forget it. Quick thing though, every night you gotta make sure they all got in before the door shuts. Some chickens are a little...slow. I'm looking at you Silkies!
This innovative door opens and closes horizontally from the center, with a built-in safety touch sensor on the right panel, making it the safest option on the market.
Choose from three operating modes: time mode, light mode, and manual mode, giving you complete control. You’ll always be aware of the battery life thanks to the convenient display, and it can be powered by either batteries or electricity.
Best of all, it’s assembly-free and incredibly easy to install and set up!
Exhaust Fan:

You need an exhaust fan. Here is a link to the one we have used for over 3 years.
Why: Because Backyarard chickens make alot of dust and the accumulation of chicken manure can smell like amonia. It's a great health and safety tool!
Brooder: Raising Chicks
If you’re starting with baby chicks, you’ll need to set up a brooder. The brooder is a small, contained space with a heat source to keep chicks warm until they grow feathers and can regulate their body temperature. Here's what you'll need for your brooder setup:
- Heating Elements: A heat lamp or heating plate is essential for keeping chicks warm. The temperature should be around 95°F for the first week, and then decrease the temperature by 5°F each week until they are fully feathered.
This is our favorite way to keep our young chicks warm in the brooder and in the coop outside when the temps start to drop.

- Thermometer: A thermometer will help you monitor the temperature in the brooder. If the chicks huddle together directly under the heat source, they’re too cold; if they’re spread out and avoiding it, they’re too hot.
- Bedding: Use pine shavings or straw for bedding. Avoid newspaper, as it can be slippery and cause leg issues in chicks.
- Poultry Feeder and Waterer: Arrange the feeder and waterer off the ground to prevent the chicks from soiling them. Place them at a height where the chicks can easily reach, but not so low that they can kick bedding into them.
- Chick Starter Feed: Chicks need a high-protein diet to grow strong and healthy. Start with a chick starter feed that has about 18-20% protein. As they grow, you can switch to a lower-protein feed.
- Chick Grit: If you're feeding them anything besides commercial feed, you'll need to provide chick grit. This helps them digest food by breaking it down in their gizzard.
- Electrolytes: Adding electrolytes to your chicks' water can give them a healthy boost, especially if they are stressed from shipping or heat.
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Outdoor Living: Transitioning to the Coop
As your chicks grow and the weather warms up, they’ll be ready to move outside. Once they are fully feathered, usually around 6-8 weeks old, they can start living in the coop. Here are some things to keep in mind as you transition your chickens to their new home:
- Temperature: Chickens are sensitive to temperature changes. In hot weather, they’ll eat less, so make sure you provide plenty of shade and fresh water. In cold weather, they’ll need more energy to stay warm, so you might need to increase the protein in their feed slightly to help them maintain body condition.
- Protein Adjustments: For adult chickens, a feed with 16-18% protein is usually sufficient. In colder weather or during molting, you can offer a slightly higher-protein feed or supplements like mealworms to boost their intake.
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Feeding Your Chickens
Do's and Don'ts of Feeding Chickens
Chickens will eat a lot of kitchen scraps, which can be a fun way to reduce food waste, but there are some things you should never feed them. Avoid giving chickens the following foods:
- Avocado: The skin and pit are toxic to chickens.
- Chocolate: Like dogs, chickens should never have chocolate.
- Raw Beans: Uncooked beans contain toxins harmful to chickens.
- Moldy or Rotten Food: Only give your chickens fresh scraps. Moldy food can cause illness.
- Salty or Sugary Foods: Too much salt or sugar can harm their health.
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Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Coop
Besides the basics of a coop and run, here are the essential pieces of equipment you’ll need for keeping your chickens healthy and happy:
1. Poultry Feeder: Keeps feed clean and dry. Hanging the feeder helps keep it off the ground, reducing the risk of contamination.
2. Poultry Waterer: Chickens drink a lot, so having a reliable waterer that keeps their water clean is important.
3. Heat Lamps or Heating Plates: For cold climates or chicks, a heat source is essential.
4. Thermometer: Helps you monitor the temperature in the brooder or coop.
5. Bedding: Pine shavings, straw, or sand are popular choices for keeping the coop dry and odor-free.
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Choosing the Right Chicken Breed
If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to choose these backyard chicken breeds that are known for being hardy, friendly, and easy to care for. Here are 10 beginner-friendly chicken breeds that are perfect for backyard flocks:
1. Buff Orpington: Calm, friendly, and great layers of brown eggs.
2. Plymouth Rock: Hardy, easygoing, and good foragers.
3. Rhode Island Red: Tough, resilient, and great layers of large brown eggs.
4. Australorp: Quiet, gentle, and reliable egg producers.
5. Sussex: Curious, social, and excellent layers.
6. Wyandotte: Cold-hardy, friendly, and beautiful feather patterns.
7. Leghorn: Prolific layers of white eggs and very active.
8. Easter Egger: Laid-back and fun, with colorful eggs!
9. Cochin: Known for their fluffy feathers and gentle nature.
10. Silkie: Adorable, docile, and great for families with kids.
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How Much Space Do You Need?
Chickens need plenty of space to roam and exercise. As mentioned earlier, a good rule of thumb is 3-4 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per chicken in the outdoor run. This ensures they have enough space to spread their wings, scratch, and peck around. Crowding chickens can lead to stress, which can cause problems like pecking or even illness.
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Final Thoughts
Raising your own backyard chicken flock is a rewarding experience that brings fresh eggs, natural fertilizer, and endless entertainment. It might seem overwhelming at first, but once you get your setup in place and choose the right breeds, you’ll find that chickens are relatively low-maintenance pets.
From building a cozy coop and setting up the brooder to feeding them right and watching out for their well-being, starting your chicken journey is all about learning as you go. And before you know it, you’ll be collecting fresh eggs and enjoying the benefits of your happy little flock!
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