Starting a backyard flock is mostly about getting the setup ready before the birds arrive. Chickens themselves are easy to keep; the work is in having the right home and gear in place on day one. Here's the complete beginner checklist, what each item is for, and when you need it.
Quick answer
To start raising chickens you need a coop and run, a feeder and waterer, the right feed, bedding, nesting boxes, and the birds. Add a brooder with heat only if you start with chicks rather than grown hens.
The essential checklist
Everything below should be ready before your chickens come home. The coop is the big one; the rest is inexpensive and quick to set up.
| What you need | Why | When |
|---|---|---|
| Coop and run | Shelter, safety, and space to roam | Before birds arrive |
| Feeder and waterer | Clean food and water daily | Before birds arrive |
| Feed (right type for age) | Balanced nutrition by life stage | Before birds arrive |
| Bedding | Absorbs moisture, keeps the coop clean | Before birds arrive |
| Nesting boxes | A private place to lay eggs | Before laying age |
| The chickens | Chicks (cheaper) or pullets (skip brooding) | Once setup is ready |
| Brooder and heat | Warmth for chicks in their first weeks | Only if starting with chicks |
Set up the coop and run first
The coop and run is your biggest decision and purchase, so start there. It needs to shelter the birds, keep predators out, and give each hen enough room. Size it correctly from the start with our coop size calculator, and see the full space rules in how big a chicken coop should be. A too-small coop causes stress and pecking that are hard to fix later.
Feeder, waterer, feed, and bedding
Chickens need constant access to clean water and the right feed for their age, so a feeder and waterer are day-one essentials. Match the feed to the birds' life stage using our chicken feeding chart by age. Bedding, usually pine shavings or straw, lines the coop floor and nesting boxes to absorb moisture and keep things clean.
Before you buy: check local rules
Many towns limit how many hens you can keep and commonly ban roosters, so confirm your local ordinance before buying birds or a coop. It's a quick check that saves a lot of trouble.
How many birds, and which breed?
Decide your flock size and breed before you buy. A family of four is usually well served by five to seven hens; see how many chickens a family needs or use the how many chickens calculator. For easy, reliable first birds, start with our best egg-laying breeds for beginners.
What it all costs
A full setup runs about $300 to $700, with the coop as the main variable. Our startup cost breakdown itemizes every piece, and the feed cost calculator shows the ongoing feed budget once you're up and running.
Key takeaways
- Have the coop, feeder, waterer, feed, bedding, and nesting boxes ready before the birds arrive.
- You only need a brooder and heat source if you start with chicks.
- Set up and size the coop first; it's the biggest purchase.
- Check your town's rules on hen numbers and roosters before buying.
- Pick your flock size and a beginner-friendly breed in advance.
Ready to plan? Size your flock with the how many chickens calculator, size the coop with the coop size calculator, and budget it all with the startup cost breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to start raising chickens?
The essentials are a coop and run, a feeder and waterer, the right feed for your birds' age, bedding, nesting boxes, and the chickens themselves. If you start with chicks rather than grown hens, you'll also need a brooder with a heat source for the first weeks.
What should a beginner buy first for chickens?
Set up the coop and run first, since it's the biggest purchase and everything else depends on it. Then add a feeder, waterer, feed, and bedding before the birds arrive, so their home is ready on day one.
Do you need a brooder to raise chickens?
Only if you start with chicks. Chicks need a warm, draft-free brooder with a heat source for their first several weeks. If you buy point-of-lay pullets instead, you can skip the brooder and put them straight in the coop.
Is it hard to start raising chickens?
Not especially. Chickens are among the easier backyard animals to keep. The main work is daily feeding, watering, and egg collection, plus a coop clean every week or two. Getting the setup right before the birds arrive is the biggest part.
How much does it cost to get started with chickens?
Usually $300 to $700 for the coop, gear, and birds, though a DIY setup can come in under $200. See our full startup cost breakdown for an itemized budget.