Keeping chickens
Raising a few hens in a garden coop for company and fresh eggs.
Keeping chickens
- To start
- $400
- Each month
- $25
- Time
- 3 hours a week
- Sessions
- 15 minutes or more
- Where
- At home
- Who with
- On your own
Is it for you?
- It makes things you'll actually use.
- It's all about living things.
- It has a steady rhythm you can sink into.
- There's no one to beat, ever.
You’ll like it if
- You want to make useful things
- You want to build something of your own
- You want to switch off
Maybe not if
- You want to spend very little to start
- You hate cleaning up
- You want something fast and exciting
Heads upAnimals up closeMessy
What it feels like
Keeping chickensAverage nature & Outdoors hobbyCalm
Company
Physical effort
Creative freedom
Brainwork
Hands-on
Outdoors
Quick wins
$400Costs more to start than 95% of hobbies
$25Less over a year than the kit
$700About $4 an hour at 3 hours a week
Before you buy
Borrow from a friend or buy second-hand first. Upgrade once you know you will keep going.
Your first session
Set up a coop for three hens and collect your first eggs a few weeks later.
15 minutes or moreAt homeFairly easy to start
Questions
How much does keeping chickens cost to start?
About $400 if you rent or borrow where people usually do, then about $25 a month once you are going.
How much time does keeping chickens take?
About 3 hours a week to enjoy it and get better, in sessions of 15 minutes or more.
Can I do keeping chickens at home?
Yes. Needs a garage, workshop or garden.
Is keeping chickens good for beginners?
It takes a bit more setting up than most hobbies. A good first session: Set up a coop for three hens and collect your first eggs a few weeks later.
Do I need other people for keeping chickens?
No. It works fine on your own.