We Got Chickens!
Big news from the hill - we've added five hens to the homestead. This is our very first flock, and while we’re definitely still learning the ropes, it already feels like a big step toward the kind of self-sufficiency we’re aiming for.
Rebecca putting the first Hen into the coop.
Story Time: The Animal Swap
These chickens came to us from a local Animal Swap, where we “swapped” $30 for each chicken from one seller. There are 2 Rhode Island Reds (RIR), one RIR mix, and two red-sexlink Hens. With these breeds, we’re expecting a solid egg-laying crew, and likely more eggs than we can eat ourselves.
Attending the animal swap was a neat experience. I had seen it advertised on Craigslist and Facebook for so long, and we finally decided to check it out. I posted in the group ahead of time, saying we were looking for laying hens or pullets—we didn’t want to start with baby chicks and deal with a brooder and everything that comes with it.
So we drove to this Animal Swap, and arrived about an hour after it opened, and let me tell you, hens were hot commodities. The five we bought came from a family who had already sold over 20 birds by the time we got there! I told myself going into it that I would not pay more than $30/bird, and once I saw that price and the fine specimens these hens are, I was sold.
The kind people at the swap helped me get them ready for transport, and we took them to their new home. The hens were calm the whole ride home and took to their new coop immediately—pecking at grains, checking the nesting boxes, sipping water, and hopping onto the roosts. I gave them space to settle in, and they made themselves right at home.
Why Chickens?
We knew early on that chickens would be one of our first animals. They're (supposedly) beginner-friendly, they provide eggs (which we’ll eat), help with pest control (here’s hoping they go after ticks!), provide fertilizer, and just bring movement and energy to the land. Plus, watching them peck around is weirdly calming.
We didn’t get a rooster—felt like too much too soon. But never say never.
Meet the Ladies
We don’t have official names for all of them yet (suggestions welcome!), but they each have their own vibe. A couple clearly run the show, and one... well, let’s just say she’s more curious than coordinated. It’s been fun watching their personalities emerge.
I'm considering naming the biggest RIR Ruby, after the character from Supernatural—we’re currently rewatching the show, and it feels like a good fit for her vibe.
The hens right after being placed in the coop.
The Setup
We put together a simple prefab coop from Tractor Supply that we got on sale last year, paired with a run we built using salvaged fencing and T-posts. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it’s safe, dry, and functional—and that’s what matters right now. We’ll probably expand and improve it over time as we learn more.
Our biggest concern right now is predators. We’ve seen hawks flying over us, spotted a fox in the field, and heard of stray cats at night. Oh, and not to mention the neighbor’s dog that sometimes gets out. Hopefully, maintaining vigilance and installing a motion-sensing camera can help us dissuade any possible predators.
We’re keeping a 50lb bag of feed in a sealed bin in our shed and using the rainwater we’ve collected for them to drink. Where we live, it’s actually pretty common to see free-range chickens near roads and front yards, so we’re optimistic that predator pressure will be manageable in the long run.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Chickens poop… A LOT. Coop cleaning is already a part of the routine.
They really do look and act like little dinosaurs—ferocious when they eat, with eyes that size you up.
The first night checking on them, opening the coop, and seeing them roosting was surreal! We can’t believe they sleep comfortably like that.
Water and feed systems matter more than we realized. We’re already making adjustments for easier refills and less mess.
What’s Next?
The hens are nearly fully grown, so we’re expecting eggs any day now! Until then, we’re focused on keeping them healthy, watching for any signs of trouble, learning everything we can, and just enjoying this new layer of homestead life.
Adding animals has shifted the rhythm around here; it’s added routine, responsibility, and a daily reminder that we’re building something real, one creature at a time.
More updates soon… and probably way too many chicken photos.