Starting Your Backyard Flock: Beginner's Guide
Thinking about raising backyard chickens? You're in the right place. At Stafford Hill Farms, we've helped hundreds of families start their first flock — and we've put together this guide to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Step 1: Choose the Right Breed
The best breed depends on your goals. Here's a quick breakdown of what we carry:
- Golden Comet — Our most popular breed. Exceptional layers (300–350 eggs/year), calm, and beginner-friendly. Shop Golden Comets | Care Guide
- Barred Rock — Hardy, dual-purpose birds that lay consistently and handle cold weather well.
- Buff Orpington — Gentle giants. Great with kids, excellent layers, and cold-hardy.
- Easter Egger — Lay beautiful blue and green eggs. A fun, friendly breed for any flock.
- French Copper Maran — Known for their rich, dark chocolate-brown eggs. A favorite among egg enthusiasts.
Step 2: Set Up Your Coop Before They Arrive
Have everything ready before pickup day. You'll need:
- Coop space: At least 4 sq ft per bird inside, 8–10 sq ft in the run
- Nesting boxes: One box per 3–4 hens
- Roosting bars: 8–10 inches of bar space per bird
- Ventilation: Good airflow prevents respiratory issues — but no drafts
- Predator proofing: Hardware cloth (not chicken wire) on all openings
Step 3: Feed & Water Basics
- Use a grower feed (18–20% protein) until your pullets begin laying
- Switch to layer pellets or crumble (16–18% protein) at point-of-lay
- Always provide fresh, clean water — hens drink more than you'd expect
- Offer free-choice oyster shell for calcium once laying begins
- Treats are fine in moderation — scratch, mealworms, and kitchen scraps are favorites
Step 4: Picking Up Your Pullets
Our ready-to-lay pullets are 18 weeks old at pickup and will begin laying within 3–6 weeks of getting home and settled. All birds are vaccinated for Marek's disease and Infectious Bursal disease, and tested for avian influenza and salmonella enteritidis.
Need a transport box? Add one to your order for just $3.00 — holds up to 6 hens.
Pickup is at:
Stafford Hill Farms
58 Sheehan Road, Fletcher NC 28732
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM on your scheduled date
Step 5: The First Few Days at Home
- Keep new birds in the coop for 2–3 days so they learn it's home base
- Check on them morning and evening — watch for signs of stress or illness
- Minimize handling for the first week to let them settle
- If introducing to an existing flock, use the "see but don't touch" method for 1–2 weeks
Step 6: Enjoy the Eggs (and the Honey!)
Once your hens are laying, you'll have more fresh eggs than you know what to do with. Pair that farm-fresh lifestyle with our raw Sourwood and Wildflower Honey — straight from our hives to your table.
Have Questions?
We're always happy to help. Give us a call or text before placing your order if you have any questions about breed selection, flock size, or pickup logistics. Raising chickens is one of the most rewarding things you can do — and we're here to make sure you start off right.