The Complete Backyard Chicken Guide: From Egg to Hen to More Eggs!

Let’s be real — eggs are ridiculously expensive right now. Every time I walk past the dairy aisle, I say a little prayer before I look at the price tag. So instead of forking over $8 for a dozen, I did something totally offbeat: I decided to hatch my own chickens. From scratch. Literally.

This is the story of how I went from holding a warm egg in my hand to hearing the first cluck in my backyard… and eventually collecting eggs of my own. If you're curious, slightly crazy (in a good way), and ready for an egg adventure, this guide’s for you.

Why Raise Chickens in 2025?

We’ve seen it in the headlines — egg shortages, avian flu, and prices that just keep rising. It’s no wonder more people are turning to backyard chickens for reliable food and a bit of rural charm in the suburbs. But what they don’t always tell you is that you can start with nothing more than a fertilized egg, a bit of gear, and some patience.

It’s like a science project meets breakfast buffet.

Phase 1: Hatching Your Own Chicks from Eggs

Step 1: Get Fertilized Eggs

Nope, not from the grocery store. You’ll need fertilized hatching eggs — try a local farm, hatchery, or even eBay. Prices vary, but expect around $2–$4 per egg depending on breed.

👉 Pro tip: Go with hardy beginner breeds like Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, or Barred Rock.

Step 2: Incubator Time

You’ll need an egg incubator that maintains the perfect humidity and temperature (99.5°F). Here's what worked for me:

🥚 Recommended Product:

Manna Pro Harris Farms Nurture Right 360 Incubator

• Auto-turns eggs, digital readout, perfect for first-timers
• Price: ~$150
• Rating: ⭐ 4.6/5 (4,200+ reviews)

I popped in six eggs and stared at them like a Netflix show for three weeks straight.

Step 3: The Waiting Game (21 Days)

Over the next three weeks, you’ll:

• Candle the eggs (shine a light to see development)
• Adjust humidity levels (~50% early on, 65-70% last days)
• Hold your breath on day 21 as tiny beaks peck through the shells

When you hear the first chirp, it’s pure magic. Your chicks are alive!

Phase 2: Raising Chicks Like a Pro

Set Up Your Brooder

Your tiny fluff balls need warmth, clean bedding, water, and feed. Think of it as a cozy baby nursery — for birds.

🐣 Must-Haves:

• Heat lamp or brooder plate (95°F to start, reduce weekly)
• Pine shavings (never cedar — toxic!)
• Chick feeder and waterer
• Starter feed with 20–24% protein

🔧 Product Tip:

RentACoop Chick Brooder Kit

• Comes with adjustable brooder plate and shallow water dish
• Price: ~$59
• Rating: ⭐ 4.7/5

Daily Chick Care

• Refill water/feed
• Clean the brooder every 2–3 days
• Handle them gently so they grow used to humans (yes, they’ll love you)

In about 6 weeks, your peeping chicks start to look like miniature chickens. It’s like fast-forwarding evolution.

Phase 3: The Coop Life

Once they’re feathered out (6–8 weeks), it’s time to introduce them to the outdoors.

Building or Buying a Coop

You’ll need:

• Space (4 square feet per chicken inside; 10+ outside)

• Nesting boxes (one for every 3–4 hens)

• Ventilation (chickens are sensitive to ammonia buildup)

• Security (raccoons = chicken nightmares)

🏠 Product Pick:

Omlet Eglu Cube Chicken Coop

• Predator-proof, easy to clean, stylish for suburbia
• Price: ~$750
• Rating: ⭐ 4.8/5

If you're on a tighter budget, you can DIY one from a shed or repurpose a large dog house. Add a run with chicken wire, and you're golden.

Phase 4: Egg-citement — When Chickens Start Laying

By month 5 or 6, you’ll walk outside one morning and find it: a tiny, warm egg nestled in straw. You’ll cry. (Okay, I cried. No shame.)

Expect:

• 1 egg per hen per day in peak season
• Slight slowdowns in winter (add a coop-safe light if needed)
• Colorful eggs based on breed — brown, blue, even green!

At this point, you’ve officially completed the chicken life cycle — from egg, to chicken, to more eggs.

Bonus: What About Roosters?

If you only want eggs, you don’t need a rooster. In fact, most city ordinances ban them because of the noise.

But if you want to continue hatching your own chicks, you’ll need one gallant gentleman in your flock. Fair warning: roosters are early risers and not exactly polite.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

Let’s see…

All in all, I spent around $500 — less than one year of organic eggs at today’s prices. And the best part? My kids learned responsibility, I reconnected with nature, and my mornings now start with a happy “bawk” instead of a beep.

So yes — you can go from buying overpriced eggs to collecting your own fresh breakfast, all while having a feathery adventure along the way.

Just don’t forget to name your chickens. Mine? Waffle, Omelet, and Pancake. 🐔🍳