Thinking about getting backyard chickens? They’re fun, useful and surprisingly lovable – but they do come with responsibility. To help you decide if they’re right for your family, here’s a simple breakdown of the pros, cons and what’s required.
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Pros
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Reduce food waste – One chicken can recycle up to 3kg of food scraps a month. They’ll even eat crushed eggshells for extra calcium.
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Fresh free-range eggs – Depending on the breed, hens can lay up to 7 eggs a week in summer (less in winter).
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Great for kids – Children adore them and learn where food really comes from.
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Natural pest control – They’ll hunt down insects and bugs for you.
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No daily walks needed 😉
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Garden helpers – Their manure is fantastic fertiliser, and they’ll happily weed, aerate soil and even give the lawn a trim.
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Full of personality – Chickens can be surprisingly affectionate and sociable.
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Cons
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They can be noisy, especially when laying or calling to their friends.
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Say goodbye to your veggie patch if they’re allowed to roam freely.
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They poop… everywhere – decks, paths, you name it.
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Scraps left out can attract rats, so feeding needs to be managed.
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Set-up can be costly – Coop, fencing, feeders, bedding and food add up, especially if you only have 1–3 hens.
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Hens slow down or stop laying after 3–4 years, meaning you’ll need to decide whether to keep them as pets or rehome.
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What You’ll Need
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A predator-proof coop – With a dark, elevated roosting area for nighttime. Whether you build your own or buy one, a coop needs to be safe from predators and include a dark place to roost, as chickens instinctively prefer to roost off the ground. You can view a range of backyard chicken accessories from Somerzby to complete your setup.
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Feeders and waterers – Self-feeding setups are ideal if you’re away for a few days.
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At least two chickens – They’re social animals and don’t cope well alone.
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Outdoor space – For foraging, scratching and dust baths.
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Daily care – Fresh water, quality layer pellets and locking them in at night (foxes love chicken).
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Weekly clean-up – Replace hay/wood shavings and check nesting boxes.
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Wing clipping every 6 months – To stop backyard escape attempts.
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Occasional health checks – Worming, mite/lice treatments and general care.
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A trusted neighbour or friend – If you’re away more than a few days (free eggs are usually enough to convince them!).
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Council Guidelines (City of Ryde)
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No limit on the number of chickens.
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The coop must be at least 4.5 metres from any dwelling, including your own.
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It must be kept clean and not cause odour or health issues.
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In practice, council generally only steps in when a complaint is made.
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Hot Tip – Try Before You Buy
Not sure if you’re ready for the commitment? You can rent chickens and a coop from services like Rentachook or City Chicks for a trial run.
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🥚 Final Thoughts
Chickens are delightful pets with a great return on investment – fresh eggs, less food waste and endless entertainment. They do require daily care, but on average, you’re only looking at about 10 minutes a day.
Kids will love them, your garden will thank you, and your breakfast will never be the same again.