Would Chickens Fit Your Life? What Most New Owners Miss

At some point, many people have this thought:

“Should I get chickens?”

Maybe you saw fresh eggs at a farmer’s market.
Maybe your kids asked where eggs come from.
Maybe you’re tired of rising grocery prices.

Whatever sparked it, you’re not alone — and you’re asking the right questions. This guide walks through what people really don’t tell you about owning chickens, so you can decide if it fits your life before you jump in.

Why People Really Want Chickens

Most people don’t get chickens just for eggs.

They get chickens because of how chickens make them feel.

Fresh eggs are part of it, of course — and they taste better, with richer yolks and stronger shells. But that’s only the beginning.

Many families get chickens for their kids. Chickens give kids a real reason to go outside. Feeding the flock, checking water, and collecting eggs turn into simple daily routines that replace screen time without a fight.

Because the chickens depend on them, kids learn responsibility in a way that feels real. Research shows that when kids are trusted with regular chores, they grow into more confident and capable adults. Those small responsibilities help build focus, follow-through, and care for others — skills that shape future jobs, relationships, and everyday life.

Kids also start to understand where food comes from. Eggs aren’t just something from the store; they come from animals they help care for.

Parents often notice another bonus too: chickens slow kids down. Watching them scratch and wander creates calm moments that screens never do.

For many families, chickens don’t just raise food — they help raise kids.

Chickens bring a mix of joy and responsibility that surprises a lot of people. On good days, they meet you at the gate, chatter at your feet, and come running when they hear the feed scoop. Some want to be picked up and tucked under an arm, while others follow close behind like quiet shadows.

Each chicken has a personality — curious, bossy, gentle, or shy — and getting to know them becomes part of the fun. You’ll see your son or daughter trailing behind the flock, whispering to them, giving them names, and giving step-by-step instructions to a hen who ignores every.single.word.

Moments like that are small, but they stick.

But chickens are real animals, not yard decorations. Sometimes a bird slows down, stops laying, or needs a closer look. You may check for mites, add vitamins, or bring a chicken inside to rest during extreme heat or cold.

These moments don’t happen every day, and they’re usually small when caught early. For most people, this care becomes part of the rhythm, not a burden. The steady days of egg collecting, chicken chatter, and quiet routines far outweigh the occasional extra effort.

The Honest Pros (The Good Stuff)

Chickens bring a lot of joy when expectations are realistic.

• Fresh eggs you can trust
• A fun daily routine
• Natural pest control (goodbye bugs)
• Free fertilizer for gardens
• Entertaining little personalities

They’re simple animals, which makes caring for them feel rewarding instead of overwhelming — once you’re set up correctly.

The Honest Cons (The Part People Skip)

Chickens are not hard — but they are not “set it and forget it.”

They need:

• Daily food and water
• Coop cleaning (weekly or bi-weekly)
• Protection from predators
• Care in heat, cold, and storms

They also don’t take days off. Someone has to check on them every day, even if it’s just a few minutes.

The coop setup matters more than most people realize.

Almost all chicken frustration comes from the setup, not the chickens themselves. Chickens are simple animals. They eat, drink, lay eggs, and go to sleep. When something feels hard, it’s usually because the coop makes everything harder than it needs to be.

When a coop is too small, birds get stressed.
When it’s hard to clean, chores pile up.
When it’s poorly built, problems show up fast — wet bedding, smells, pests, and repairs.

That’s when chicken ownership starts to feel like work instead of joy.

But when the coop is sized right, easy to clean, and built for your climate, daily care feels light and manageable. What should take minutes doesn’t turn into a project. Kids stay involved. Parents don’t dread the routine.

This is why so many people say, “I love my chickens, but I hate the coop.”

The truth is, chickens aren’t demanding — bad setups are.

And that’s why the coop you choose matters more than most people are told.

How Much Time Do Chickens Really Take?

On an average day, chickens take about 10–15 minutes.

That includes:

• Refilling food or water
• A quick headcount
• Collecting eggs

Cleaning days take longer, but a well-designed coop makes a big difference. When cleaning is easy, people stay happier — and flocks stay healthier.

This is why planning before buying matters more than people realize.

City vs. Rural: What Changes?

Your location affects your chicken experience more than you might think.

If You Live in a City or Suburb:

• Check local chicken laws (number of birds, roosters)
• Noise and neighbors matter
• Coop size and cleanliness are extra important

If You Live in a Rural Area:

• Fewer restrictions
• More predator pressure
• More space to grow later

Both work well — when the setup matches the environment.

The Question You Should Really Ask

Before keeping chickens, it helps to pause and ask a different question.

Not “Should I get chickens?”
But “Do I want this to feel simple and enjoyable… or stressful?”

Most people can keep chickens. The difference is how prepared they are before the first bird arrives.

Families who plan ahead — thinking about space, cleaning, weather, and daily routines — usually love their chickens. Care feels easy. The routine fits into real life.

When the decision is rushed, small problems add up fast. Cleaning takes longer than expected. The coop doesn’t work the way it should. What was meant to be fun starts to feel like work.

That’s why regret isn’t about the chickens themselves.
It’s almost always about the setup.

Taking a little extra time up front is the difference between joy… and stress.

Thinking about chickens? Save this guide.

This is just the first step.
Next comes choosing the right coop — and avoiding the mistakes most people don’t see coming until it’s too late.

Need help picking the perfect coop? 

Check out the Gone Broody Design Center to go over sizes and features.

Contact Us anytime at (800) 407-2478 or contact@gonebroody.com.

Next Blog: Backyard Chickens 101: What You Actually Need to Get Started