If you want backyard chickens next spring, the work starts now. Not the chicken work, the planning work. The families who have the smoothest first year are the ones who sorted out the rules, the coop, and the brooder over the winter, so that when chicks show up in spring, everything is ready. Here's the timeline we'd give a friend in New Jersey who's starting from zero.
Why start planning in the fall?
Two reasons. First, chick season comes fast. Once feed stores have chicks in the bins, it's tempting to bring some home before the coop is ready, and that's how people end up with six chickens living in a bathtub in May. Second, coop builders get busy. Most people decide on a coop between January and March, and our build schedule fills from March through June. Deciding in the fall means your coop is on the ground before the chicks need it.
October to December: check your town's rules
Before you buy anything, find out what your town allows. New Jersey leaves most chicken rules to each municipality, and they vary a lot. Things to look for:
- Whether hens are allowed on your lot at all
- How many birds you can keep
- Whether roosters are banned (they usually are in residential areas)
- Whether you need a permit or license
- How far the coop has to sit from property lines and neighboring homes
- Any HOA rules on top of the town's
We've mapped the rules for hundreds of towns on our NJ chickens by town page. Use it as a starting point, then confirm with your town clerk or zoning office, since ordinances change. This is general information, not legal advice.
This is also a good time to pick your coop spot. Walk the yard after a heavy rain and look for somewhere that drains well, gets some sun in winter, has some shade in summer, and meets your town's setbacks.
November to January: decide on flock size and breeds
Flock size. For most families, three to four hens is a good start. Keep in mind that almost everyone adds birds after the first season, so size the coop a little ahead of your starting number. Our coop calculator works out coop and run square footage, roost length, and nest boxes for the flock you're planning.
Also check the math against your town's limit. If your town allows six, there's no point building for twelve.
Breeds. For a first flock in New Jersey, you want calm, cold-hardy, reliable layers. We point most beginners to the Buff Orpington. See our best breeds for beginners for other good choices.
Fall into winter: order the coop
Once you know your rules, your spot, and your flock size, it's time to lock in the coop. A coop is the one piece you can't improvise when the birds are already here. It needs predator-proof hardware cloth (not chicken wire), a dig-proof skirt, secure latches, and real ventilation.
Our coop models start at $4,950 and go up to $10,800 depending on size and features. We design each one with you, can show you a 3D rendering, and build it on your property. The earlier you order, the more flexibility you have on build dates.
January to March: choose chicks or pullets
You have two main ways to start a flock:
Day-old chicks from a hatchery or feed store. They're inexpensive and fun to raise, and the kids get to watch them grow up. They also need a brooder for several weeks, and they won't lay until they're mature. University of Florida extension puts the start of egg production at about 18 to 22 weeks of age, depending on breed and season.
- Hatcheries take orders ahead of time, and popular breeds can sell out, so order over the winter for spring delivery.
- Feed stores usually stock chicks in late winter and spring. Call yours to ask when their chicks arrive and which breeds they're getting.
- Check if chicks are sexed. "Pullets" means female. "Straight run" means a mix, which can mean surprise roosters your town won't allow.
Started pullets are young hens, usually a few months old. They skip the brooder stage and start laying sooner. Local keepers sometimes have pullets and chicks available, and you can find neighbors selling them on our free Backyard Exchange. Whoever you buy from, keep new birds separate and watch them for a few weeks before mixing them with any birds you already have.
Two weeks before chicks arrive: set up the brooder
Chicks can't hold their own body heat at first, so they start in a brooder: a warm, draft-free box or pen indoors or in a garage. Get it set up and running before the chicks come home.
- A secure enclosure with sides tall enough that chicks can't hop out, and a cover if you have pets.
- A safe heat source. Many keepers now use a radiant heat plate instead of a heat lamp. If you use a lamp, secure it so it can't fall, because heat lamps are a real fire risk.
- The right temperature. UNH Extension recommends 90 to 95 degrees for the first week, then dropping it by about 5 degrees each week.
- Room to move away from the heat. Chicks that huddle under the heat are cold. Chicks spread along the far edge are too hot. Chicks spread evenly and peeping softly are just right.
- Bedding, chick feeder, and chick waterer. Pine shavings work well. Avoid slick newspaper, which is hard on young legs.
About 5 to 6 weeks: move chicks out to the coop
Chicks can move out once they're fully feathered, usually around five to six weeks old. Go by the feathers, not the calendar: the fuzzy down should be gone and real feathers filled in across the body. Move them during a mild stretch, not in the middle of a cold snap. We cover this in detail in when can chicks go outside.
Once they're in the coop, they don't need added heat. A dry, well-ventilated coop matters far more than a warm one.
Your winter checklist
- Oct to Dec: Check town rules and HOA rules. Pick a well-drained coop spot.
- Nov to Jan: Decide flock size and breeds. Size the coop with the calculator.
- Fall and winter: Order your coop so it's ready before the chicks.
- Jan to Mar: Order chicks or line up pullets.
- Two weeks before chicks: Set up and test the brooder.
- Chicks at 5 to 6 weeks: Move them out once fully feathered.
Start your coop now
The single best thing you can do this fall is get your coop on the calendar. Order in the fall to skip the March-through-June rush, and your coop will be built and waiting when your chicks are ready to move out. Tell us about your flock and your yard on our quote form, or call or text 973-846-1575.