Fresh from the coop
50 guides
The Deep Litter Method for Chicken Coops, Explained
Learn how the deep litter method works, how to start it in your coop, and how to manage composting coop bedding through the seasons.
July 4, 2026
How to Keep Chickens Hydrated in Summer and Winter
Practical tips for watering chickens year-round, from choosing the right chicken waterer to keeping water from freezing and knowing when electrolytes help.
July 3, 2026
Keeping Hens Laying Through Winter
Learn why egg production drops in winter and how supplemental light, good feed, and a dry coop can help your hens keep laying through the cold months.
July 3, 2026
When Do Chickens Start Laying Eggs?
Most pullets lay their first egg between 18 and 24 weeks old. Learn what affects timing, signs a hen is close to laying, and how to support her first eggs.
July 3, 2026
How to Introduce New Chickens to an Existing Flock
A step-by-step keeper's guide to adding chickens to a flock safely, managing the pecking order, and keeping stress low for birds old and new.
July 2, 2026
A Beginner's Checklist Before Bringing Chickens Home
A practical backyard chicken checklist covering legality, housing, feed, and flock health so new owners are ready before the first bird arrives.
July 1, 2026
Chicken Breeds That Lay Colorful Eggs
A practical guide to chickens that lay colored eggs: blue, green, pink, and chocolate, with breed profiles and tips for building a rainbow egg basket.
July 1, 2026
Signs of a Sick Chicken and What to Do
Learn the key signs of a sick chicken: lethargy, pale combs, labored breathing, and more, plus what steps to take before calling a poultry vet.
July 1, 2026
How to Predator-Proof a Chicken Coop and Run
Learn how to predator proof a chicken coop and run with hardware cloth, secure latches, buried aprons, and a solid nightly routine that keeps your flock safe.
June 30, 2026
Fermenting Chicken Feed: Is It Worth It?
Learn how to ferment chicken feed at home, what the real benefits are, and whether the extra effort fits your flock's routine.
June 29, 2026
What to Feed Backyard Chickens: A Complete Guide
Learn exactly what to feed backyard chickens at every life stage, from chick starter to layer pellets, plus safe treats, grit, and foods to avoid.
June 29, 2026
Chicks, Pullets, or Hens: The Best Way to Start a Flock
Deciding whether to buy day-old chicks, started pullets, or laying hens? This guide breaks down the real trade-offs so you can choose what fits your setup.
June 28, 2026
Do You Need a Rooster for Hens to Lay Eggs?
No, hens lay eggs without a rooster. Learn the difference between fertile and infertile eggs, when a rooster actually matters, and what affects egg production.
June 28, 2026
Biosecurity Basics for a Backyard Flock
Practical chicken biosecurity steps for backyard keepers: quarantine new chickens, limit disease entry, and keep your flock healthy with simple daily habits.
June 27, 2026
Bantam Chickens: Are Mini Breeds Right for You?
Bantam chickens are a quarter the size of standard birds but bring just as much personality. Find out whether small chicken breeds fit your yard, goals, and...
June 26, 2026
The Best Bedding for a Chicken Coop
A practical keeper-to-keeper guide to chicken coop bedding: pine shavings, straw, and other litter options compared so you can pick what works for your flock.
June 26, 2026
The Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners
New to backyard chickens? These calm, hardy breeds lay reliably and forgive beginner mistakes. Find your perfect starter flock right here.
June 26, 2026
How to Clean and Sanitize Your Chicken Coop: A Step-by-Step Routine
A practical keeper-to-keeper guide to spot cleaning, deep cleaning, and sanitizing your chicken coop -- with chicken-safe products and bedding tips.
June 25, 2026
How Big Should a Chicken Coop Be? Space per Bird
Learn exactly how much space chickens need inside the coop and in the run, with square footage guidelines by flock size and breed type.
June 24, 2026
How Long Do Chickens Lay Eggs? The Productive Years
A practical look at chicken laying lifespan, how egg production changes by age, and what to expect from your flock as hens get older.
June 24, 2026
How Much to Feed Chickens per Day
Learn how much chicken feed per day your hens actually need, whether free feeding or scheduled meals work better, and what to watch for when something is off.
June 24, 2026
Dual-Purpose Chicken Breeds for Eggs and Meat
A practical keeper-to-keeper guide to the best dual-purpose chicken breeds for homesteads and backyard flocks, covering egg production, table qualities, and...
June 23, 2026
Backyard Chickens for Beginners: What to Know Before You Start
New to keeping chickens? Learn the essentials: breeds, coop space, feed, legal rules, and real costs before you buy your first flock.
June 22, 2026
Common Chicken Diseases and How to Spot Them
A plain-language guide to the diseases backyard keepers see most often: what to watch for, what it means, and when to call a vet.
June 22, 2026
Soft-Shelled and Weird Eggs: Causes and Fixes
Find out why your hens lay soft shell eggs, thin eggshells, or no shell eggs at all, and what practical steps you can take to fix the problem.
June 21, 2026
The Best Chicken Breeds for Kids and Families
Looking for friendly chickens for kids? These docile chicken breeds are calm, easy to handle, and a great fit for a family backyard flock.
June 21, 2026
How to Deal With a Broody Hen
Learn what a broody hen is, why she goes broody, and the gentlest, most effective ways to break a broody hen and get her back to normal.
June 20, 2026
Free-Ranging Chickens: Benefits, Risks, and How to Do It Safely
Free-ranging gives chickens real benefits, but predators and toxic plants are genuine hazards. Here's how to decide if your yard is a good fit and build a ro...
June 19, 2026
How Much Time Do Backyard Chickens Really Take?
Honest breakdown of daily chicken chores, weekly tasks, and seasonal demands so you know what chicken care time looks like before you bring home a flock.
June 19, 2026
Foods Chickens Should Never Eat
A keeper-to-keeper guide to toxic foods for chickens, from nightshade plants to moldy scraps, so you can share kitchen treats safely.
June 18, 2026
Roosting Bars: Setup and Why Chickens Need Them
Learn how to set up chicken roosting bars, the right height, size, and spacing — plus how a roost differs from a nesting box.
June 17, 2026
The Real Pros and Cons of Keeping Backyard Chickens
Honest look at the pros and cons of backyard chickens: fresh eggs, garden benefits, real costs, and daily commitments before you buy your first chicks.
June 17, 2026
How to Collect and Store Fresh Eggs Safely
Learn how to store fresh eggs from backyard hens correctly — when to wash, how long they last, and the best storage spots for safety and flavor.
June 16, 2026
Chicken Molting: What's Normal and How to Help
Learn what chicken molting looks like, when it happens, why egg production drops, and practical ways to support your flock through feather loss season.
June 15, 2026
Heat-Tolerant Chicken Breeds for Hot Climates
Discover the best heat-tolerant chicken breeds for hot climates. Learn which breeds thrive in southern summers and how to keep your flock safe.
June 14, 2026
Safe Treats and Kitchen Scraps for Chickens
Find out which treats and kitchen scraps are safe for chickens, which to avoid, and how to feed extras without upsetting their diet.
June 14, 2026
Nesting Boxes: How Many, What Size, and Where to Put Them
Learn how many chicken nesting boxes you need, the right size, best bedding choices, and exactly where to mount them for happy, productive hens.
June 13, 2026
How Many Chickens Should a Beginner Start With?
Most beginners do best with 3–6 chickens. Learn how flock size affects eggs, space, cost, and daily care before you bring home your first birds.
June 12, 2026
Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
Hens not laying? Discover the most common reasons for a sudden drop in egg production and practical steps to get your flock back on track.
June 12, 2026
Deworming Chickens: When and How
Learn how to recognize worms in chickens, choose the right chicken dewormer, and treat your flock safely with this practical keeper's guide.
June 11, 2026
Cold-Hardy Chicken Breeds for Northern Climates
Discover the best cold-hardy chicken breeds for northern winters. Practical keeper-to-keeper guide covering frostbite risk, egg production, and coop tips.
June 10, 2026
Do Chickens Need Grit and Oyster Shell?
Find out why grit and oyster shell matter for backyard chickens, how to offer them, and what soft eggshells tell you about calcium intake.
June 10, 2026
Chicken Coop Ventilation: Why It Matters and How to Get It Right
Good chicken coop ventilation removes moisture, ammonia, and heat while keeping drafts off your birds. Here's how to size and place vents correctly.
June 9, 2026
Are Backyard Chickens Legal? How to Check Local Rules
Learn how to find chicken zoning laws in your city or county before you buy your first bird. A practical guide to ordinances, permits, and neighbor relations.
June 8, 2026
How to Get More Eggs From Your Hens
Practical tips to increase egg production in backyard flocks: light, feed, molt, breed selection, and flock health explained.
June 7, 2026
How to Treat Mites and Lice on Chickens
How to identify, treat, and prevent chicken mites and lice: a keeper-to-keeper guide to red mites, treatment options, and coop hygiene.
June 7, 2026
Layer Feed vs Starter vs Grower: What to Use When
Learn when to use chick starter, grower, and layer feed, and why the switch timing matters more than most keepers realize.
June 6, 2026
How to Build a Chicken Coop: A Beginner's Guide
How to build a chicken coop from scratch: a practical beginner's guide to sizing, materials, ventilation, nesting boxes, and predator-proofing.
June 5, 2026
The Best Egg-Laying Chicken Breeds
Discover the top egg-laying chicken breeds for backyard flocks, with real production numbers, temperament notes, and tips for picking the right layers.
June 5, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Keep Backyard Chickens?
A practical breakdown of backyard chicken startup costs and monthly expenses so you can budget realistically before your first flock arrives.
June 4, 2026