Start here · Essential guide
Best Beginner Chickens
Which chickens suit a first flock? Compare calm, hardy, reliable breeds, learn what to avoid at first, and get basic advice on buying and caring for your birds.
Chickens
Chicken Keeping Basics
8 guides, starting with Best Beginner Chickens.
Chicken Pecking Order
How the chicken pecking order works, how long it takes to form, how to tell normal squabbling from bullying, and what to do when a hen is being picked on.
Free Range Backyard Chickens
Thinking of letting your chickens roam? Learn the benefits and risks of free range backyard chickens, safer ways to do it, feeding tips, and egg-selling cautions.
Introducing Chickens to a New Home
How to settle chickens into a new coop, quarantine newcomers, add birds to an existing flock, and know when young chicks are ready to move outside.
The Importance of Raising Chickens
Why do people raise chickens? Explore the benefits of backyard flocks, from eggs and garden help to education, plus the responsibilities and costs to consider.
Types of Chicken Feed
Starter, grower, layer, and flock raiser: learn the main types of chicken feed, the difference between mash, crumble and pellets, and foods to avoid.
What Does Straight Run Chicken Mean?
Straight run chicks are unsexed, so you may get hens, roosters, or both. Learn how it differs from pullets, the pros and cons, and how to plan for extra roosters.
What Makes a Good Chicken Coop
A good chicken coop is secure, dry, ventilated, and easy to clean. Learn about space, predator-proofing, roosts, nest boxes, and common coop mistakes to avoid.
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