Fresh from the coop
26 guides
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.
August 19, 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.
August 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.
August 14, 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.
August 12, 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.
August 10, 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.
August 7, 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.
August 5, 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.
August 3, 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.
July 31, 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.
July 29, 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.
July 27, 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.
July 24, 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.
July 22, 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.
July 20, 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.
July 17, 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.
July 15, 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.
July 13, 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.
July 10, 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.
July 8, 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.
July 6, 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
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
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
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 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
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