More eggs, healthy hens, zero losses

Practical backyard chicken hacks for real-life keepers: why hens stop laying, how to get through winter, what to feed, which breeds to pick and how to keep predators out.

Molting Frozen water Winter laying Coop size Sick chicken?Pumpkins

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New to chickens?The complete beginner guide: laws, costs, coop, feed and routine.Hens stopped laying?11 causes and the fix for each, in plain English.Winter is comingKeep your flock warm and safe, without fire risk.Want more eggs?The 15 best egg-laying breeds for beginners.What can they eat?A printable chart of safe and unsafe foods.Zero lossesPredator-proof your coop before the raccoons find it.

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Getting StartedLaws, costs, first flock, routine BreedsBest layers, cold-hardy, kid-friendly CoopsSize, ventilation, predator-proofing FeedingFeed, treats, safe & unsafe foods Eggs & LayingMore eggs, molting, egg care HealthSick chicken signs, prevention Winter CareWarmth, water, winter laying GearWaterers, heaters, doors, feeders

Latest guides

Eggs & Laying

Why Are My Chickens Not Laying Eggs? 11 Causes and Easy Fixes

Short days, molt, age, stress, feed, hidden nests and more: here are the 11 reasons chickens stop laying, how to tell which one you…
Health

Signs of a Sick Chicken: Symptoms, First Aid and When to Call a Vet

Learn to spot a sick chicken early, set up a hospital crate, recognize common chicken diseases and know when to call a vet or…
Coops

Predator-Proof Chicken Coop: How to Protect Chickens From Predators

Stop losing hens to raccoons, foxes, hawks and weasels. Identify the predator from the signs it leaves and harden your coop with the right…
Coops

How to Winterize a Chicken Coop: Ventilation, Insulation, Litter

Dry, draft-free and well ventilated beats sealed and heated. Here is a step-by-step plan to winterize your chicken coop, from vents and insulation to…
Winter Care

How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter (Without Fire Risk)

Healthy chickens handle cold far better than most people think. Here is how to help them stay warm with a dry, draft-free coop, smart…
Getting Started

How Many Chickens Should I Get? Egg Math for Your Family

Most beginners should start with 3 to 6 hens. Use this egg math table to match your flock size to the eggs your family…
Winter Care

Do Chickens Lay Eggs in Winter? Light, Feed and Safe Coop Lighting

Hens slow down in winter because of short days, not cold. Here is how many hours of light they need, how to add it…
Eggs & Laying

Chicken Molting: How Long It Lasts and What to Feed Molting Hens

Molting is the normal yearly feather swap that pauses laying for 8 to 12 weeks. Here is the timeline, what to feed, how to…
Coops

Chicken Coop Size Guide: Space, Roosts and Nesting Boxes

Plan 4 sq ft of coop and 8 to 10 sq ft of run per hen, 8 to 10 inches of roost each and…

Winter checklist for your flock

Shorter days, frozen water and drafty coops are the three big winter problems. Start with winterizing your coop (ventilation matters more than heat), keep water liquid with a heated waterer, think twice before adding a coop heater, and read why hens lay less in winter and what you can do about it.