Field notes

Backyard Chicken Guides

Practical, tested, and up-to-date guidance for every stage of chicken keeping — whether you're getting your first chicks or scaling up a mature flock.

Backyard Chicken Biosecurity: Bird Flu, Wild Birds, and Protecting Your Flock

Health

Jul 17, 2026 Field guide

Backyard Chicken Biosecurity: Bird Flu, Wild Birds, and Protecting Your Flock

A practical backyard-flock biosecurity routine covering dedicated footwear, visitors, wild birds, new chickens, cleaning, illness warning signs, and when to report sick birds.

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How to Predator-Proof a Chicken Coop and Run

Coops Housing

Jul 17, 2026 Field guide

How to Predator-Proof a Chicken Coop and Run

Protect backyard chickens with stronger mesh, secure latches, dig-resistant run edges, covered openings, nighttime lockup, and a repeatable inspection routine.

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Where Should You Put a Chicken Coop? Setbacks, Drainage, Shade, and Neighbors

Coops Housing

Jul 17, 2026 Field guide

Where Should You Put a Chicken Coop? Setbacks, Drainage, Shade, and Neighbors

Choose a legal, dry, accessible chicken-coop location by checking setbacks, drainage, sun, shade, utilities, predators, and neighbor impact before you build.

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How Much Space Do Chickens Need? Coop, Run, and Yard Planning

Coops Housing

May 23, 2026 Field guide

How Much Space Do Chickens Need? Coop, Run, and Yard Planning

A beginner-friendly space planning guide for backyard chickens, covering coop square footage, run size, roost length, nest boxes, free-ranging, and when to size up.

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Breeds

May 11, 2026 Field guide

Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners: Eggs, Temperament, Climate, and Small Backyards

A practical beginner guide to choosing chicken breeds by egg production, temperament, climate, noise, space, and first-flock size.

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Backyard Chicken Supplies Checklist: What You Need Before Chicks Arrive

Getting Started

May 6, 2026 Field guide

Backyard Chicken Supplies Checklist: What You Need Before Chicks Arrive

A practical backyard chicken supplies checklist for first-time keepers, including coop gear, brooder supplies, feed, water, bedding, predator proofing, and what to skip.

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Chicken Coop Size for 4, 6, 8, and 10 Hens

Coops Housing

May 1, 2026 Field guide

Chicken Coop Size for 4, 6, 8, and 10 Hens

A practical sizing guide for 4, 6, 8, and 10 hens, with coop square footage, run space, roost length, nest boxes, and buying tips.

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Backyard Chicken Startup Cost: What You Actually Need to Buy

Getting Started

May 1, 2026 Field guide

Backyard Chicken Startup Cost: What You Actually Need to Buy

A practical beginner budget guide for backyard chickens, including coop, run, birds, feed, water, bedding, brooder supplies, predator proofing, and where to save money.

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Getting Started

Apr 29, 2026 Field guide

Getting Started With Backyard Chickens: A Practical First Flock Guide

A clear beginner guide to checking local laws, choosing your first hens, setting up a coop, buying essential supplies, and keeping your flock healthy from day one.

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