When you’re looking to bring home backyard chickens for the first time, breed is an important consideration. Different breeds have different needs, particularly when it comes to the climate you live in and the space you have available. Choosing the right breed for your backyard environment ensures happier, healthier birds and a more enjoyable experience… Read more »
Raising baby chicks for the first time is an exciting experience, but once they’ve grown past their fluffy beginnings, it’s time to start thinking about moving them into their outdoor coop. That transition can be a little nerve-wracking, especially for first-time chicken owners. But with a few key steps, you can make the process safe… Read more »
We’re only a few weeks out from the beginning of spring. And with the change of the season comes spring cleaning. For backyard chicken owners, the coop should very much be a part of that process each year. Refreshing your coop not only keeps your chickens healthy and happy, but also ensures that your backyard… Read more »
Starting the journey of raising backyard chickens is an exciting time in life. But it’s incredibly important to ensure you have the right supplies is crucial for a smooth start. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or looking to enhance your existing setup, here are essential items that will help you and your feathered friends… Read more »
Owning backyard chickens is a rewarding experience that also comes with its share of responsibilities. Just like any other pet, chickens require care, attention, and a conducive environment to thrive. If you’re considering joining the growing community of backyard chicken owners or are looking to improve as a poultry keeper, there are a few things… Read more »
As a backyard chicken owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure your chickens have a safe and healthy environment to live in. Keeping a clean coop is an essential aspect of this responsibility, as it has a major impact on the health and happiness of your chickens. Regular cleaning and maintenance can prevent pests, reduce the… Read more »
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration. So, who says your backyard chickens can’t get in on the fun? This year, include your feathered friends in on the holiday festivities to enhance the cheerful spirit and create memorable moments. Here are some festive ways to celebrate the holidays with your backyard chickens:… Read more »
With the seasons in transition and the colder weather setting in, you have likely noticed some changes in your backyard chickens’ behavior. These are natural adaptations to the colder temperatures and shorter days. Understanding these behavioral shifts can help you better care for your flock during this time of year. Decreased Egg Production Chickens tend… Read more »
While most chicken breeds can hold their own in the summer heat, there is always the small chance of heat stress. If you live in a climate where the temperatures tend to sore this time of year, it’s important to know that your chickens can be vulnerable to overheating. As a backyard chicken owner, it’s… Read more »
We all want our backyard chickens to live in the best conditions possible. The only way to truly ensure that happens is to be vigilant about maintaining their coops. In fact, it may be your most important responsibility as an owner. When you properly maintain your chicken’s coop, you are ensuring your feathered friends are… Read more »
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, and as a backyard chicken keeper, it’s natural to want to extend this festive spirit to your feathered friends. Decorating your chicken coop can be a delightful way to bring some holiday cheer to your backyard. However, it’s crucial to do this safely to ensure… Read more »
There are a great many tasks you’re responsible for when you choose to invest in backyard chickens. One that is often overlooked is keeping them safe from predators. Even in suburban settings, there are predators that can bring harm to your beloved backyard poultry. With that in mind, it’s important to walk through some simple,… Read more »
As the warmth of summer gradually transitions to the crisp breeze of autumn and eventually the chill of winter, budding poultry enthusiasts might be wondering how to ensure your backyard flock stays cozy, safe, healthy, and comfortable. The good news is it’s totally doable if you’re equipped with the right knowledge. Here are some tips… Read more »
Maybe you’ve pictured it: waking up to the gentle clucking of hens, stepping into your backyard to be greeted by your flock, and the joy of fresh, home-laid eggs. But before you jump into the world of backyard poultry, there are important questions you need to ask yourself. Ensuring that you are fully prepared for… Read more »
When setting up a chicken coop, ventilation often takes a backseat to concerns about predators or the elements. But proper ventilation is just as crucial for your flock’s health and well-being. Let’s explore why it’s so essential and how to ensure your coop has adequate airflow. Understanding the Importance of Ventilation Ventilation is vital for… Read more »
Ever wondered how to give your flock more space to roam while keeping them safe from predators? If so, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re guiding you through the process of building your own chicken run – a must-have for any chicken owner who values the happiness and health of their feathered friends. Why… Read more »
Too often, people think that raising chickens is something you can only do out in the country. However, you can get the rewards of raising backyard chickens in urban and suburban environments, as well. But don’t think you can use the same techniques in a rural environment as you can in a city or suburb…. Read more »
You’ve had your backyard chicken flock for a few years. The coop you built in the beginning is still working fine, but you’re starting to wonder if a second coop would do your chickens any good. We’re here to tell you that it will. While not all flocks need a second coop, and it can… Read more »
When raising chickens, it’s important to provide them with appropriate shelter. A chicken coop will do just that, protecting your chickens from predators and the elements, and allowing them to get the rest they need. If a chicken coop is home to your chicken flock, you should make every effort to keep it as clean… Read more »
When winter comes along, our world becomes much colder and darker. We humans like to stay inside our nicely lit homes, and our chickens are no different. They’ll need their coops to be warm and safe if they’re to survive the winter. But what about your coop’s lighting? Many chicken owners use supplemental lighting to… Read more »
When starting a backyard flock, many people decide to build their own chicken coops. However, not everyone has the time, tools, or skills to do so. Buying a readymade chicken coop is a perfectly acceptable alternative. However, since you’ll be relying on someone else to build it, you’ll need to ensure that it has everything… Read more »
No matter where you live, predators will always be a problem for your flock. It can be heartbreaking to find that a fox or hawk has killed one of your chickens. As such, it’s always best to be prepared and take steps to protect your flock from predator attacks. While each predator is different, many… Read more »
When you decide to raise backyard chickens, you’re not the only one who is impacted by that decision. Your neighbors will also be impacted. This is especially the case if you live in a city or suburb where you live right next to each other. So, before you start building your coop and gathering supplies,… Read more »
Automatic chicken coop doors are essential components to your chicken coop. They can keep your chickens secure while also providing them easy access to the outdoors. Plus, it saves you time and energy so you don’t have to go outside to let your chickens out every morning. However, many chicken owners have questions about how… Read more »
Feather pecking is a common behavior amongst birds, especially backyard chickens. However, it’s not necessarily a healthy behavior. Feather pecking mostly occurs when chickens are bored or stressed, and it can cause harm on their overall health. Here, we discuss everything you need to know about feather pecking so you can avoid it in the… Read more »
We love our chickens, but sometimes, things can get a little stinky. Chicken coops can get smelly, which can be upsetting to both you and your chickens. Thankfully, there are ways for you to reduce coop odors. Read on to learn more: What causes coop odors? Before we get into how to fix a stinky… Read more »
Earlier in the year, we discussed how best to take care of your chickens during the cold, winter months. But now that the temperatures are rising, we must turn our attention to the coming summer months. Summer, just like winter, brings its own host of challenges when caring for your backyard flock. As such, preparing… Read more »
We all want our chickens to have the chance to roam, but we also know the dangers of letting them roam too far. A solution that many backyard chicken raisers have turned to is chicken tractors. These nifty contraptions allow your chickens to stretch their legs without them wandering off and into danger. Learn more… Read more »
We at Chickens for Backyards think that everyone should experience the joys of raising backyard chickens. But we also understand that many people have concerns about taking the leap into the world of chickens. While many of these concerns are legitimate, just as many are based on myths and misconceptions. That’s why we’re taking the… Read more »
As our chickens age, they slow down and gradually stop producing eggs. But that doesn’t mean we don’t still love them. We want to take good care of them but caring for aging chickens is much different than caring for younger ones. After all, senior chickens face more health challenges, ailments, and they require different… Read more »
From chicken roosts to bedding, there are many things to consider when we’re building our chicken coops. However, none of these things will be much use without a good foundation—namely the flooring. Not all chicken coops need flooring—indeed, those that use the deep litter method or have well-draining soil can go without it—but most do… Read more »
Wintertime can bring a whole host of challenges, especially if you’re a chicken owner. While some chickens are built to withstand the cold, all chickens will still need some protection. As such, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep your chickens happy and healthy throughout the tough winter season. Below is our chicken winter… Read more »
We all love that feeling of sinking into a comfy bed after a long day. Our chickens are no different. They want a safe and comfy place to sleep as much as we do. In order to make that space, we first need to create bedding out of the best materials. Here we discuss some… Read more »
The chickens have come home to roost…literally. Chicken roosts, or roosting perches, are a familiar concept to veteran poultry keepers, but not so much for novices. There are a lot of questions soon-to-be chicken owners will have regarding roosts: what are they? How do you build them? Do you need them? Here we seek to… Read more »
The whole point of backyard chickens is raising them in your backyard. It’s why this method of raising chickens is so appealing, from the city dweller to the country folk. However, chickens are curious by nature, and you may find some slipping away and wandering into your neighbor’s backyard. If you want to prevent your… Read more »
A few weeks ago, we discussed the different types of chicken feeders you can get for your flock. Now we’re moving on to chicken waterers. After all, chickens need more than feed to be happy—they also need water. Chicken waterers are an essential part in doing so. In this article, we discuss everything you need… Read more »
Chickens are not picky eaters. You could dump feed on the ground or store it in a special automatic chicken feeder, and still, they would eat it. Even so, while our chickens may not be fussy, we need to be fussy for them. Properly storing your chickens’ feed can keep coops clean and prevent rats from getting… Read more »
You’re settling down into bed, ready to close your eyes for sleep. Then, a thought runs through your head: Did you close the chicken coop door? Panicked, you jump out of bed, run out into the darkness, do a headcount, and then quickly shut the coop door closed. You return to bed, relieved but exhausted…. Read more »
Perhaps one of the most burdensome chores as an owner of backyard chickens is carrying water to the coop. After all, lugging water around is never easy, and the coops are often a good distance away from any water source. A great solution to this problem, though, is a rain barrel system. This is where… Read more »
There will come a day when your chicks are ready to leave the nest…or rather, the brooder. Moving your chicks from the brooder to the coop is a significant change, and it’s one that will come with some serious adjustments for you, your chicks, and the rest of your flock. It’s best to make this… Read more »
Raising backyard chickens can be a thrilling and rewarding experience; it can also be a daunting experience. This is especially the case for beginners who may be attracted to the idea of raising backyard chickens but may not know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help all beginners get… Read more »
If you’re a chicken owner, you’ve likely had to spend at least a few nights tracking down each of your chickens before you go to bed. This is hardly how you want to spend your evening, which is why many chicken owners opt for training their chickens to return to the coop on their own…. Read more »
If you’re new to raising backyard chickens, you’re bound to make some mistakes. However, as the temperature turns colder, those mistakes can become dangerous for your flock. We’ve talked about what you should do when caring for your chickens in the wintertime, but there are also some things that you shouldn’t do in order to… Read more »
If you walk into your local grocery store, you’ll notice that most eggs have white-colored shells. However, did you know that there are multiple variations of egg colors? In fact, colored eggs are commonly found in backyard coops. Before you start your collection, there is some vital information to understand: The Science Behind the Color… Read more »
Whether you live in the city or in the country, your chicken coop can become a magnet for rats and mice. If you don’t take care of the problem, then your chickens could fall prey to diseases and rats could become predatory, killing adult and young chicks for food. In order to prevent this, take… Read more »
Whether you live in the city or in the country, if you’re planning on raising backyard chickens you first need to make sure you have the adequate space for them. While chickens don’t need an entire field to roam in, they do need some space in order to leave healthy and happy lives. In that… Read more »
There are several predators that will attack, and likely kill, the chickens in your backyard if you’re don’t take appropriate steps to protect them. We have already highlighted a variety of chicken predators on our blog but you can now add raccoons to that list. Raccoons are yet another predator that you need to look… Read more »
Hens sometimes go through phases where they will “refuse” to lay eggs for a period of time. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re raising chickens for the sole purpose of having fresh eggs at home. There are several different reasons that hens might suddenly stop laying eggs and Chickens for Backyards has some… Read more »
If you’re starting to raise chickens, then your chickens will need some place to live. A chicken coop is an essential part of raising backyard chickens, providing your flock with a safe and comfy place to lay their heads. It is also an excellent way to get a healthy inventory of eggs that you couldn’t… Read more »
