Keeping Backyard Chickens
A few hens give you eggs, pest control, manure for compost, and endless entertainment.
Which breed suits your backyard?
Climate is the biggest factor across the US. Pick your region and what matters most, and we'll rank the breeds that fit.
Do chickens pay for themselves?
With egg prices where they are, a small flock often covers its own feed. Put in your numbers and see.
Choosing breeds
In the warm South and Southwest, favor heat-tolerant breeds with large combs that shed heat: Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Easter Eggers and the like. Avoid heavily feathered or tiny-comb breeds in extreme heat.
The coop
- Allow about 4 sq ft per bird inside and 8-10 sq ft in the run.
- Prioritize shade and ventilation over insulation in hot climates; airflow keeps birds alive in summer.
- Predator-proof with hardware cloth (not chicken wire) and a secure latch.
- One nest box per 3-4 hens, plus a roost bar.
Feeding & care
Layer feed plus grit and a calcium source (oyster shell). Kitchen and garden scraps are great extras, see what chickens can and can't eat. Always provide cool, clean water, doubly important in heat.
Their bedding and manure are a prime compost ingredient, closing the loop back to the garden.
The full chicken guides
- How many hens do you need The egg arithmetic, the flock minimum, space per bird, and finding your city limit
- Choosing a breed Compare laying, dual purpose and bantam breeds, with a picker that matches a breed to your goal
- Coop design and plans Sizes, ventilation, predator proofing and the space each bird actually needs
- Feed and nutrition Feed types by age, what the protein numbers mean, and what a flock costs to feed
- Keeping the flock well Mites, worms, respiratory trouble, and knowing when a bird needs a vet
More from the poultry guides
- Keeping quail Raise coturnix (Japanese) quail in a small space: housing, ground space per bird, game-bird feed, eggs and meat, sexing and noise, biosecurity