Find the Right Chickens for Your Yard
Breed profiles, care guides and simple tools for backyard keepers, from your first box of chicks to a full flock. Bantams included, because not every yard has room for a Brahma.
Your First Flock in Four Steps
Check Local Rules
Many towns limit flock size or ban roosters. Here's what to look up before you buy.
Chickens in city limits ›Choose Your Breeds
Pick birds that suit your climate, your space and the eggs you want.
Best breeds for beginners ›Size Your Coop
Enter your flock and get floor, run and roost space for standard or bantam birds.
Coop size calculator ›Raise Your Chicks
Brooder setup, heat, feed and the day they move outside.
Meet the Bantams
Bantams are miniature chickens, usually about a quarter the size of standard breeds. Some are true bantams with no large version; others are scaled-down Cochins, Wyandottes and Orpingtons.
Popular Backyard Breeds
Every profile covers eggs, temperament, hardiness, care needs and whether a bantam version exists.
Can Chickens Eat It?
Kitchen scraps, garden extras and the foods to keep out of the run. Every answer starts with a straight yes or no.
Latest Articles
Polish Chicken: Breed Profile, Eggs, Temperament and Care
Sussex Chicken: Breed Profile, Eggs, Temperament and Care
Lavender Orpington: Breed Profile, Eggs, Temperament and Care
Chickens That Lay Colored Eggs: Blue, Green, Olive and Chocolate
Best Egg Laying Chickens: 15 Breeds Ranked by Eggs per Year
Best Chicken Breeds for Beginners
Bantam vs Standard Chickens: Size, Eggs, Space and Care
Bantam Chickens: A Complete Guide to Small Breeds
Plan Your Flock in Minutes
Breed Finder
Filter breeds by eggs, size, climate and temperament.
Find a breed ›Coop Size Calculator
Floor, run and roost space for standard or bantam birds.
Size a coop ›Egg Production Calculator
See how many eggs a week your flock should lay.
Count eggs ›Feed Calculator
Estimate feed per week and month for your flock size.
Plan feed ›