Poultry: Backyard Chickens, Ducks and More

Everything for a happy backyard flock, from the rules and choosing your first hens to coops that keep the fox out, the right feed for every age, and keeping birds well through the seasons. Ducks, geese, quail and guinea fowl are here too.

A small mixed flock of hens and two ducks in a sunny garden beside a wooden coop

A First Flock Shopping List

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The Law: Rules Differ by Country

Even a few pet hens can come with legal duties, mainly so that officials can reach keepers during a bird flu outbreak. Check what applies where you live before the birds arrive.

United Kingdom: In England and Wales you must register with APHA within one month of keeping poultry, whatever the number of birds and even if they are pets (see registering a small flock on gov.uk). Scotland has its own kept-bird register, and Northern Ireland keepers register with DAERA. During outbreaks, bird flu housing orders and prevention zones apply to backyard flocks too.
United States: There is no federal registration for backyard flocks, but city or county zoning often limits numbers, roosters and coop placement, and some states ask for premises registration. Your state department of agriculture or state veterinarian can tell you what applies.
Elsewhere: Ireland requires every poultry keeper, even with one or two birds, to register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Canada (CFIA and your province), Australia (your state or territory agriculture department) and New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries) have their own rules, especially during bird flu outbreaks.

Kitchen scraps: don't feed kitchen scraps to poultry. In the UK and the EU it is illegal, even for pet hens and even for vegetable leftovers, and many other countries restrict it because food waste can spread serious animal diseases.

Rules change, so check with your national authority before you buy.

Getting Started

The rules, choosing birds and the setup, in that order.

Starting a Backyard Flock

Rules first, then coop, run and feed

Choosing Hens

Hybrids, pure breeds, bantams and rescues

Rehoming Ex-Commercial Hens

A retirement for working layers

Poultry and the Law

Registration, bird flu orders and kitchen scraps

Breeds

Breed guides, starting with the fluffiest.

Silkie

Fluffy, gentle and famously broody

Housing and Safety

Coops, runs and keeping predators out.

Predator-Proofing

Mesh, aprons, roofs and nightly lock-up

Coops, Feeders and Waterers

Choosing hardware that's easy to clean

Coop Bedding Compared

Shavings, hemp, straw or sand

Feeding

The right feed for every stage, and why scraps are out.

Chicken Feed by Age

Starter, grower, layer, grit and oyster shell

Health Basics

Prevention, daily checks and when to call the vet.

Flock Health Basics

Daily checks, mites and biosecurity

Introducing New Hens

Quarantine, mesh and the pecking order

Why Hens Stop Laying

Molt, daylight, age and stress

Seasons

Cold nights and frozen water.

Chickens in Winter

Ventilation, water and no heaters

Waterers That Don't Freeze

Heated drinkers and electrical safety

Ducks, Geese and Other Poultry

Waterfowl and game birds have needs of their own.

Pet Ducks

Water, mess and duckling feed

Geese, Quail and Guinea Fowl

Grazers, sprinters and loud alarm birds

Frequently Asked Questions

Keepers new to this section often start with these.

Where should a first-time keeper start?

With the rules and the setup: read starting a backyard flock, then choosing hens. Both point to the deeper guides when you need them.

Do I have to register a few pet hens?

In England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, yes, whatever the number. In the US, check local zoning and your state department of agriculture.

Will any vet treat a chicken?

Not always. Many small-animal practices don't see poultry, so find a vet who does before you need one. Local poultry clubs and keepers can often recommend one.

How many chickens should I keep?

At least three, if local rules allow. Chickens are social birds and a small group copes better than a pair.