Hello, chicken keeper
Happy hens start with a little planning
Choose breeds, size the coop, plan the feed and count down to the first egg. Free, calm planners built from university extension numbers.
- 38 breeds
- 95 foods checked
- 7 free planners
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See all 38Can chickens eat…?
Type any food from the kitchen or garden. Each answer links to the sources it came from.
- In moderationGrapesYes — grapes are fine as an occasional treat for adult chickens; halve or chop them so they aren't swallowed whole.
- In moderationTomatoesRipe tomatoes are fine in moderation; keep chickens away from green (unripe) tomatoes and tomato leaves, stems and vines.
- In moderationBananasYes — banana flesh is a safe treat in moderation.
- In moderationPineappleYes, in small amounts — pineapple flesh is a safe treat, but it's acidic and sugary, so go easy.
- In moderationOranges and CitrusOccasionally — citrus isn't toxic to chickens, but it's acidic and many hens won't eat it; sources disagree on how much is OK.
- In moderationCeleryYes — celery stalks and leaves are safe; chop the stalks crosswise into small pieces so the strings don't cause crop trouble.
A coop that keeps everyone safe at night
Roost bars for every bird, nest boxes they will actually use, air without drafts, and walls a raccoon can't open. The coop planner sizes it all for your flock.
Questions new keepers ask
When do chickens start laying eggs?
Most pullets lay their first egg at about 20 weeks old: hybrids a little sooner, heritage breeds a little later. Find your first-egg date.
How many eggs does a chicken lay?
At most one a day. High-production hybrids average 5–6 eggs a week and heritage breeds 2–4, with fewer in winter and during the fall molt. Size your flock.
How much space do chickens need?
About 3–4 sq ft of coop floor and 10 sq ft of outdoor run per standard-size hen. Plan your coop.
How much do chickens eat?
A laying hen eats about 0.25–0.33 lb of complete layer feed a day; treats should stay a small part of the diet. Budget your feed.
Do hens need a rooster to lay eggs?
No. Hens lay with or without a rooster; you only need one for fertile eggs to hatch. Many towns that allow hens do not allow roosters, so check local rules first.
How long do chicken eggs take to hatch?
21 days in an incubator or under a broody hen. Make a hatch calendar.