Backyard chicken keeping reference charts

Chicken Keeping Reference Charts

Accurate, at-a-glance reference charts for backyard chicken keepers: breed comparison, egg laying by breed, feed by age, brooder temperature, safe foods, and egg colors.

Chicken Breed Comparison Chart

Compare 16 popular breeds by eggs per year, egg color, size, temperament, and cold hardiness in one chart.

Read guide →

Egg Laying by Breed Chart

Eggs per year, eggs per week, age at first egg, broodiness, and winter laying for popular backyard breeds.

Read guide →

Chicken Feed by Age Chart

Starter, grower, and layer feed by week, with protein and calcium levels and when to switch each feed.

Read guide →

Brooder Temperature Chart

Week-by-week brooder temperatures for chicks, from 95F in week 1 down to room temperature by week 6.

Read guide →

What Chickens Can and Cannot Eat

A food chart of safe treats versus toxic foods like avocado, raw beans, and green potato for your flock.

Read guide →

Egg Color Chart by Breed

Which breeds lay white, brown, dark chocolate, blue, green, and cream eggs, and what sets shell color.

Read guide →

Chicken Vital Signs Chart

Normal chicken body temperature (105 to 107F), heart rate (220 to 360 bpm), and breathing rate, plus how to spot trouble.

Read guide →

Common Chicken Diseases Chart

Coccidiosis, Marek's, respiratory illness, bumblefoot, and parasites, with key signs, causes, and prevention at a glance.

Read guide →

Coop Size Requirements Chart

How much coop and run space chickens need (4 sq ft inside, 8 to 10 in the run), with nesting boxes and roosts by flock size.

Read guide →

Chicken Lifespan and Laying Years

How long chickens live (5 to 10 years) and how many years they lay, with peak production in years 1 to 2 by breed type.

Read guide →

Egg Production by Age Chart

First eggs at 18 to 22 weeks, peak laying in years 1 to 2, then a 10 to 20 percent yearly decline, plus what affects output.

Read guide →

Chicken Vaccination and Health Schedule

Marek's at day 1, coccidiosis prevention, deworming, parasite checks, and a daily to seasonal flock care routine.

Read guide →

Safe Treats for Chickens Chart

Which common treats are safe, which to limit, and which to never feed, with benefits and amounts. Keep treats under 10 percent of the diet.

Read guide →

Point of Lay Age by Breed

When popular breeds start laying, from 16 weeks for light layers to 28 for heavy breeds, with most hens beginning at 18 to 22 weeks.

Read guide →

Egg Size and Weight Chart

Peewee to Jumbo egg weights per dozen and per egg, plus how small pullet eggs grow into full-size mature hen eggs.

Read guide →

Chicken Sounds and What They Mean

Decode the egg song, alarm calls, broody growl, contentment clucks, food call, and crowing so you can read your flock.

Read guide →

How Much Space Do Chickens Need

Coop and run square feet, roost inches, and nesting boxes per bird by flock size, from 2 to 12 chickens.

Read guide →

Backyard Chicken Keepers Planner

Track your chicken's health, meds, vet visits, mobility, nutrition, and quality of life, all in one printable planner.

Backyard Chicken Keepers Planner

10 printable worksheets to track your flock's health, eggs, feed, and coop care.

Get the Planner for $39