Basics 101 · PDF
Backyard Farming Raising Chickens From Building Coops to Collecting Eggs (PDF, opens in a new tab)
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A closer look · 26 photo references
Visual Quick Reference
Real, labeled photos for anatomy, unusual eggs, molting, parasites, predator clues and chick development.
Basics 101
From choosing your first birds to preparing a brooder and learning the basics.
Basics 101 · Free PDF
Choose the Right Chicken Breed (PDF at Mississippi State Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Mississippi State Extension
Compare common chicken breeds by temperament, climate tolerance, size, and egg production to choose birds that fit your backyard flock's goals.
4 pages · 2026 · Save or print
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Basics 101 · Free PDF
Plan Your First Backyard Flock (PDF at Mississippi State Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Mississippi State Extension
Plan your first flock with an overview of daily commitment, housing, feed, chick care, egg production, predator protection, and basic disease prevention.
8 pages · 2025 · Save or print
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Coops
Plan a comfortable, secure home with housing guides, predator prevention, and original coop plans. Before building, check official local keeping rules.
Coops · Free PDF
Small-Scale Poultry Housing (PDF at Virginia Cooperative Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Plan a practical coop with advice on ventilation, roosts, nest boxes, flock space and protection from weather, injuries and common predators.
6 pages · 2023 · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
Identify and Prevent Poultry Predators (PDF at Maryland Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Maryland Extension
Learn to recognize common poultry predators, interpret signs of attacks and strengthen coops and runs with practical measures that help protect birds.
4 pages · 2020 · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
Clean and Disinfect Your Coop (PDF at USDA APHIS, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
USDA APHIS
Follow a practical cleaning sequence for empty poultry enclosures, including debris removal, washing, rinsing, label-directed disinfection and drying before birds return safely.
2 pages · 2018 · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
5 × 12 Modern Coop & Covered Run (PDF at Rogue Engineer · Simpson Strong-Tie, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Rogue Engineer · Simpson Strong-Tie
A 5 × 12-foot overall footprint combines an elevated coop and covered run. Includes dimensioned assembly drawings, nesting boxes, and a materials list. The designer rates this build advanced.
10 pages · 2017 · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
4 × 6 Raised Coop — Free Edition (PDF at Easy Coops, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Easy Coops
Compact raised-coop plans with dimensioned assembly drawings, a nesting box, litter tray, and ramp. This free edition includes a materials overview; fuller shopping and cut lists are in an optional paid edition.
21 pages · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
5 × 6 Raised Coop — Free Edition (PDF at Easy Coops, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Easy Coops
A raised coop with a single-slope roof, windows, access door, and ladder. Includes dimensioned drawings, assembly steps, and a shopping list. The publisher also offers an optional expanded paid edition.
19 pages · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
10 × 4 A-Frame Pasture Ark (PDF at UW–Madison Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
UW–Madison Extension
A moveable A-frame ark with a 4 × 4-foot shelter and 6 × 4-foot run. Includes a materials list, construction blueprint, and photos. Designed for daily pasture moves; review mesh and predator protection for your location.
4 pages · 2010 · Save or print
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Coops · Free PDF
Build a Mobile Hoop Pen (PDF at Kentucky Cooperative Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Build a walk-in pasture pen from cattle panels, lumber, wire, and a tarp. Includes ten illustrated assembly steps, materials, and management tips. This is mobile pasture housing; printed prices are from 2012.
8 pages · 2012 · Save or print
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Daily care
Feeding, eggs, and everyday care for your feathered supervisors.
Daily care · Free PDF
Get Ready for Healthy Chicks (PDF at UMaine Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
UMaine Extension
Get ready for new chicks with a practical checklist covering brooder warmth, safe heat sources, clean bedding, starter feed, water, and hygiene.
3 pages · 2020 · Save or print
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Daily care · Free PDF
Brooding: Setup & Troubleshooting (PDF at Alabama Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Alabama Extension
Prepare a brooder, check chick comfort, and troubleshoot common feeding, watering, temperature, and bedding problems during the important first weeks after hatching.
4 pages · 2022 · Save or print
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Daily care · Free PDF
Feed Your Flock Well (PDF at Alabama Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Alabama Extension
Choose feed for each life stage, understand calcium and grit, and improve feeder placement and storage to support a well-nourished backyard flock.
8 pages · 2022 · Save or print
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Daily care · Free PDF
Handle Fresh Eggs Safely (PDF at Pacific Northwest Extension, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
Pacific Northwest Extension
Learn safe egg collection, cleaning, refrigeration, and cooking, with practical explanations of egg quality and guidance for handling eggs from your flock.
8 pages · 2022 · Save or print
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Chicken Health
Disease prevention, signs to watch for, and household hygiene. Older PDFs are reference material; ask a poultry veterinarian about current care. Find a North Carolina poultry vet or diagnostic lab.
Chicken Health · Free PDF
Year-Round Biosecurity Workbook (PDF at USDA APHIS, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
USDA APHIS
Create a flock biosecurity plan using seasonal checklists, cleaning logs and everyday routines for new birds, safe water, equipment and illness reporting.
19 pages · Save or print
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Chicken Health · Free PDF
Keep Tools and Transport Biosecure (PDF at USDA APHIS, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
USDA APHIS
Reduce the chance of carrying disease between flocks with a checklist for cleaning shared tools, poultry supplies, transport equipment and vehicles before use.
2 pages · 2018 · Save or print
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Chicken Health · Free PDF
Keep Your Family Safe Around Flocks (PDF at CDC, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
CDC
Protect your family around backyard poultry with a printable reminder covering handwashing, children, outdoor equipment cleaning, safe egg collection and proper food handling.
1 page · Save or print
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Chicken Health · Free PDF
Bird Flu: Know the Signs (PDF at USDA APHIS, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
USDA APHIS
Keep this printable visual reference nearby to recognize important bird-flu warning signs and find the official contacts for promptly reporting sick poultry.
1 page · 2026 · Save or print
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Chicken Health · Free PDF
Avian Influenza: Signs and Prevention (PDF at USDA APHIS, opens in a new tab; save from the PDF viewer)
USDA APHIS
Review common bird-flu warning signs, essential prevention habits and reporting contacts in a concise printable factsheet from the USDA's Defend the Flock program.
1 page · 2026 · Save or print
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