Your first flock · One step at a time

Big chicken plans.
A place to start.

From “Should I get chickens?” to “They’re running the place.” Find the tools, guides, and next steps for your first flock.

Where are you starting?

I’m still planning My birds are arriving My flock is home

A little preparation. A lot of personality.

Start your flock

Chicken Keepers · chickenkeepers.com/start-your-flock.html · Starting with chicks

Your path to the coop.

Follow the steps, or jump to what you need.

Which birds are you starting with?

ChicksPullets / adult birds

Step 1 · Before you buy

Make room for the flock.

A little planning before the peeping. Start with your space, your budget, and the kind of flock you want.

Your preparation checksCheck local chicken rules, any property restrictions, and whether roosters are allowed.Choose your goals: eggs, pets, showing, or a mix. Decide who will handle daily care.Measure the space available for a coop and run before settling on flock size.Budget for birds, housing, equipment, feed, bedding, and ongoing care.

Tick what you’ve prepared. Come back to the rest whenever you’re ready.

A useful question before you shop

Who will care for your flock when you’re away? Preview the customizable sitter sheet and make a backup-care plan before the birds arrive.

Useful for this step

Free PDFPlan Your First Backyard FlockMississippi State Extension · 8 pages · Opens a PDF to save or print.

Free toolCheck your coop spaceTry a flock size against your coop and run measurements.

Free toolDo the chicken mathExplore egg costs, including the fancy coop.

Step 2 · Prepare the coop

Home first. Chickens second.

Give the flock a ready place to land. Use the plans and checklists to turn “almost finished” into an arrival plan.

Your preparation checksChoose a coop and run layout that fits your flock, space, and weather.Review doors, latches, fencing, openings, and predator protection.Prepare bedding, appropriate feed, feeders, waterers, and secure feed storage.Set up the brooder and review the chick supply checklist before arrival.Prepare suitable housing and a separate arrival space if you already have birds.

Tick what you’ve prepared. Come back to the rest whenever you’re ready.

What changes with the birds you bring home?

For chicks, use the Chick-to-Coop supply checklist and brooding PDFs to prepare their first home.

For pullets or adults, start with the housing guides. If adding to an existing flock, read the biosecurity workbook (PDF, new tab) before planning introductions.

Useful for this step

Free toolPlan your coop spaceCheck the dimensions before you commit to a layout.

PDF libraryBrowse free coop plansCompare the existing blueprint PDFs and housing guides.

Free PDFIdentify and Prevent Poultry PredatorsMaryland Extension · 4 pages · Opens a PDF to save or print.

Step 3 · Choose birds

Find your feathered fit.

Start with the birds that suit your life. Then find a breeder and ask a few good questions before arranging pickup.

Your preparation checksMake a breed shortlist based on your goals, climate, space, and temperament preferences.Decide whether chicks, started pullets, or adults suit your setup and schedule.Ask the seller about age, sexing, health history, availability, and pickup arrangements.Confirm what you’re buying and prepare suitable transport before pickup.

Tick what you’ve prepared. Come back to the rest whenever you’re ready.

Prefer a printable breed reference?

Choose the Right Chicken Breed — free PDF from Mississippi State Extension. Open it in a new tab and save or print a copy.

Useful for this step

Free toolTake Breed MatchTurn your space, weather, and wish list into a shortlist.

Breed referenceCompare the breedsBrowse researched profiles, favorites, and comparisons.

DirectoryFind a breederExplore nearby farms, town locations, and contact details.

Step 4 · First weeks

Welcome home, little flock.

Take the next few weeks one step at a time. The resources below adapt to chicks or older birds.

Your preparation checksEnter your chicks’ date and age in the Chick-to-Coop Planner.Review the supply checklist and the brooding guide for your setup.Confirm the birds’ age and care history, and review your arrival setup.Read the biosecurity workbook before mixing new birds with an existing flock.Set a repeatable daily care routine and note anything you want to follow up on.Review housing and next steps as your birds settle in and their needs change.

Tick what you’ve prepared. Come back to the rest whenever you’re ready.

Keep useful notes from the start

Record arrival dates, feed details, and questions in the Coop Clipboard Collection. When you need another perspective, Ask the Flock and include a photo and the details you know.

Useful for this step

Free toolBuild your chick timelineGet dated care reminders and a coop-readiness review window.

Free PDFGet Ready for Healthy ChicksUMaine Extension · 3 pages · Opens a PDF to save or print.

Free toolUse the daily checklistKeep the everyday coop routine in one place.

Free PDFYear-Round Biosecurity WorkbookUSDA APHIS · 19 pages · Opens a PDF to save or print.

Free toolUse the daily checklistBuild a consistent routine as the birds settle in.

PrintablesKeep flock notesUse the printable flock and care sheets for observations.

Step 5 · Ongoing care

Find your everyday rhythm.

A good routine leaves more time to enjoy the flock. The rooster will still call it his operation.

Your preparation checksChoose a daily checklist and a regular time to review the flock and coop.Review seasonal preparation for the weather ahead.Customize a sitter sheet with your routine and contact details.Choose a printable for the records you want to keep, such as eggs or flock care.

Tick what you’ve prepared. Come back to the rest whenever you’re ready.

Keep these close for the unexpected

Customize your sitter sheet, then print or save a copy.
Open the symptom checker to organize what you’re seeing.
Ask the Flock with a photo and useful background.
Revisit egg costs when your real expenses and egg counts arrive.

Useful for this step

Free toolToday’s coop checklistKeep track of the routine, one check at a time.

Free toolPrepare for the seasonFind weather preparation, supplies, and seasonal checklists.

PrintablesCoop Clipboard CollectionChoose, customize, and print sheets for life at the coop.

Your journey can change as your flock does. Keep the guide library and keeper toolkit close, and Ask the Flock when you want another keeper’s perspective.

Big chicken plans.A place to start.

Start your flock

Your path to the coop.

Make room for the flock.

Useful for this step

Home first. Chickens second.

Useful for this step

Find your feathered fit.

Useful for this step

Welcome home, little flock.

Useful for this step

Starting with chicks

Starting with older birds

Find your everyday rhythm.

Useful for this step

Big chicken plans.
A place to start.