🐓 Backyard & Farm

Backyard Chicken

Fresh eggs and surprisingly big personalities.

Chickens are social flock animals that do best in groups of three or more. They need a secure coop, daily care and protection from predators. Check local ordinances first.

Lifespan5–10 years
SizeMedium · 4–8 lb
Care levelEasy
Typical cost$20–40 / month
Great for
FamiliesGardenersSuburban yardsSocialCuriousChatty
Backyard Chicken

Photo: Andrei Niemimäki from Turku, Finland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Care guide

Daily care

A predator-proof coop (4 sq ft per bird) plus a run (10 sq ft per bird) with roosts and nest boxes.

Layer feed, oyster shell for calcium, grit and kitchen scraps in moderation.

Daily foraging time in a secure run or yard.

Dust bathing area; check for mites.

Health

Common health concerns

Know what to watch for. Early detection makes most of these far easier and cheaper to treat.

  • Mites and lice
  • Egg binding
  • Bumblefoot
  • Respiratory infections
  • Marek’s disease
Veterinary care

Vet visits

Find a poultry or farm-animal vet; vaccinate chicks for Marek’s.

Find a vet near me

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This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Costs are rough U.S. estimates for food, supplies and routine care. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet’s needs.