Chicken Keeping Essentials

Most folks start with a coop, feeder, waterer, age-appropriate feed, bedding, and a few care basics. If you are raising chicks, add brooder gear like a heat source and thermometer before they arrive.

Baby chicks need chick starter feed made for their growth stage. As they grow, you can move them into the next feed stage based on their age and whether they are being raised for laying.

Pick a coop based on how many birds you plan to keep, not just how many you have today. Make sure your flock has enough room to roost, nest, and move around, and consider adding a run if they need more outdoor space.

Chick feeders are made for smaller birds and help them reach feed more easily in the brooder. Standard chicken feeders are better once birds are older and need larger-capacity feeding for the coop or run.

This page is the broad starting point for the whole campaign. If you want to narrow it down, visit our Backyard Chicken Runs page for outdoor space, Automatic Chicken Feeder for low-mess feeding, Baby Chick Waterers for young birds, Chicken Electrolytes for hydration support, or Automatic Chicken Doors for easier coop access.