This guide walks through exactly what to do when fertile quail or chicken eggs arrive by mail, with a focus on the first critical steps that support hatch success. It covers careful inspection, when cracked eggs can still be set, how and when to repair minor shell cracks with wax, and why resting shipped eggs is essential before incubation begins. The article also explains incubator preparation, humidity monitoring, turning methods to avoid, the lockdown period, and what to do when chicks hatch at different times. It closes with realistic expectations for shipped eggs and the Gone Broody no hatch guarantee, helping customers feel informed, prepared, and confident before they start.

This guide walks through exactly what to do when baby chicks or quail arrive by mail, with a focus on the critical first hours after delivery. It covers brooder setup, heat plate use, bedding differences between chicks and quail, hydration, feeding order, and how to read bird behavior instead of relying only on temperature. The article also explains what’s normal after shipping, when to worry, and how to keep the first week simple so young birds can recover and thrive.

Ordering a chicken coop is exciting — until you realize your yard has to be ready for delivery. This guide walks you through exactly how to prep your yard the right way, from choosing the best location to handling drainage, leveling the ground, and selecting the right foundation. With practical tips and real-world guidance, you’ll feel confident knowing your coop — and your chickens — are set up for success from day one.

Delivery day doesn’t have to feel intimidating. This guide explains how Gone Broody coops are delivered by specialized shed-hauling trucks, how carrier communication works, what to expect with weather delays, and how to prep your yard for smooth placement—so you can feel calm and ready when your coop arrives.

Buying a chicken coop is more than picking a style or price point. This guide walks serious buyers through the non-negotiables that actually matter — from proper ventilation and roofing to flooring, clean-out systems, and room to expand. Learn what separates a coop that lasts for years from one that gets replaced too soon, so you can choose confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

Buying a chicken coop seems simple — until the first one doesn’t hold up. This guide walks through the real differences between cheap coop kits, DIY builds, and solid pre-built coops, including what usually fails, what takes more time than expected, and why many owners end up replacing their first coop. If you’re testing chickens short-term, a basic option can work. But if chickens are part of your life long-term, this post helps you understand what actually lasts — and why buying twice often costs more.

Choosing the right chicken coop size is one of the biggest decisions new chicken owners make — and one of the most common regrets. This guide breaks down how many chickens really fit in a coop, why roosting space and ventilation matter, and how pecking order and “chicken math” can quietly lead to overcrowding. If you’re torn between coop sizes, this article helps you understand why bigger usually means healthier birds, easier care, and fewer headaches later.

Thinking about backyard chickens but not sure where to start? This guide breaks down what you actually need to raise chickens without the overwhelm. From how many chickens to begin with, to whether you need a run, to what daily care really looks like, this post walks through the basics in a calm, honest way. It’s designed to help you decide if chickens fit your life—and to feel confident taking the next step if they do.

Thinking about getting chickens but not sure if they truly fit your life? This guide walks through the real reasons families want chickens — from fresh eggs and calmer kids to daily routines that replace screen time. It also shares the honest pros and cons most people don’t talk about, including the time commitment, care needs, and why the coop setup matters more than the chickens themselves. With clear expectations and the right planning, chickens can feel simple, joyful, and rewarding. Without it, even small problems can turn into stress. This article helps you decide if chickens match your lifestyle before the first bird arrives.

After 30 days of winter use, chicken keepers learned the truth about coop cleaning. Deep Litter keeps the air cleaner and drier, which helps control ammonia smell and humidity. This makes it the best choice for chicken health in winter when bedding is stirred and topped up. Litter trays can still work, but frozen poop can stick and smells can spike if the litter gets wet. The best tray litter for winter is construction sand in a thin, shallow layer, because it stays less dusty, drains moisture fast, and lets you scrape poop off the top easier. Play sand and straw are not great for trays in winter because dust and moisture can make smells worse and cleaning harder. The key to winter success is keeping litter dry, using airflow vents, and scraping trays often.

Winter can be hard on chickens, especially when it’s wet, windy, and freezing cold. Frostbite usually hurts the comb, wattles, and toes, and it changes the color of their skin from pale to gray to black if it gets worse. In this blog, you learned what frostbite looks like, what chicken body parts look like normally, how to treat frostbite gently, and when the weather becomes too dangerous for your flock. You also got easy tips to prevent frostbite so your chickens can stay safe, warm, healthy, and happy all winter long.

Taking care of chickens in winter isn’t about making the coop warm like a house. It’s about keeping the air dry, fresh, and safe to breathe. Chickens add moisture and dust to the coop when they breathe, poop, and move around. If the coop is closed too tight, the air gets heavy, damp, and stinky with ammonia. When the air is bad for humans, it’s even worse for chickens and can make them cough, sneeze, or feel sick. The best way to help is to let air leave high above the chickens, while blocking strong wind at their level. A healthy winter coop is usually 20°F to 40°F inside, with vents placed 18–24 inches above the roost bar. Upgrades like epoxy floors, deep bedding, and litter trays can make winter cleaning much easier. When airflow is balanced, your chickens stay healthier, the coop smells better, and winter feels less stressful for the whole flock.

Winter makes it hard to keep chicken water from freezing, but using the right tools makes a huge difference. Heated waterers, de-icers, heated bowls, and rubber pans offer the strongest protection, while insulation tricks and warm-water rotation help in milder weather. Safe additives like ACV and beet juice support health but won’t stop freezing, and daily water checks are still essential. With the right setup, your flock will stay hydrated and healthy all season long.

Winter can be tough on backyard chickens, but with the right setup, your flock can stay warm and healthy all season long. In this guide, we explain how chickens naturally keep themselves warm, what temperatures become dangerous, and why windchill and moisture matter more than the number on the thermometer. You’ll learn about safe heating options, whether you should insulate your coop, how the Deep Litter Method adds natural warmth, and why ventilation is the key to preventing frostbite. It’s an easy, practical winter care overview—perfect for any chicken keeper looking to protect their birds in cold weather.

Winter Snow & Your Chicken Coop: What You Need to Know
Snow can get surprisingly heavy, and the wrong chicken coop roof may not stand up to winter storms. Our guide explains which roof styles handle snow the best, how to tell if your coop is strong enough, and safe ways to remove snow without damaging the roof. We also cover why sturdy, northern-built coops—like those from Hen House Collection and Driftless Outdoors—are some of the safest choices for snowy climates. Keep your flock protected all winter long with simple tips that make a big difference.

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Your Guide for Raising Chickens for the First Time We help families and homesteaders raise happy hens without the stress. Follow this simple guide packed with tried-and-true tips we hear every week from experienced chicken keepers. 1) Start Smart: Check...