Find the Best Coop & Gear for Your Flock
We test, compare, and rank chicken coops, automatic doors, feeders, and waterers so you can buy with confidence — predator-proofing, size, and ease of cleaning, no spec-sheet fluff.
Latest Reviews & Guides
Can Chickens Eat Lettuce? The Wild-Lettuce Lookalike Nobody Mentions (2026)
Grocery-store lettuce is a safe, low-value treat for chickens — but a weedy cousin growing in the same yard, also called 'wild lettuce,' isn't the same plant at all.
Buying GuidesCan Chickens Eat Strawberries? What the Pesticide Data Actually Says (2026)
Strawberries themselves are a clean, non-toxic treat for chickens — the real caution isn't the fruit, it's what's on it. Here's what USDA/EWG residue testing actually found.
Buying GuidesCan Chickens Eat Yogurt? The Lactose Question, Answered (2026)
Chickens lack the enzyme to digest lactose efficiently, and yogurt — unlike aged cheese — never loses most of its lactose. Here's what the actual poultry research says about plain yogurt as a treat.
Buying GuidesCan Chickens Eat Apples? The Seed Question, Answered (2026)
Apple flesh and skin are a safe, popular treat for chickens — but a chicken's gizzard can actually grind seeds a human swallowing one whole never would. Here's the real risk, and why it's still small.
Buying GuidesCan Chickens Eat Potatoes? Cooked Yes, Green and Raw No (2026)
Cooked potato flesh is a fine occasional treat, but raw, green-skinned, or sprouted potatoes carry real solanine risk. Here's the EU regulatory threshold, why sweet potatoes are a different story entirely, and how to feed potatoes safely.
Buying GuidesCan Chickens Eat Chocolate? Why the Answer Is a Hard No (2026)
Chocolate is one of the few foods on this list with no safe amount for chickens. Here's the theobromine and caffeine mechanism, a real documented bird death, and what to do if your flock gets into some.
Why Trust Backyard Coop Lab?
Hands-On Testing
Picks grounded in real coop builds and flock keeping — predator-proofing, cleaning, and weatherproofing — not spec sheets.
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Every guide is written and checked by people who actually raise backyard chickens.
Every Budget
From budget starter coops to walk-in runs and automatic gear — clearly labelled.
Updated for 2026
Prices, picks, and flock-size notes kept current.
Backyard Chicken Questions, Answered
How big should a chicken coop be per hen?
Plan for 3–4 sq ft of coop floor space per standard-size hen plus 8–10 sq ft per bird in the attached run (Penn State Extension). Bantams need slightly less; heavy breeds and confined flocks need more. Overcrowding is the most common cause of feather-picking, disease, and dirty eggs — and it is why "houses 10 chickens" on a flat-pack listing is almost always arithmetic no hen agrees with.
What is the best chicken coop in 2026?
For most backyard keepers the OverEZ Small Chicken Coop (~$900, up to 5 hens) is the best balance of solid-wood durability, predator resistance, and easy egg access. The Omlet Eglu Cube (~$1,000, up to 10 hens) is the premium plastic pick for cold climates and easiest cleaning, and the PawHut works for 2–4 hens on a budget once you reinforce the latches.
Does chicken wire keep predators out?
No — and this is the single most expensive mistake new keepers make. Chicken wire's 1-inch hexagonal holes let weasels through and let raccoons reach in. Half-inch hardware cloth is the actual predator barrier, and replacing factory chicken wire with it is the most common upgrade keepers make to a store-bought coop.
How much feed does a chicken eat?
About a quarter pound a day — roughly 1.5–2 lb per hen per week, per Oregon State and Penn State Extension figures. A flock of five hens goes through a 50 lb bag roughly every six weeks. Layer feed should be 16% protein and 3–4% calcium, and you switch to it at 18–20 weeks of age or at the first egg, whichever comes first.
When do backyard chickens start laying eggs?
Most pullets lay their first egg at roughly 18–22 weeks of age. Chicks also need about six weeks in a brooder before they can move outside. No amount of shipping speed or gear shortens either clock — a flock runs on its own schedule.
Is Amazon Prime worth it for chicken keepers?
Usually not. Prime costs $139/year and breaks even at roughly 18–23 orders under $35 a year; a flock realistically generates 5–10. Feed is heavy and cheap, so it clears Amazon's $35 free-shipping threshold on its own (and Subscribe & Save ships it free with 5–15% off, no membership), while coops and automatic doors cost 5–34× that threshold. A free 30-day trial timed to October's deal days is the version that pays.