How we check the facts
Every number on this site can be traced to a published source. Here is how we work.
- Last updated
Where numbers come from
- Husbandry numbers (space per bird, roost and nest box counts, feed per day, brooder temperatures, incubation days and humidity) come from university extension services first, then USDA and veterinary references.
- Breed traits (eggs per year, egg colour, weight, hardiness, temperament) come from The Livestock Conservancy, extension services and established hatcheries. Hatcheries often disagree on eggs per year, so we show the full range across sources.
- "Can chickens eat" answers rest on extension and veterinary sources for anything about toxicity; serving tips may also cite experienced keepers and feed companies.
When sources disagree
We show the range, name each source, and say so on the page. We never average two sources into a number neither of them gave.
Planners
- Every planner shows the rule it used ("4 sq ft per standard bird indoors") next to the answer, with its source.
- The arithmetic runs in your browser and is covered by automated tests.
- Results are estimates for healthy birds. Climate, breed, age and season change real flocks.
The drawings
Breed portraits are drawn from simple shapes to show each breed's usual colouring, comb and feathering. They are friendly illustrations, not show standards.
Corrections
Spotted something that looks off? Write to hello@yolkday.com or use the contact form with the page and the number. We fix confirmed mistakes and update the page's review date.
Sources (243)
- The effect of different levels of acorn seeds on laying hens performance in first phase of egg production (Saffarzadeh, Vincze & Csapo, 1999), Acta Agraria Kaposvariensis 3(2):369-377
- Nutrition for Backyard Chicken Flocks (ANR-1317), Ken Macklin & Joe Hess, 2022, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University)
- Backyard & Small Poultry Flock Management Series: Feeding the Laying Hen (ANR-2913), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Pacheco, Gulizia, Downs; Aug 2022)
- Accepted Breeds & Varieties, American Poultry Association
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Rhubarb, ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Tomato Plant, ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Serama Chickens: Good Things in Small Packages, Backyard Poultry Magazine
- Mastering Incubator Humidity: Why Egg Weight Loss is Key, Brinsea (incubator manufacturer)
- The identification of a phytohaemagglutinin in raw navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) toxic for Japanese quail (Andrews & Jayne-Williams) — title/metadata only read, British Journal of Nutrition (Cambridge)
- Ayam Cemani Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Barnevelders (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Barred Rocks (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Black Australorp (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Black Jersey Giants (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Black Laced Silver Wyandottes (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Black Sex Links (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Blue Ameraucana Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Buckeyes (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Buff Brahmas (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Buff Cochin Standard Chicks (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Buff Orpington (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Cream Legbar Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Cuckoo Marans (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Dark Brahmas (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Delawares (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Dominique Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Easter Egger (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- French Black Copper Marans (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Golden Comet (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Golden Sebright Bantam (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Jumbo Cornish Cross (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Lakenvelder (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Lavender Orpington Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Light Brahmas (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- New Hampshire (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Olive Egger Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Red Sex Links (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Rhode Island Reds (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Salmon Faverolle (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Salmon Favorelle Bantam (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Silver Spangled Hamburg (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Speckled Sussex (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Turkens Naked Necks (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Welsummers (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- White Chantecler Chicken (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- White Leghorn (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- White Silkie Bantam (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- Whitecrested Black Polish (product/breed profile), Cackle Hatchery
- 5 Bantam Breeds that Tolerate Warm Weather, Cackle Hatchery (blog)
- Breed Spotlight: Frizzle, Frazzle, and Sizzle Chickens, Cackle Hatchery (blog)
- Breed Spotlight: Silkie Bantam Chickens, Cackle Hatchery (blog)
- Rare Breed Spotlight: The Ayam Cemani Chicken, Cackle Hatchery (blog)
- Can Chickens Eat Blueberries? (reviewed by Byron de la Navarre DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 3, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Broccoli? (reviewed by Byron de la Navarre DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 3, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Carrots? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; Jun 23, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Celery? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; Jun 29, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Cucumbers? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 11, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Mushrooms? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 11, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Onions? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; AI-assisted; Jun 23, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Oranges? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 3, 2026), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Potatoes? (reviewed by Ivan Alfonso DVM; AI-assisted; Jul 10, 2026), Chewy
- What Do Baby Chicks Eat? All About Feeds for Chicks (medically reviewed by Chewy vets; Apr 30, 2025), Chewy
- What Do Chickens Eat? Everything You Can (And Can't) Feed Your Chickens (with Anthony Pilny DVM DABVP-Avian; medically reviewed by Chewy vets; Apr 30, 2025), Chewy
- Can Chickens Eat Dragon Fruit? (Russell Crow, modified Sept 16, 2022), Chicken & Chicks Info
- Can Chickens Eat Papaya? (Russell Crow, modified Sept 16, 2022), Chicken & Chicks Info
- Chickens and Predators, Colorado State University Extension
- Practical Feeding Methods for Small Poultry Flocks, Colorado State University Extension (H. Enos; Dec 2019; tables adapted from Merck 1967)
- Want to raise backyard chickens for eggs? 5 things to know first, Colorado State University SOURCE (J. DeLoss quoting CSU Extension specialists; 2025-04-10)
- Plants Poisonous to Livestock: Steroid (solanum-type) glycoalkaloids, Cornell University Department of Animal Science
- Increase in lutein and zeaxanthin content in the eggs of hens fed marigold flower extract (Skrivan et al., 2015), Czech Journal of Animal Science 60(3):89-96
- 15+ Foods You Shouldn't Feed to your Chickens (Lisa Steele), Fresh Eggs Daily
- What Can Chickens Eat? Guide to Healthy Treats (Lisa Steele), Fresh Eggs Daily
- The Complete Guide to What Chickens Can Eat (Alexa Lehr, updated 08/21/2026), Grubbly Farms
- Leftovers for Livestock: A Legal Guide for Using Food Scraps as Animal Feed (August 2016), Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic & University of Arkansas School of Law Food Recovery Project
- What Can Chickens Eat? Healthy Treat Ideas + Toxic Foods List (Deanna Talerico, May 16, 2024), Homestead and Chill
- ISA Brown product page (performance table), ISA / Hendrix Genetics
- Transgenic chickens expressing beta-galactosidase hydrolyze lactose in the intestine (Mozdziak et al., 2003), Journal of Nutrition 133(10):3076-3079 (abstract via Mahidol University repository)
- Impacted Crop on Chickens: What You Need to Know (Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D., July 11, 2025), Kalmbach Feeds
- Management of the Small Flock of Chickens (MF-2390), Kansas State University Research and Extension (R. S. Beyer; May 1999)
- Does Wedding Rice Really Make Birds Explode? (Matt Soniak, 2012; reports University of Kentucky tests by James Krupa), Mental Floss
- Aflatoxicosis in Animals (last updated April 2025), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Allium spp Toxicosis in Animals (full review Sept 2024), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Aspergillosis in Poultry (Nov 2024), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Avocado (Persea spp) Toxicosis in Animals (full review Sept 2024), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Botulism in Poultry (last updated Sept 2024), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals (last updated Feb 2026), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Cyanide Poisoning in Animals (full review June 2026), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Helminthiasis in Poultry (last updated May 2025), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Poisonings in Poultry (last updated Sept 2024), Merck Veterinary Manual
- Ayam Cemani Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Barred Plymouth Rock Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Black Australorp Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Black Copper Marans Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Black Jersey Giant Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Black Sex Link Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Blue Ameraucana Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Buckeye Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Buff Brahma Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Buff Orpington Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Cornish Cross Broiler Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Cream Legbar Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Dark Brahma Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Delaware Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Dominique Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Easter Egger Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Frizzle Fs Easter Egger Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Frizzle Fs Mottled Cochin Bantam Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Golden Buff Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Golden Cuckoo Marans Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Lavender Orpington Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Light Brahma Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- New Hampshire Red Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Olive Egger Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Partridge Cochin Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Rhode Island Red Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Salmon Faverolles Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Silver Doubled Laced Barnevelder Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Silver Laced Wyandotte Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Speckled Sussex Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Welsummer Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- White Crested Black Polish Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- White Silkie Bantam Day Old Chicks (product/breed profile), Meyer Hatchery
- Feeds and Nutrition (poultry), Mississippi State University Extension
- Care and Incubation of Hatching Eggs, Mississippi State University Extension (T. W. Smith Jr.; PDF dated 2009)
- The Avian Embryo (P1150), Mississippi State University Extension (T. W. Smith Jr.; reviewed J. Wells)
- Brooding Chickens and Quail (Information Sheet 1338), Mississippi State University Extension (T. W. Smith Jr.)
- Ameraucana (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Andalusian (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Australorp (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Ayam Cemani (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Barnevelder (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Brahma (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Buckeye (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Chantecler (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Cochin (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Delaware (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Dominique (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Easter Eggers (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Faverolles (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Hamburg (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Jersey Giant (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Lakenvelder (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Legbar (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Leghorn White (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Marans (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Naked Neck Turken (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- New Hampshire Red (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Olive Egger My Pet Chicken (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Orpington (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Plymouth Rock (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Polish (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Rhode Island (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Sebright Bantam (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Serama (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Silkie Bantam (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Star (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Sussex (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Welsummer (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- What are frizzles, sizzles and frazzles?, My Pet Chicken
- Which chicken breeds may need extra heat in winter?, My Pet Chicken
- Wyandotte (breed page), My Pet Chicken
- Should I give my chicks medicated feed or unmedicated feed?, My Pet Chicken (updated 2023-08-29)
- Living on the land: Backyard chicken coop design (EC 1644), Oregon State University Extension (Annala et al.; 2014, reviewed 2023)
- Why did my chickens stop laying? (PNW 565), Oregon State University Extension / PNW (J. Hermes; 2003, reviewed 2023)
- How to feed your laying hens (PNW 477), Oregon State University Extension / PNW (J. Hermes; 2016, reviewed 2024)
- Brooding of Domestic Fowl, Penn State Extension
- Do Chickens, Guinea Fowl, or Opossums Control Ticks? (Michael J. Skvarla, updated May 3, 2024), Penn State Extension
- Artificial Lighting for Winter Egg Production, Penn State Extension (A. Bigge; updated 2025-09-09)
- Small Scale Poultry Housing, Penn State Extension (P. Clauer; reviewed G. Martin; updated 2026-06-25)
- Successfully Raising a Small Flock of Laying Chickens, Penn State Extension (P. Clauer; updated 2016-04-22)
- Management Requirements for Laying Flocks, Penn State Extension (P. Clauer; updated 2016-05-17)
- Mouse plague: bromadiolone will obliterate mice—and native wildlife (Davis, Bateman, Lettoof, Watson & Lohr; The Conversation, May 21, 2021), Phys.org (republished from The Conversation)
- 4 myths about backyard birds, debunked (Justin Pot, March 22, 2026), Popular Science
- Egg Eating by Chickens in Small and Backyard Flocks (Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky), Poultry Extension (extension.org)
- Feeding Chickens for Egg Production in Small and Backyard Flocks (Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky), Poultry Extension (extension.org)
- Feeding Chickens for Egg Production in Small and Backyard Flocks, Poultry Extension (J. Jacob, University of Kentucky)
- Space Allowances in Housing for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks, Poultry Extension (poultry.extension.org, land-grant collaboration; USDA NIFA supported)
- Silver Sebright Bantam Chicks (product/breed profile), Purely Poultry
- Chicken Treats: Are They Good for My Laying Hens? (Patrick Biggs, Ph.D.), Purina Animal Nutrition
- Pasty Butt: Sick Baby Chick Symptoms and Care, Purina Animal Nutrition
- What to Feed Chickens: Chicken Treats to Feed and Avoid (Patrick Biggs, Ph.D.), Purina Animal Nutrition
- Egg goals for your backyard chickens: How egg production is affected by age (poster), Purina Animal Nutrition (2023)
- What Do Chickens Eat? Plan Your Chicken Feed Program, Purina Animal Nutrition (P. Biggs)
- Possible new way to reduce pain inspired by chickens (Feb 1, 2023), Stanford Medicine
- Chicken coop pop doors: Size, height off the ground, and design ideas, The Featherbrain (B. Wyzard; blog, year not shown)
- The Definitive List of Chicken Treats: What Can Chickens Eat? (modified Mar 26, 2024), The Happy Chicken Coop
- Andalusian Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Australorp Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Brahma Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Buckeye Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Chantecler Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Cochin Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Cornish Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Delaware Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Dominique Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Faverolles Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Hamburg Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Jersey Giant Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Lakenvelder Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Leghorn Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- New Hampshire Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Orpington Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Plymouth Rock Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Polish Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Rhode Island Red Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Sebright Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Sussex Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Wyandotte Chicken (breed facts), The Livestock Conservancy
- Selecting the Right Chicken Coop for Your Flock, The Old Farmer's/Farmers' Almanac (L. Steele; updated 2026-07-27)
- Can Chickens Eat Kiwi? (Cassandra Kyser; reviewed by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ; Aug 28, 2026), The Vet Desk (formerly PangoVet)
- What Food Can Chickens Eat? 99 Safe Veggies, Fruits, and More (Dean Eby; no vet reviewer listed; Jan 27, 2026), The Vet Desk (formerly PangoVet)
- Persimmons in permaculture (2010), The Walden Effect (blog)
- Evaluation of the in vivo efficacy of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds against gastrointestinal helminths of chickens (Acorda, Mangubat & Divina, 2019), Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences 43(2):206-211
- Feeding your Flock (Poultry Science column), Dr. Maurice Pitesky DVM & Dr. Nancy Reimers DVM, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine / UC Cooperative Extension (UC ANR)
- Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks (PS-35), UF/IFAS Extension (Jacob, Wilson, Miles, Butcher, Mather; rev. 2017, reviewed 03/2025)
- 10 Foods You Should Never Feed Chickens, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County (Kalyn Waters)
- Lighting Schedules for Arizona Backyard Laying Flocks (az2185), University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (A. Wright; Jan 2026)
- Eggs or Meat...Does the same chicken produce both?, University of Delaware CANR (G. Cartanza; 2023-03-28)
- STEAM Team: Chicken Food and Water, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
- Backyard Flock Tip: Housing and Confinement for the Backyard Flock, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension (C. Dunkley; Jan 2010)
- Keep Teflon, Avocado, Lead, and Zinc Away From Pet Birds (Hannah Beers, 2018), University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
- Incubation and Embryology Q & A, University of Illinois Extension
- Chapter 12 - Introduction (water consumption, Table 12.1), University of Kentucky Animal & Food Sciences
- Feeds and Feeding for Small-scale Egg-production Enterprises (ASC-233), University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (J. Jacob, T. Pescatore; 2017, issued 1-2018)
- Predator Management for Small-scale Poultry Enterprises in Kentucky (ID-245), University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension (Jacob, Pescatore, Springer; 2017)
- Urban Poultry (ASC-241), Jacquie Jacob & Tony Pescatore, 2018, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
- Simple Steps to Starting Healthy Chicks in Maine (Bulletin #2221), University of Maine Cooperative Extension (D. Coffin; 2020)
- Maine Poultry Facts: Lighting For Small-Scale Flocks (Bulletin #2227), University of Maine Cooperative Extension (Hawes; updated Brzozowski, Coffin, Knight; 2009, 2021)
- Maine Poultry Facts: Hatching Your Own Chicks (Bulletin #2072), University of Maine Cooperative Extension (Hawes; updated Coffin; 2009, 2020)
- Common Crop Issues in Backyard Chickens (EBR-60), Moyle, Ghanem & Perdue, June 2021, University of Maryland Extension
- Raising Your Home Chicken Flock (EB-409), 2013, University of Maryland Extension
- Chicken housing (housing requirements), University of Maryland Extension (J. Moyle; updated 2022-05-11; space table cites Clauer 2009)
- Identifying and Preventing Poultry Predators in the Mid-Atlantic Region (FS-1132), University of Maryland Extension (Moyle et al.; updated 2022-06-16)
- Backyard Layer Flock Economics - How Much Does It Cost You to Produce a Dozen Eggs? (FS-2025-0783), University of Maryland Extension (Moyle, Johnson, Tabler, Bruce; updated 2026-08-18)
- Predator Control (slide deck), University of Maryland Extension (N. Richards, J. Rhodes)
- Brooding and Caring for Chicks, University of New Hampshire Extension
- Chicken Breeds & Varieties (A2880), incl. APA standard weights, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension
- Housing Backyard Chickens, Utah State University Extension (D. Frame; 2008)
- Hatching and Caring for Chicks, Utah State University Extension (Farnsworth, Hadfield, Longmore; March 2025)
- Managing Chickens From Chicks to Peak Egg Production, Utah State University Extension (J. Okoh, E. Perry; October 2025)
- Is There a Correlation Between Rodents and Backyard Chickens?, Utah State University Extension (J. Reese, quoting T. Messmer; 2018-08-24)
- Small-scale Poultry Housing (2902-1092), Virginia Cooperative Extension (L. Jacobs, P. Clauer; 2023-04-28)
- Incubating Eggs (2902-1090), Virginia Cooperative Extension (P. Clauer; 2009)