Getting Started With Chickens & Poultry: Backyard Flock Basics for New Chicks

Do you want to try your hand at homesteading? Or simply enjoy a new backyard pet with a small flock of chickens? This class will help you understand how to make chicken ownership a positive, fun, and safe experience. This class is designed to accommodate students’ flexible schedules and allow them to ask all of their chicken ownership questions in an educational and supportive environment. 

Lessons will feature a video lesson, teacher-facilitated discussion with peer interaction, interactive chats, and feedback for each student as they begin to explore the world of chicken & poultry ownership. 

Class one: Why Get Chickens & Where Do I Get Them? This class will explore the various reasons for owning chickens and how they contribute to a farm or backyard. Students will learn about the benefits of chickens. Students will learn about the potential sources for chickens in their area as well as the pros and cons of each source.
Students will create a visual piece to share with their peers about their reasons for chicken ownership. 

Class two: What Kind of Chickens Should I Get and How Many? Students will learn about various breeds of chickens, their purposes & temperaments, and the basics of flock psychology to understand just how to create a peaceful flock. Students will learn about egg production and the amount of space needed to determine the proper amount of chickens for their own flock. Students will complete a flock profile to share with their peers what their ideal flock will look like. 

Class three: Safe Handling-Students will learn how to safely handle a chicken with emphasis on the safety of both the bird and the handler. Students will learn about potential dangers while handling chickens as well as common errors that occur when starting out with birds. Students will create a short video demonstrating what they learned using a special friend at home (no chickens required!).  Words, Words, and Parts! Students will become familiar with the vocabulary and anatomy basics they need to get started in the chicken world. What’s a pullet? What is grit? Where is a chicken’s crop? Students will work to understand just what each word means before we dive into the world of buying their first chickens. 

Class four: Housing-Students will learn about various options for chicken coops and brooders. They will learn about common housing mistakes, how to make areas predator resistant, and address special concerns related to weather and region. Students will create their own model of a safe chicken space using materials around the house to share with their friends. 

Class five: Feeding & Nutrition. Students will learn about the nutritional needs of a chick as it matures into a chicken. They will learn about common nutritional dangers, how to choose safe feeding supplies, how to store food properly, and how to help their chicks thrive. Students will interact in a photo scavenger hunt of safe and unsafe chicken treats around the house! 


Students will be provided with a video lesson, visuals, and teacher feedback to questions to help them begin their chicken journey on the right path. Student projects will reinforce learning and allow them to build their confidence in their homesteading skills!