Flock Journey is the education home of Hoover's Hatchery | Ready for birds? Shop at hoovershatchery.com
The journey
You don't need to know what a brooder is before you order. You just need to know where to start, and that's right here. We'll walk it together, one stage at a time.
The daily reality, dollars and cents, space needs, and what you don't need.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 1 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
The four questions, the birds we'd hand a first-time Keeper, or let us choose, and how many to start with.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 2 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
The container, heat, food and water, and the full list of what to buy.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 3 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
How chicks ship, the first hour, and what normal looks like.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 4 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
The heat stepdown, space and boredom, the feed switch, the first field trips, and reading the flock.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 5 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
The four numbers of a good coop, our coop, moving day, and the first-night trick.
Read to learn more. Watch the Step 6 video, then dig into these articles to go deeper. Back to the videos
From Hoover's Hatchery
The Hoover's Lean-To Easy Clean Chicken Coop is built from heavy-duty recycled plastic, cleans out in minutes, and comes in 6-bird and 10-bird sizes.
Shop the coopGo further
Your first flock starts with one decision that shapes everything after it: where you get your birds. The hatchery you choose determines…
Years ago, we were newcomers to backyard chickens with a problem. Chick catalogs came in the winter. They were fun to read…
Video: First Night in the Coop Quick answer On their first night in the coop, most young chickens huddle together in one…
Coop Checklist: Space, Ventilation, Roosts, and Nest Boxes Quick answer A coop that works gives each standard chicken about 3 to 4…
The Brooder-to-Coop Transition, Step by Step Quick answer Move chicks from the brooder to the coop once they are fully feathered, usually…
Predator-Proofing Before the Big Move Quick answer Predator-proof the coop and run a week or two before young birds move out of…
Pullet or Cockerel? Reading the Early Signs Quick answer In most standard breeds, you can make a confident guess between weeks 6…
Outdoor Field Trips: Hardening Off Your Young Flock Quick answer Hardening off chicks means giving them short, supervised outdoor visits so they…
Handling Chicks So They Grow Up Friendly Quick answer Handle chicks for a few calm minutes every day, starting once they are…
