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Field guides

Breeder briefs & backyard guides.

Plain-English answers to the questions buyers and breeders actually ask us. New posts every week or two.

NPIP certification explained: what buyers should ask, what breeders need to know

7 min read · 2026-05-04

How to ship day-old chicks via USPS Express: a breeder's checklist

9 min read · 2026-04-28

The 8 best backyard chicken breeds for cold climates (and the ones to avoid)

11 min read · 2026-04-20

Live arrival guarantees compared: hatchery DOA policies vs marketplace insurance

6 min read · 2026-04-14

Starting Coturnix quail: 6 weeks from hatch to first egg

8 min read · 2026-04-07

Interstate poultry shipping: the 50-state import-rules cheat sheet

12 min read · 2026-03-30

Heritage turkey for Thanksgiving: a 28-week plan from poult to table

10 min read · 2026-04-02

The best duck breeds for eggs: 6 layers that outlay most chickens

7 min read · 2026-03-22

Backyard biosecurity: stop a flock wipeout in 30 minutes a week

9 min read · 2026-03-15

The perfect brooder setup: a first-week survival guide for day-old chicks

8 min read · 2026-03-08

Storing hatching eggs: how to hold a fertile egg for up to 14 days

6 min read · 2026-03-01

Predator-proofing

Predator-proofing your coop: stop raccoons, hawks, and dogs before they start

9 min read · 2026-04-18

Sick chicken? The backyard disease ID cheat sheet

11 min read · 2026-04-10

Flock management

Free-range vs pastured vs confined: which flock setup wins?

10 min read · 2026-04-25

State NPIP requirements: what you need to ship and receive poultry by state

12 min read · 2026-05-02

Heritage breeds

Sourcing rare heritage breeds: where to find birds hatcheries don't carry

8 min read · 2026-04-29