Clucking Fun: Our Chicken-Keeping Course is Now Available on Etsy!

Hey there, fellow homeschoolers and chicken enthusiasts!

This year, our family took the plunge and got chickens! It’s been an incredible experience; we’re so glad we did. As part of our homeschooling journey, we decided to do a chicken summer intensive, diving deep into chicken-keeping. And let me tell you, it’s been a real hoot!

Backyard chicken keeping during our homeschool summer intensive

Hands-on chicken keeping as part of our homeschool learning

Our kids have learned so much about these amazing creatures, from breed characteristics to nutritional needs, and even how to hold them safely (yes, there’s a technique to it!). We’ve also come up with the cutest nickname for Peter – we call him “Farmer Pete”! It’s adorable to see them running around the backyard, collecting eggs from Camille, Bridget, Annie, Jade, Mary, Olive, and Daisy, as we playfully pretend the chickens are shouting, “Farmer Pete, Farmer Pete, come see what we got!”

Learning directly from our flock has become another example of the hands-on, nature-based learning we love incorporating into our homeschool.

We love letting our girls free range most of the day, exploring the backyard, and soaking up the sunshine. We secure them safely in their cozy coop at night, with soft bedding and fresh water.

A secure coop is an important part of keeping a backyard flock. Penn State Extension recommends housing that protects chickens from predators and weather while providing adequate ventilation and access to food and water.

A Quick Safety Note for Families

Backyard chickens can carry germs even when they look healthy. The CDC recommends washing hands after touching poultry, eggs, or anything in their environment, supervising children around backyard flocks, and keeping poultry equipment outside the home. The CDC also recommends that children younger than 5 years old not handle or touch poultry.

One little routine that grew out of this in our own home is keeping our chicken-yard shoes outside.

Our kids are so proud of their new feathered friends and can’t wait to share their knowledge with others. And that’s exactly why we’ve created a chicken-keeping course, now available in our Etsy shop!

Hands-on chicken keeping during our homeschool learning

In this chicken-keeping course, your kids will learn all about:

Different chicken breeds and their unique characteristics
How to keep chickens healthy and happy
Nutritional needs and feeding strategies
Coop care and temperature control
Chicken anatomy and common health issues
And more!

Caring for animals is also a wonderful opportunity for children to practice the responsibility and participation we talk about in our contribution-focused childhood. Feeding, watering, collecting eggs, observing behavior, and helping with age-appropriate flock routines turn ordinary chores into real-life learning.

We’re so excited to share our passion for chickenkeeping with your family. And, as a special treat, we’re offering a behind-the-scenes peek into our chicken-keeping journey on our social media channels. Follow us for fun updates, tips, and tricks from our coop, featuring our beloved girls – Camille, Bridget, Annie, Jade, Mary, Olive, and Daisy!

Our interest in chickens has even made its way into our reading life. Books about chicken care and other practical subjects have become another way we connect reading with what we’re learning in everyday life.

So, what are you waiting for? Join us in the world of chicken-keeping, and let’s get clucking!

Homeschool Chicken Keeping Course printable from Here They Grow

Turn Your Backyard Flock Into a Homeschool Adventure

Our 10-week Homeschool Chicken Keeping Course takes kids from meeting the flock and learning about feeding and cleanliness to coop care, chicken anatomy, common health issues, assessments, and more.

ENROLL IN THE CHICKEN-KEEPING COURSE

Happy homeschooling, and happy chicken-keeping!

Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool Chicken Keeping

Can raising chickens be part of a homeschool science curriculum?

Absolutely. Caring for a backyard flock gives children opportunities to observe animal behavior, learn basic anatomy, compare breeds, explore nutrition, study egg production, and understand how an animal’s environment affects its health. It can also naturally incorporate reading, record keeping, responsibility, and problem-solving.

What do backyard chickens need every day?

Backyard chickens need appropriate feed, continual access to clean fresh water, safe housing, protection from weather and predators, and regular observation for changes in health or behavior. Their nutritional needs can also vary by age and whether they are laying eggs.

Is it safe for children to help care for chickens?

Children can participate in age-appropriate flock care with adult supervision, but families should follow good hygiene practices. Hands should be washed after contact with chickens, eggs, equipment, or the areas where poultry live. Current CDC guidance recommends that children younger than 5 not handle or touch poultry.

What should a backyard chicken coop provide?

A good coop should provide shelter from weather and predators, dry bedding, ventilation, access to feed and fresh water, and enough space for the birds to move comfortably. Keeping the coop clean also helps support flock health and keeps eggs cleaner.

What is included in the Here They Grow Homeschool Chicken Keeping Course?

The course is a 10-week digital homeschool resource covering topics such as meeting the flock, cleanliness, feeding, coop care, chicken anatomy, common health issues, assessments, and general health maintenance. It is available as an instant digital download through the Here They Grow Etsy shop.