The Aussie Backyard Poultry Toolkit
Practical, no-nonsense guides and calculators to help you design, build, and maintain a healthy Australian flock.
Interactive Tools
Plan your coop setup with precision
Run Size Calculator
Calculate the exact space your hens need based on breed size and run type. Optimised for Australian welfare standards.
Open Calculator1.6mm Security Audit
Interactive 5-point checklist to verify your coop is truly fox and snake proof.
Start AuditHeat Emergency Protocol
Immediate 4-step action plan for when temperatures hit 40°C. Includes DIY electrolyte recipe.
View ProtocolDownloadable Guides
Expert PDFs you can print and keep near your coop
The 1.6mm Security Audit
A 5-point checklist to ensure your coop is truly fox and snake proof.
Start AuditAll Downloadable Resources
Daily Chore Checklist (PDF)
A printable morning & evening routine for chicken care
Toxic Plant List (PDF)
Common Australian garden plants that are dangerous for chickens
Egg Production Tracker (PDF)
Log your flock's laying patterns to spot problems early
First Aid Quick Reference (PDF)
Emergency symptoms and immediate actions at a glance
Essential Reading
In-depth guides for every stage of your chicken keeping journey
Chicken Keeper's Glossary
Common terms you'll encounter in the chook-keeping world
- Broody
- A hen that wants to sit on eggs to hatch them. She'll become protective, puff up, and may stop laying. Can be 'broken' by removing from nest and cooling her down.
- Pullet
- A young female chicken, typically under one year old. Pullets start laying around 18-24 weeks of age depending on breed.
- Cockerel
- A young male chicken under one year old. After one year, he's called a rooster or cock. Most councils ban keeping roosters in urban areas.
- Point of Lay (POL)
- A pullet that is about to start or has just started laying eggs, typically 16-20 weeks old. This is a common age to purchase new birds.
- Vent
- The multi-purpose opening under a chicken's tail used for laying eggs and eliminating waste. Health of the vent area is important to monitor.
- Crop
- A pouch in the chicken's throat where food is stored before digestion. Should feel full after eating and empty in the morning.
- Dust Bathing
- Natural chicken behaviour where they dig into loose soil or sand and flick it through their feathers. Essential for controlling parasites.
- Molting
- Annual process where chickens shed and regrow their feathers, usually in autumn. Hens stop laying during this period which can last 8-12 weeks.
- Free Range
- Chickens allowed to roam and forage outside their coop. In Australia, this must be balanced with predator protection, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Roost
- A perch where chickens sleep at night. Should be placed higher than nest boxes as chickens prefer to sleep at the highest point available.
Helpful Links
External resources for Australian chicken keepers
Official Resources
- • State Agriculture Departments – Biosecurity info
- • Local Council Websites – Regulations
- • RSPCA Australia – Welfare guidelines
Community
- • Backyard Poultry Forum – Active Aussie community
- • Facebook Groups – Local keeper groups
- • Poultry Clubs – State-based organisations
Still Have Questions?
Join a local poultry club or online community. There's nothing quite like advice from experienced keepers who understand Australian conditions.
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