BackYard Chickens Forums: The Largest Chicken Keeping Community Online
What Is BackYard Chickens Forums? BackYard Chickens Forums, hosted at backyardchickens.com/forums/, is the largest and most active online community dedicat
What Is BackYard Chickens Forums?
BackYard Chickens Forums, hosted at backyardchickens.com/forums/, is the largest and most active online community dedicated to chicken keeping. With hundreds of thousands of registered members and millions of posts, this forum has been the go-to gathering place for backyard poultry enthusiasts since its founding. Whether you are a first-time chicken owner with a handful of hens or a seasoned keeper managing a large flock, the forums offer a welcoming space to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others who share your passion.
The community is organized into dozens of topic-specific sections covering everything from breed selection and coop construction to health emergencies and egg production. Members routinely post detailed photo threads of their coops, share step-by-step tutorials for DIY projects, and crowdsource advice when a bird appears ill. The collective knowledge base is staggering—many threads span years of ongoing conversation, creating a deep archive of practical wisdom that simply cannot be found in any single book or course.
One of the most valuable but often overlooked features of the BackYard Chickens Forums is the library of free spreadsheet templates that members have created and shared over the years. These templates cover egg production tracking, feed cost calculation, flock health records, and even return-on-investment comparison tools. For any backyard chicken keeper who wants to run their hobby flock with a bit more data-driven precision, these community-made resources are an absolute goldmine.
Key Features
- Massive Active Community: Hundreds of thousands of members actively posting questions, answers, photos, and project updates on a daily basis.
- Topic-Specific Sub-Forums: Organized sections for breeds, coop design, health and illness, feeding, egg production, incubation, and more so you can quickly find relevant discussions.
- Free Spreadsheet Templates: Member-created downloadable spreadsheets for egg tracking, feed cost analysis, flock management logs, and ROI calculators—completely free.
- DIY Project Archives: Thousands of photo-documented build threads for coops, tractors, feeders, waterers, and run setups with detailed materials lists and cost breakdowns.
- Breed Review Database: Extensive member-written reviews and ratings for dozens of chicken breeds covering temperament, egg production, cold hardiness, and foraging ability.
- Buy/Sell/Trade Section: A marketplace sub-forum where members can list hatching eggs, chicks, adult birds, and equipment for sale or trade.
- Emergency Help Section: A dedicated area for urgent health questions where experienced keepers and even poultry-savvy veterinarians often chime in quickly.
- Mobile-Friendly Access: The forum is fully responsive and easy to browse on smartphones and tablets, so you can get help right from the coop.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free to join and use | Information quality varies by poster |
| Enormous archive of answered questions | Forum interface feels dated compared to modern apps |
| Free spreadsheet templates for flock management | Can be overwhelming for brand-new users to navigate |
| Responsive and helpful community | Some advice contradicts veterinary guidance |
| DIY project threads with photos and cost breakdowns | Search function could be more intuitive |
| Breed reviews from real keepers in real conditions | Marketplace listings depend on local availability |
Pricing
BackYard Chickens Forums is completely free to use. Registration is free and unlocks full access to all sub-forums, the ability to post questions and replies, private messaging, and access to all shared files and spreadsheet templates. There are no premium tiers or hidden paywalls. The site is supported by advertising and the occasional affiliate partnership, but no payment is ever required to participate in or benefit from the community.
How to Use BackYard Chickens Forums
Step 1: Create a Free Account. Visit backyardchickens.com/forums/ and register with a username and email address. Account creation takes less than two minutes and immediately grants full posting privileges.
Step 2: Browse the Sub-Forums. Spend time exploring the different topic sections to get a feel for the community. Key areas include “Raising Baby Chicks,” “Coop Design and Construction,” “Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying,” and “Emergencies, Diseases, Injuries, and Cures.”
Step 3: Search Before You Post. The forum has been active for many years, and chances are your question has already been asked and answered. Use the search bar to look for existing threads before starting a new one.
Step 4: Download Free Spreadsheet Templates. Visit the “Feeding and Watering” or “Managing Your Flock” sections to find member-shared spreadsheets for egg tracking, feed cost calculation, and flock health logs. Download them and customize the templates to fit your specific flock size and needs.
Step 5: Engage and Give Back. Once you gain experience, pay it forward by answering questions from newer members, sharing photos of your own coop build, or uploading improved versions of the tracking spreadsheets you have developed.
Who Should Use This Tool?
BackYard Chickens Forums is ideal for anyone who keeps or is considering keeping backyard chickens. First-time chicken owners will find an endlessly patient community ready to answer basic questions about brooding, feeding, and coop setup. Intermediate keepers benefit from the breed reviews, DIY project archives, and health-related discussions. Advanced poultry enthusiasts and small-scale farmers use the forums to connect with like-minded individuals, trade rare breeds, and share innovative management techniques. If you want data-driven flock management tools like egg tracking and feed cost spreadsheets without spending money on specialized software, this community delivers exceptional value at no cost whatsoever.
Recommended Products for Your Flock
- Wire Egg Collection Basket: A sturdy wire basket designed for collecting eggs safely without breakage. Its open design lets you spot cracks immediately and allows for easy rinsing—perfect for keepers who track daily egg production using their forum-sourced spreadsheets.
- Automatic Chicken Door: A programmable coop door that opens at dawn and closes at dusk, protecting your flock from predators. A popular topic on the forums, this addition brings peace of mind and eliminates the need for early morning and late evening coop checks.
- Coop Accessories Kit: A bundled set of essential coop hardware including latches, hinges, and ventilation components. Ideal for DIYers following coop build threads from the forums who want reliable hardware without making multiple trips to the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BackYard Chickens Forums really free?
Yes. Registration, posting, private messaging, file downloads, and access to every sub-forum are completely free. There are no premium tiers or paywalls.
Do I need to register to read the forums?
Most threads are visible to guests without registration. However, creating a free account is required if you want to post questions, reply to threads, download shared files and spreadsheets, or send private messages to other members.
Are the free spreadsheet templates safe to download?
The templates shared by community members are typically standard Excel or Google Sheets files. As with any download, it is wise to scan files with antivirus software. The templates themselves are generally straightforward data-tracking sheets created by fellow chicken keepers.
Can I get veterinary advice on the forums?
While many experienced members provide helpful guidance based on years of hands-on experience, forum advice should never replace professional veterinary care. For serious health emergencies, always consult a licensed avian or exotic animal veterinarian in addition to seeking community input.
How do I find the spreadsheet templates for egg tracking and feed costs?
Navigate to the “Managing Your Flock” or “Feeding and Watering” sub-forums and look for pinned threads or posts with attached files. You can also use the forum search bar and type “spreadsheet,” “egg tracker,” or “feed calculator” to locate the most popular shared templates.