Raising backyard chickens is becoming more popular in suburban and urban areas, but before you bring home chicks, it is critical to understand the zoning laws and HOA rules that may apply to you.

In this episode of The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, Phil and Lauren break down zoning regulations, homeowner association rules, and local ordinances that affect poultry keeping. We walk through where to start, how to research the rules in your area, and why checking before you buy chicks can save you a huge amount of stress and heartache later.

You will learn how zoning laws work, how HOA restrictions differ from local ordinances, and what renters need to consider before starting a flock. We also explain why your county extension office should be your first stop, how to navigate complaints from neighbors, and how to stay compliant while still enjoying backyard chickens.

Pest Control Supplies: https://meyerhatchery.com/products/pest-control

Whether you’re a beginner or expanding your flock, this podcast aims to educate and inspire your poultry journey. New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe, leave a review, and share your poultry questions or stories at podcast at meyerhatchery.com.

Don’t forget to place your Meyer Hatchery order! 🐔 Use code THECOOP at meyerhatchery.com for 10% off your order (one-time use per customer, $50 subtotal minimum).

In this episode of The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, Phil and Lauren discuss the key question in backyard poultry keeping: your why. They explore reasons for raising chickens, such as fresh eggs, food security, pest control, family bonding, and teaching responsibility. Phil shares personal stories, while Lauren reflects on her upbringing with poultry and the lessons learned from caring for a flock.

Insights from Meyer Hatchery’s customer service highlight common motivations for new chicken keepers. The hosts discuss practical aspects like meat birds versus laying hens, composting, and the benefits of backyard chickens. They also introduce a fun segment, Cluck Cluck What the Heck, featuring real-life chicken antics.

Whether you’re a beginner or expanding your flock, this podcast aims to educate and inspire your poultry journey. New episodes drop every other week. Subscribe, leave a review, and share your poultry questions or stories at podcast at meyerhatchery.com.

Don’t forget to place your Meyer Hatchery order! 🐔 Use code THECOOP at meyerhatchery.com for 10% off your order (one-time use per customer).

Welcome back to The Coop Podcast with Meyer Hatchery, a poultry podcast for backyard chicken keepers and anyone starting their poultry journey.

In this teaser episode, Phil and Lauren introduce the return of The Coop Podcast and share what listeners can expect in the season ahead. We talk about starting chickens the right way, from checking local rules and planning your chicken coop setup to choosing the right chicken breeds and caring for your flock with confidence.

Whether you are a beginner chicken keeper, raising chicks for the first time, or expanding into ducks, quail, turkeys, or other backyard poultry, this podcast is here to make poultry keeping approachable, educational, and fun. We will cover chicken care tips, feed and nutrition, egg laying issues, flock management, and real life lessons from years in poultry.

New episodes of this homesteading and backyard farming podcast drop every other week. Subscribe now and join us in the coop.

Don’t forget to place your 2026 Meyer Hatchery order! 🐔 Use code MHYT at meyerhatchery.com for $5 off your order (one-time use per customer, $50 subtotal minimum).

In this episode of The Coop, your new host Blaire is joined by Lauren from the marketing team and Anne from customer service to discuss egg production in cooler weather. Together, they explore the natural reasons hens slow down during fall and winter and share practical tips on how to keep them laying. From the impact of shorter daylight hours to molting and energy conservation, you'll get all the details on managing your flock during seasonal changes. They also answer questions from listeners in different climates and highlight breeds that are excellent year-round layers. Don't miss out on these tips for optimizing your flock's egg production throughout the year!

Check out our Blog on Supplemental Coop Lighting for Egg Production

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Join Jess and Blaire in this episode of The Coop with Meyer Hatchery as they look into the essentials of maintaining a small or urban flock. Blaire shares her journey from managing a large hobby farm in Michigan to a compact backyard setup in Florida. Learn about choosing the right breeds, predator-proofing, and navigating local regulations. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or looking to downsize, this episode offers practical tips to help you succeed with a smaller flock and enjoy the benefits of urban homesteading.

Blog - Top Breed Picks For a Family Friendly Flock
YouTube - Jess's Top 5 Chicken Breeds
Shop What's Hatching from Meyer Hatchery

Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery! In this episode, Lauren and Kelsey, Meyer Hatchery team members, talk about the importance of maintaining a sustainable flock. Kelsey shares her experiences raising chickens, guinea fowl, and ducks on her Ozarks homestead.

They discuss the essentials of a sustainable flock, including the role of roosters, hatching eggs with broody hens or incubators, and tips for successful incubation. Kelsey also highlights her favorite dual-purpose breeds and sustainable feeding practices, like using kitchen scraps and growing vegetables for the flock.

Whether you're a seasoned poultry keeper or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights on building and maintaining a sustainable flock. Tune in to learn more and get inspired!

Add a Homestead Helper to your order today!

*As an Amazon Affiliate, Meyer Hatchery may earn from qualifying purchases made through links posted on this site.

The Bluetooth hygrometer Kelsey uses - https://amzn.to/3WRNd5f
another option we love - https://amzn.to/3yKRUG0

In this episode of The Coop, Jess from Meyer Hatchery sits down with Hanns from Omlet to discuss the evolution of chicken keeping and coop design.
They explore Omlet and what makes them so special and Hanns shares his thoughts on making chicken coops more convenient and secure with features like automated doors that simplify daily routines for chicken keepers. There is lots to learn in this episode!
You don't want to miss this Chicken Chat!

Shop the Omlet Pro and more here - https://ift.tt/GeVQMJT
Meyer Exclusive! Free Entertainment Perch worth over $200 when you order any Eglu from Omlet. Use code MEYER24.

Welcome back to The Coop with Meyer Hatchery!
On this episode our host Linda has special guest Angela Ferraro-Fanning, joining us to discuss her writing and her permaculture homestead in New Jersey. Angela is the author of "A Little Homesteader: A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom."

Angela shares her journey into sustainable farming and permaculture, as well as her passion for living in harmony with nature. She discusses her self-taught approach to farming and the evolution of her homestead into a permaculture farm, where every element contributes to the greater ecosystem.

As the conversation unfolds, Angela delves into the inspiration behind her "Little Homesteader" book series, aimed at promoting seasonal living and connecting families with the food they eat. She highlights the importance of children understanding where their food comes from and engaging in hands-on experiences, regardless of their living situation.

Angela also discusses her other books, "The Sustainable Homestead" and "The Harvest Table Cookbook," sharing insights into sustainable farming practices and plant-based recipes inspired by homegrown produce.

This episode is a great one to contribute to your ongoing journey of learning and hear about Angela's passion for sharing knowledge about permaculture and sustainable living.

Thank you for tuning in to The Coop.
And remember, life is good because we have chickens, ducks, and geese.

Listen to the latest episode of The Coop, where our guest host Meagan discusses Talking Turkeys with special guest and Meyer Hatchery Brand Ambassador Josh from Fowl Mouth Farmer. We cover topics ranging from raising turkeys to multi-purpose functionality, social media presence, and the finer details of coop aesthetics. Filled with laughter and insightful moments, this episode will surely entertain and educate. Josh brings his unique perspective on poultry raising and his infectious personality to the conversation, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in raising turkeys, whether for market or just for your family and friends.

Don't miss out on the fun – tune in to Talking Turkeys now!

For more insights on permaculture and sustainable living, be sure to check out our blog, Chickens: The Perfect Permaculture Partners.

Follow FowlMouthFarmer on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for even more entertaining poultry antics from a fellow poultry enthusiast.

Join us on the Meyer Moment Podcast as host Linda explores the Meyer Hatchery April Bird of the Month - the  Orpington.

Learn about this dual-purpose breed's friendly nature, diverse color varieties, and egg-laying capabilities. Don't miss out on this chat with Lauren from Meyer's marketing team and grab a special discount on your next Meyer Hatchery purchase over $50.

Subscribe, listen, and discover why life is better with chickens!

Shop Orpingtons on our website.