Morning: count before you carry on
Count the birds and watch them move toward feed and water. Change water daily and provide suitable poultry feed. Check that drinkers work and each bird can reach them. Note a change in appetite or behavior rather than guessing its cause.
Eggs and the evening close
Extension recommends collecting eggs twice daily and returning birds to a predator-protected coop at dusk. Make the last round a deliberate head count, door check and look for gaps. A latch that seems shut from a distance still deserves a closer check.
Keep the week simple
The same guide recommends cleaning the coop and pen weekly. Put that task on a calendar, noting when water equipment or bedding needs attention sooner. A checklist is a memory aid, not a health assessment. Completed chores do not prove every bird is well.
Your quick-reference checklist
- Count every bird.
- Refresh feed and drinking water.
- Observe movement, eating and appearance.
- Collect eggs and record the count.
- Count again and secure the coop at dusk.
A memory aid only. Adapt to your animals and your veterinarian's care plan.
Common questions
How often should I collect eggs?
Minnesota Extension recommends twice daily.
Does this checklist diagnose illness?
No. Record concerning changes and contact a veterinarian.
Sources for this guide
Raising chickens for eggsUniversity of Minnesota Extension · Accessed October 19, 2026
The checklists and worksheets are original organizational tools, not clinical protocols. Sources inform the guidance; their publishers do not endorse this website or PawLine.