Backyard Projects With Chickens

Backyard Projects to Do with Chickens

Keeping chickens isn’t just about gathering eggs—your backyard flock can actually help you get more done around your property. From garden prep to pest control, there are plenty of simple and rewarding backyard projects with chickens that benefit both you and your birds.

This blog is the first in a two-part series highlighting 10 of our favorite flock-friendly backyard ideas. These first five projects are perfect for anyone looking to make backyard life more efficient, sustainable, and fun—with a little help from your hens.

Let’s get into it—because your chickens are more capable than you might think.

1. Turn Over Garden Beds With Chicken Power

Before you bust out the shovel this season, let your chickens take a crack at it.

One of the most underrated backyard projects with chickens is using them to turn over garden beds. Chickens naturally scratch and peck at the ground, loosening soil and mixing in organic material like mulch, leaves, and compost. This natural tilling can save you time and effort while giving your flock something stimulating to do.

How to try it:

• Mark off the bed or garden row you want to prep

• Toss in a few kitchen scraps or straw to get their attention

• Let your chickens scratch and dig for a day or two (supervised if needed)

• Rake it smooth and get ready to plant

Bonus: Chickens leave behind droppings rich in nitrogen, which boosts your soil’s fertility.

2. Natural Pest Patrol (No Spray Needed)

Chickens love bugs. And you hate bugs. So why not make your flock your frontline defense?

One of the best backyard projects with chickens for both garden and lawn care is pest control. Your birds will happily hunt down beetles, slugs, grasshoppers, ticks, and even mosquito larvae hiding in damp spots. It’s an eco-friendly and chemical-free way to reduce pests before they can do damage.

How to do it:

• Let your chickens roam around the perimeter of your garden, under shrubs, or near compost bins

• Encourage foraging in mulched areas and leaf piles where insects hide

• Watch them go wild—it’s instinctual and productive

Tip: Bug hunting is best in the early morning or after light rain, when pests are active and close to the surface.

3. Chicken-Activated Compost Corner

If you’ve never composted with your chickens, you're missing out.

Your flock’s natural scratching and pecking helps mix and aerate compost piles, speeding up decomposition while keeping the pile from becoming stagnant. Chickens also contribute valuable nitrogen via their droppings—turning a basic pile of leaves and scraps into rich garden gold.

Set it up like this:

• Choose a secure corner of your yard or run

• Contain it with pallets or chicken wire

• Add layers of straw, bedding, veggie scraps, and dry leaves

• Let the chickens do the rest—just keep out moldy or unsafe food

This kind of composting isn’t just easy—it’s practically self-maintaining.

4. Weeding Helpers on Patrol

While they won’t replace a dedicated hoe, chickens are surprisingly effective at managing some common weeds. Chickweed, dandelion, plantain, and clover are among their favorites—and all pop up in abundance in backyard spaces.

Using chickens for weed control is one of the easiest backyard projects with chickens to implement. You can let them forage in between raised beds, along fence lines, or in less-manicured areas where weeds are getting out of hand.

Safety tip:
Always supervise or use mobile fencing to keep your flock away from delicate crops or newly planted areas. Also, know your weeds—some (like buttercup or foxglove) are toxic to chickens.

5. Refresh the Coop & Run for a Healthier Flock

Spring, summer, or fall—routine cleaning and refreshes are essential to healthy backyard chicken life.

Make it a project! Deep-cleaning the coop, rearranging the run, and adding new enrichment activities are perfect weekend jobs that set the tone for the rest of the season. It’s one of those backyard projects with chickens where you’ll feel the benefits instantly—less odor, fewer flies, and happier hens.

What to include:

• Remove old bedding and sanitize surfaces

• Replace nesting materials (try our nesting pads!)

• Add enrichment: hanging treat balls, mirrors, or even a cabbage swing

• Rake the run, refill dust baths, and check the fencing

Tip: Try planting edible herbs like mint or lavender near the run for natural pest control and a nicer-smelling coop.

Why Backyard Projects With Chickens Just Work

There’s something magical about working with your flock instead of just caring for them. These five backyard projects with chickens not only give your birds mental and physical stimulation—they actively make your outdoor space better, cleaner, and more productive.

You get more done, they get exercise and enrichment, and your backyard ecosystem becomes healthier and more balanced. It’s a win-win...win.

Want to learn more about using chicken power in your garden? Explore some more of our blogs like: 
Chicken Poop 101: Manage Your Coop, Compost, and Garden Like a Pro

Best Herbs and Flowers to Grow for Chickens (and Which to Avoid)

Best Fruits and Vegetables to Grow for Your Chickens