Bonnie's Chickens & Ducks: The Joy of Keeping Your Own Flock

By: Bonnie Christine

Story Adapted From Pattern Magazine – Volume 5

Pattern Magazine is Bonnie Christine's quarterly print and digital publication for surface pattern designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs who believe that how you live shapes what you make. This story first appeared in Volume 5, Gathering Sunshine, the summer 2026 issue.

The joy of keeping your own flock.

There is a particular kind of summer morning I look forward to more than any other.

The garden is still cool, the light is still soft, and before I reach for my coffee or open my computer, I head outside to check on the flock. The chickens are already busy, scratching and pecking in their unhurried way, unbothered by schedules or screens. The ducks waddle in their small procession toward the creek.

And there, in the nesting boxes, a collection of eggs awaits in shades I never quite tire of: cream, brown, and the palest blue ... arranged like a color study from nature.

This is gathering sunshine of the quietest kind.

After nearly a decade away from keeping chickens, our family recently welcomed a flock into our lives. Bear and Ollie are at the perfect ages to learn what it means to tend to living things, to carry a basket to the coop, and to come back proud, breakfast in hand. My husband, David, and I wanted them to know this feeling, to experience home in this way.

We’re not the only family reaching toward something slower and more rooted.

According to the American Pet Products Association, around eleven million U.S. households kept backyard chickens in 2024, a figure that has steadily climbed.

Gardens are going in where lawns once stood. Herbs are growing on kitchen windowsills. And in backyards across the country, small flocks are clucking contentedly alongside homegrown tomatoes.

Our Flock’s Home

I designed the coop on paper first, sketching it on the page before coordinating with a local craftsman for the build. The coop has three parts: a fully enclosed interior, a fenced outdoor run, and a screen door that swings open to let the girls roam freely. Between the enclosed space and the run, an automatic door slides up at sunrise and down at sunset, keeping the flock safe without effort on my end.

That automatic door may be the single best decision I made.

Another feature I prioritized from the very first sketches was the ability to collect eggs without ever stepping inside the coop. On the days I am garden-bound without my coop shoes, I can still fill the basket from outside. Keep this in mind if you're designing your own coop; future you will be grateful!

Lessons from the Coop

From years of keeping chickens, one lesson I'd share without hesitation: food-grade diatomaceous earth is a keeper's best friend. The first time around, I learned this the hard way. Now, to keep crawling insects at bay, we sprinkle diatomaceous earth through the coop and run several times a year. We order all of our chicks and ducks from mypetchicken.com, and I love them for one particular reason: you can order as few as one bird per variety, building a diverse, colorful flock. They ship the chicks the same day they hatch, handle them with such care, and every single time, the post office has come through beautifully.

The ducks are my absolute favorites to watch. They stay together, always, waddling across the yard and down toward the creek like a small, feathered parade.

Our backyard flock keeps me company in the garden, provides eggs for friends and family, and gives our family joy. Bear and Ollie have learned more about care and responsibility from these birds than I could have taught them any other way.

Tips for Starting Your Own Flock

1. Check your local ordinances first.

Most cities allow backyard chickens, but many have rules about flock size, coop placement, and roosters. A quick call to your municipality before you build saves a lot of trouble later.

2. Choose your breeds thoughtfully.

Different breeds lay different-colored eggs and vary in personality. Research before you order to ensure your flock suits both your space and egg basket dreams.

3. Get the space ready before the chicks arrive.

A brooder, bedding, a heat lamp, food, and fresh water all need to be in place on day one. Chicks are tiny and need warmth immediately, so preparation is the best thing you can do for them.

4. Build for predators from the start.

Raccoons, hawks, and foxes are one of the main causes of flock loss. Hardware cloth is far sturdier than standard chicken wire and is worth every penny around the base and roof of your run.

5. Find your flock-sitter before you need one.

This is harder than finding a dog sitter, and summer travel has a way of arriving quickly. Ask a neighbor, a friend, or a family member who'd love the job. Your peace of mind on vacation depends on it.

It never gets old, that basket filled with colors from the coop.

Wanting More?

This story comes from Volume 5 of Pattern Magazine, Gathering Sunshine. The whole summer issue, with every story and photograph, is at bonniechristine.com/patternmagazine.