Backyard Chickens for Beginners

Adult Enrichment / Home and Garden -

Winter/Spring 2025

Ready to start your own chicken flock? This class is the perfect introduction to raising chickens right in your backyard.

Topics include:

city ordinances
preparing the coop and run
selecting breeds
sourcing
raising and caring for baby chicks
setting up a brooder
feeding and care
biosecurity
exciting ideas for using your eggs

Instructors

University of Minnesota Extension - Colleen Carlson

Colleen Carlson has served as the Ag Production Systems Extension Educator in Scott and Carver counties since 2016. Colleen teaches a number of poultry classes through UMN Extension and has raised a variety of chickens, ducks, turkey, geese and peafowl. Colleen is a 5th generation poultry keeper.

University of Minnesota Extension - Lia Spaniolo

Lia Spaniolo is the Urban Ag and Small Farms Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota based in Hennepin County. She offers support and guidance to urban and small farmers who grow food for sale or distribution. She also coordinates farm tours throughout the metro to help growers learn effective production practices and build sustainable businesses.

March 2025