Getting Started

A first-time keeper’s roadmap — the order we’d suggest working through this site in, if you’re starting from zero.

1. 01

   Not sure which animal yet?

   Start with the quiz — five questions on your space, time and goals, pointing you at a species to research first rather than starting from scratch.

   Take the quiz →
2. 02

   Check it's actually allowed where you live

   Before anything else — zoning, flock/herd size limits, and species-specific rules (rooster bans, movement registers, drainage rules for ducks) vary a lot by location. Our legality guides cover the questions that actually catch people out, not a substitute for checking with your own local authority.

   Browse the guides →
3. 03

   Work out how much space you actually need

   Run the numbers through the relevant calculator for your region (UK or US) — a real cited standard, not a rule of thumb.

   Open the calculators →
4. 04

   Understand why the number is what it is

   Each species has a deep-dive guide on the reasoning behind its space figures — useful once you're deciding between a bigger or smaller setup, not just taking the minimum at face value.

   Read the space guides →
5. 05

   Learn from other people's mistakes

   Several guides cover the practical surprises and common setup mistakes for specific species — worth a read before you build, not after.

   Browse the guides →
6. 06

   Budget for feed and bedding, not just the build

   The housing calculator gets you the floor area — these two get you a running-cost estimate for what goes inside it.

   See the extra tools →