People who keep backyard chickens tend to be funny about it. They name the hens, they keep a running tally of who laid what, and they will tell you the eggs are "worth it" even after doing the feed math. If you are shopping for one of them, "chicken lover gifts" and "hen lover gifts" are the searches that get you started, but most of the results are generic.
This guide is for the person who actually looks after a flock, or wants to. It covers four funny gifts we make, and some honest tips about what a keeper might really like.
What keepers say they do not need
Another chicken-shaped kitchen towel. If someone keeps a flock, they likely already have some farm-themed decor. A joke that only a chicken keeper would understand is a better gift than a generic hen print. That is how the two designs below were written: one about running a hen house like a small business, the other about trading eggs for quiet.
Gift idea 1: "Hen House Management" mug
The Chicken Mug, Hen House Management turns the daily routine of feeding, watering and collecting into a job title. It is an 11oz white ceramic mug, microwave safe, with a fade-resistant print, at CA$17.99. It suits the keeper who does the 6am rounds in boots before coffee.
Gift idea 2: "Will Trade Eggs for Peace and Quiet" mug
The Funny Chicken Mug, Will Trade Eggs for Peace and Quiet fits the person who has too many eggs and not enough silence. Eggs are a currency among keepers: they end up with neighbours, coworkers and in-laws. This mug gives the joke a home.
Gift idea 3: "Hen House Management" tee
The Chicken Shirt, Hen House Management is a unisex cotton tee (Bella+Canvas 3001, sizes S to 3XL, Athletic Heather, White or Ash) at CA$26.99. It is good for farmers' markets, feed-store runs and the day you finally clean the coop.
Gift idea 4: "Will Trade Eggs" tee
The Funny Chicken Shirt, Will Trade Eggs for Peace and Quiet is the same joke on a tee. If you only buy one for a flock-keeping friend, choose whichever joke sounds more like them: the manager or the egg dealer.
Gift pairing ideas that cost little
- A mug plus a few packs of garden seeds for the run
- A tee plus a homemade "one dozen eggs from me, one favour from you" card, if you are a neighbour who benefits from the flock
- Two mugs for a couple who share the chores
We are not suggesting you buy supplies for the birds; those depend on the flock. If you are thinking about starting one yourself, check your local bylaws first, because rules on backyard hens vary by municipality.
A note about the "chicken lady" label
Some people are happy to wear "chicken lady" or "chicken mom" as a badge, and some are not. Both designs here avoid the label and use jokes about the work instead, so they suit keepers of any age or gender.
Before you order
Everything is made to order, so please keep the following in mind:
- Allow 2 to 5 business days for printing plus shipping.
- The shirts cannot be returned for the wrong size or colour, so check the size chart in the photos. Damaged or misprinted items will be replaced or fixed; message us.
- Prices are in Canadian dollars at the time of writing, and may change.
- We do not claim any of these designs is a bestseller; we only have a small, new shop. They are original designs printed and shipped by our print partner.
For more ideas, see the Animals collection in the shop.