About Coop Criteria

Coop Criteria is an independent research site for backyard chicken keepers in the United States. We publish buying guides, comparisons and sizing tools for the decisions that cost real money: coops, automatic doors, feeders, waterers and brooding gear.

Every guide is researched, written and reviewed by the Coop Criteria Research Team — the byline on all of our work, and the organization named in each article's review metadata. One team, one standard: the methodology below applies to every guide equally.

How the site is funded

Research is paid for out of our own budget. When the site joins affiliate programs, some outbound shopping links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you — that is the only revenue, it is disclosed on every affected page, and it never buys a placement or a verdict. Brands do not get to see or approve our guides before publication.

What we will not do

• We don't publish fake "hands-on" reviews. If we haven't used a product, the guide says so plainly and labels the comparison as research-based.
• We don't accept free products, sponsorships or paid placements.
• We don't quote capacities from marketing boxes — we re-rate them against recognized space standards and show the math.
• We don't give veterinary advice. Health questions belong with a poultry vet; we link out instead of guessing.

How to reach us

Corrections and suggestions are welcome and get a public fix when valid — verified fixes are logged at Corrections. To report one, use thecontact page.