Author Karen Harris used interviews with a half dozen experienced small-scale chicken farmers to create the ultimate "how-to" book for managing a backyard flock.
A TRULY comprehensive guide covering everything you NEED TO KNOW:
- Sourcing Chicks
- Understanding chicken terms and breeds
- Differentiating between layers, meat birds, dual-purpose chickens, and bantams
- When and where to get chicks: local hatcheries, mail-order, feed stores, local breeders, community exchange groups
- Preparing for the arrival of chicks: setting up a brooder, providing heat, light, ventilation, quarantine, socialization
- Raising Chicks
- Feeding and watering chicks: chick starter, fresh water, treats, grit
- Ensuring proper warmth and ventilation
- Monitoring chick health and growth: antibiotics, injuries, illnesses, tracking growth
- Transitioning chicks to the coop: feathering, weaning from heat lamp, weather considerations, coop introduction
- Housing for Suburban Chickens
- Types of chicken housing for small spaces: pre-made coops, custom-built coops, converted sheds, mobile coops
- Determining the ideal coop size
- Essential coop features: door, roosts, nesting boxes, predator protection, ventilation, natural sunlight
- Additional desirable coop features: people door, exterior egg collection lid, feed tubes, electricity
- Importance of a well-designed chicken run and bedding material options
- Feeding Your Flock
- Understanding the digestive system and nutritional requirements of chickens: protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, calcium, water
- Types and styles of chicken feed: starter, grower, finisher, layer; crumbles, pellets, mash, scratch
- Supplementing feed with treats and greens: fruits, vegetables, safe options, growing your own chicken food
- Importance of oyster shells and distinguishing between oyster shells and grit
- Considerations regarding lawn care and the interaction of suburban chickens
- Protecting Your Chickens from Predators
- Identifying common predators in suburban areas: wildlife (raccoons, hawks, coyotes, etc.) and domestic (dogs, cats, humans)
- Deterrence strategies: fencing, netting, alarms, motion lights, locks, and latches
- Responding to an attack: in-progress response, assessing injuries, regrouping afterward
- Urban Chicken Ordinances
- Understanding laws, regulations, ordinances, and homeowners' associations
- Addressed concerns: number of chickens, rooster bans, slaughter and free-range rules, nuisance complaints, coop placement and housing requirements, permits, health codes
- Free-Ranging and Foraging
- Benefits of free-ranging: varied diet, better egg quality, active chickens, tastier meat, cleaner coop, reduced feed costs, insect control, mental stimulation
- Managing free-range time, protecting free-ranging chickens, drawbacks to consider: lawn chemicals, chicken poop, foraging risks
Written in an accessible and engaging style, each chapter is designed to enhance your knowledge and equip you with the tools necessary to succeed.