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Getting Started With Your Working Chicken: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Backyard Eggs & Meat
Get ready for your new flock in thirty minutes or less!
A short, sweet, and self-sufficient guide to keeping chickens as part of a rural or urban homestead. Learn everything you need to know to get started on your poultry adventure, with quick answers to frequently asked questions like:
What kind of chickens should I get? Which color eggs are best? How many chickens should I get? Should I add a rooster to my flock? Where should I get my chickens? She's so cute! Can I name her? When should I kill my chickens? What infrastructure do I need to make my chickens happy? What should I feed my chickens? Should my chickens have a tractor, a coop, or be free range? How much space do my chickens need? How do I manage my working flock? What is the chicken's place in the farm ecosystem?
Now including a bonus picture book to inspire the next generation of chicken lovers!
A short, sweet, and self-sufficient guide to keeping chickens as part of a rural or urban homestead. Learn everything you need to know to get started on your poultry adventure, with quick answers to frequently asked questions like:
What kind of chickens should I get? Which color eggs are best? How many chickens should I get? Should I add a rooster to my flock? Where should I get my chickens? She's so cute! Can I name her? When should I kill my chickens? What infrastructure do I need to make my chickens happy? What should I feed my chickens? Should my chickens have a tractor, a coop, or be free range? How much space do my chickens need? How do I manage my working flock? What is the chicken's place in the farm ecosystem?
Now including a bonus picture book to inspire the next generation of chicken lovers!
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
173 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hess
53 books110 followersAnna Hess dreamed about moving back to the land ever since her parents dragged her off their family farm at the age of eight. She worked as a field biologist and nonprofit organizer before acquiring fifty-eight acres and a husband, then quit her job to homestead full time. She admits that real farm life involves a lot more hard work than her childhood memories entailed, but the reality is much more fulfilling and she loves pigging out on sun-warmed strawberries and experimenting with no-till gardening, mushroom propagation, and chicken pasturing.
She also enjoys writing about the adventures, both on her blog at WaldenEffect.org, and in her books. Her first paperback, The Weekend Homesteader, helped thousands of homesteaders-to-be find ways to fit their dreams into the hours leftover from a full-time job. The Naturally Bug-Free garden, which suggests permaculture techniques of controlling pest invertebrates in the vegetable garden, is due out in spring 2015 from Skyhorse Publishing. In addition, a heaping handful of ebooks serve a similar purpose.
(As a side note, I use Goodreads more as a personal way of keeping track of the books I read than as a way to share the books I write. If you're here to learn about me as an author, check out my gardening-homesteading shelf and ignore all the fluff. You can also drop by www.wetknee.com for my authorial musings.)
She also enjoys writing about the adventures, both on her blog at WaldenEffect.org, and in her books. Her first paperback, The Weekend Homesteader, helped thousands of homesteaders-to-be find ways to fit their dreams into the hours leftover from a full-time job. The Naturally Bug-Free garden, which suggests permaculture techniques of controlling pest invertebrates in the vegetable garden, is due out in spring 2015 from Skyhorse Publishing. In addition, a heaping handful of ebooks serve a similar purpose.
(As a side note, I use Goodreads more as a personal way of keeping track of the books I read than as a way to share the books I write. If you're here to learn about me as an author, check out my gardening-homesteading shelf and ignore all the fluff. You can also drop by www.wetknee.com for my authorial musings.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 7, 2022
This is now the second book I've read by Anna has. And both of them have been amazing. I learned a lot from her weekend homestead of April book, and now her chicken book here has a lot of good information and walks you through how to start a flock.
October 14, 2022
Full of info
I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read & very interesting. I learned a lot & want to now put it to use. Will be doing so next spring. Thank you for this book Anna. I plan to read other books by you also. I like the way you write. I also enjoyed the child's book. Very good!
I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read & very interesting. I learned a lot & want to now put it to use. Will be doing so next spring. Thank you for this book Anna. I plan to read other books by you also. I like the way you write. I also enjoyed the child's book. Very good!
June 25, 2016
Nice, short little how-to!
Short, easy book to read. Most of what was included I knew already from the last year of chicken raising but it's excellent for beginners!
Short, easy book to read. Most of what was included I knew already from the last year of chicken raising but it's excellent for beginners!
May 7, 2020
Some major fallacies
One of the biggest lies I have seen told to novice chicken ranchers is that the girls start slacking off after a couple molts. Nothing could be farther from the truth! If you want to see for yourself, just weigh the eggs. Beginning at the, well, beginning, the hen will lay every day more or less. After her first molt (which can look quite terrifying for a novice. Who knew a hen wore so many feathers!), a hen will lay few but larger eggs. I was weighing mine as part of an experiment by Mother Earth News, and noticed that some individuals went from 6 a week to 5, but the total weight was the same. So, if you keep your flock healthy, give them supplemental protein (aka bugs/ meal worms) as needed and keep stress low, you will not notice any difference in overall "harvest". One of my elders, a 15 year old Americauna, laid eggs so large they didn't fit in the cartons (3.5- 3.7 oz!) She laid a steady 4 a week, helped wrangle babies, and was a calming presence in the flock. A predator got her one night, sadly. Killing a laying hen is akin to butchering a milk cow. If you have a laying issue, you may need to tweak the diet, get them a fan when it's hot, etc. Heck, I still sing to mine in the evening to settle them, just like I did when they were chicks.
Another issue I think is important is grit. City chicks may not have enough grit in their diet to digest non-kibble food (anything that's not dry chicken feed) so you may need to supply it for them. Your local feed store will have it.
Lastly, I think it is worth mentioning that your flocks' health largely depends on how clean you keep their area(s). Allowing feces to gather is just asking for trouble. Go through at least once a month and scrape, scrub, etc. any stuck on poop. I usually remove some of the hay & replace it with fresh. It makes great compost. I have dirt floors & use deep mulching. You will need to research & do what works best for you. I've heard of rinsable linoleum floors, even.
So, it's a mixed review, as you can see. I give it 5 out of 10 Unicorns, mostly because she advocates slaughtering of laying hens. If that part gets removed, I'd give it 8/10.
🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
One of the biggest lies I have seen told to novice chicken ranchers is that the girls start slacking off after a couple molts. Nothing could be farther from the truth! If you want to see for yourself, just weigh the eggs. Beginning at the, well, beginning, the hen will lay every day more or less. After her first molt (which can look quite terrifying for a novice. Who knew a hen wore so many feathers!), a hen will lay few but larger eggs. I was weighing mine as part of an experiment by Mother Earth News, and noticed that some individuals went from 6 a week to 5, but the total weight was the same. So, if you keep your flock healthy, give them supplemental protein (aka bugs/ meal worms) as needed and keep stress low, you will not notice any difference in overall "harvest". One of my elders, a 15 year old Americauna, laid eggs so large they didn't fit in the cartons (3.5- 3.7 oz!) She laid a steady 4 a week, helped wrangle babies, and was a calming presence in the flock. A predator got her one night, sadly. Killing a laying hen is akin to butchering a milk cow. If you have a laying issue, you may need to tweak the diet, get them a fan when it's hot, etc. Heck, I still sing to mine in the evening to settle them, just like I did when they were chicks.
Another issue I think is important is grit. City chicks may not have enough grit in their diet to digest non-kibble food (anything that's not dry chicken feed) so you may need to supply it for them. Your local feed store will have it.
Lastly, I think it is worth mentioning that your flocks' health largely depends on how clean you keep their area(s). Allowing feces to gather is just asking for trouble. Go through at least once a month and scrape, scrub, etc. any stuck on poop. I usually remove some of the hay & replace it with fresh. It makes great compost. I have dirt floors & use deep mulching. You will need to research & do what works best for you. I've heard of rinsable linoleum floors, even.
So, it's a mixed review, as you can see. I give it 5 out of 10 Unicorns, mostly because she advocates slaughtering of laying hens. If that part gets removed, I'd give it 8/10.
🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
August 28, 2017
Good information!
I liked Anna's style of writing, she told me what I needed to know. The good and not so good part of raising chickens. People should know what they are getting into before they invest. Animals need care and to be treated humanly. She obviously knows what she is talking about.
I liked Anna's style of writing, she told me what I needed to know. The good and not so good part of raising chickens. People should know what they are getting into before they invest. Animals need care and to be treated humanly. She obviously knows what she is talking about.
September 13, 2020
Smiles throughout my read!
Definitely touches on the points folks need to know when considering getting chickens! Living in the end times...I feel our chickens could play a significant role in providing us with a continual healthy source of protein. As supplies are cut off from people due to the Scam...plandemic, (the NWO) my chickens could be the "heroes" of our story!
Definitely touches on the points folks need to know when considering getting chickens! Living in the end times...I feel our chickens could play a significant role in providing us with a continual healthy source of protein. As supplies are cut off from people due to the Scam...plandemic, (the NWO) my chickens could be the "heroes" of our story!
September 15, 2018
Short and to the Point
I like the question and answer format. This is great booklet for those considering getting chickens. When I sort of just came home with chicks one day, I spent hours looking, and made some mistakes that could have been avoided by reading this quick read.
I like the question and answer format. This is great booklet for those considering getting chickens. When I sort of just came home with chicks one day, I spent hours looking, and made some mistakes that could have been avoided by reading this quick read.
March 21, 2019
Good basic introduction
This book gives a basic outline of care, outlines necessary supplies, explains advantages of keeping working chickens, and shows how simple it can be to maintain a flock.
This book gives a basic outline of care, outlines necessary supplies, explains advantages of keeping working chickens, and shows how simple it can be to maintain a flock.
September 6, 2025
A short read
This book was as informative as it was long. I'm sure some one will find a nugget in there but for the most part it's pretty common sense stuff in the brief pages of this guide
This book was as informative as it was long. I'm sure some one will find a nugget in there but for the most part it's pretty common sense stuff in the brief pages of this guide
January 24, 2018
Great information
Easy read
Good information about breads of chickens, the requirements that they need. Also, the best way to start a flock and keep it growing.
Easy read
Good information about breads of chickens, the requirements that they need. Also, the best way to start a flock and keep it growing.
April 16, 2019
Good quick read
Good quick read. Short and to the point.
Highlights the dos for keeping chickens at your home or your farm.
Good quick read. Short and to the point.
Highlights the dos for keeping chickens at your home or your farm.
December 25, 2019
Short and sweet and to the point.
Read
April 5, 2023This book is more of a pamphlet with only the most basic backyard chicken info included.
May 3, 2023
Meat chickens
The book is very short. Like a pleasant conversation with a stranger. It does not go into any details. A quick read.
The book is very short. Like a pleasant conversation with a stranger. It does not go into any details. A quick read.
March 15, 2017
Good, quick read
Four out of five simply because I felt that the book was a bit lacking in detail. It is probably great as a starter book or info book for a very new chicken farmer!
Four out of five simply because I felt that the book was a bit lacking in detail. It is probably great as a starter book or info book for a very new chicken farmer!
April 10, 2017
Useful and utilitarian
This was a very short, useful read for those with an interest in keeping chickens. The reader will need to supplement this with other books but it is a good start.
This was a very short, useful read for those with an interest in keeping chickens. The reader will need to supplement this with other books but it is a good start.
June 5, 2015
Informative
A relevant and useful guide to something you just might want to do someday. Raising chickens is for the beginner rancher and professional farmer. The author walks you through the steps of purchasing the best breeds. I had chickens before when my children were young, mostly for the eggs. What I especially like about the book is the section on how to keep chickens alive through the summer and winter months. The book is well organized, sharing info on how much space is required for chickens, along with maintaining a productive flock by culling old hens and extra roosters. I appreciate the knowledge and experience Anna has shared with us here.
A relevant and useful guide to something you just might want to do someday. Raising chickens is for the beginner rancher and professional farmer. The author walks you through the steps of purchasing the best breeds. I had chickens before when my children were young, mostly for the eggs. What I especially like about the book is the section on how to keep chickens alive through the summer and winter months. The book is well organized, sharing info on how much space is required for chickens, along with maintaining a productive flock by culling old hens and extra roosters. I appreciate the knowledge and experience Anna has shared with us here.
March 7, 2013
To begin with, I think I disagree with the author's basic philosophy. So that may have colored my reading experience. Most of the information in this short book is opinion an anecdote but nothing that is truly useful.
It's especially disappointing when you compare it to Anna Hess's other book Permaculture Chicken: Pasture Basics. That book has problems, but it is well researched and clear.
It's especially disappointing when you compare it to Anna Hess's other book Permaculture Chicken: Pasture Basics. That book has problems, but it is well researched and clear.
December 15, 2016
Great baseline. Lots of references to sites
I'm in the research phase of raising chickens. It's winter now and I'm planning for Spring. I did a quick read through of the book and am now going back through it again, this time reading it on my Kindle, but with my tablet open so I can check out the links she has referred to in the book.
I'm in the research phase of raising chickens. It's winter now and I'm planning for Spring. I did a quick read through of the book and am now going back through it again, this time reading it on my Kindle, but with my tablet open so I can check out the links she has referred to in the book.
November 24, 2014
Yes, very short. No way could it be a learn 'everything' or even close to it book. It does appear to have informative links to other online sources which I haven't checked out yet. I did enjoy the final pictures and story at the end of the book.
December 29, 2014
sweet and simple
I enjoyed this book. It eliminates much info overload while still answering basic questions. This is the book I'd recommend a person start with if interested in raising chickens.
I enjoyed this book. It eliminates much info overload while still answering basic questions. This is the book I'd recommend a person start with if interested in raising chickens.
September 1, 2015
Decent information
It had some decent information but felt like it just kind of ended abruptly. Good for someone who has done zero research on chickens and wants to get into raising chickens.
It had some decent information but felt like it just kind of ended abruptly. Good for someone who has done zero research on chickens and wants to get into raising chickens.
September 4, 2015
I hate being forced to type something in order to rate it.
Hahaha 20 more words required.. 15 more words required, 11 more words required seven more words required , three more words required
Hahaha 20 more words required.. 15 more words required, 11 more words required seven more words required , three more words required
January 29, 2013
A short but funny guide on raising chickens. Helpful for a beginner like myself.
December 23, 2014
Great book for anyone wanting to raise backyard chickens
I really liked that this book had no filler, it was short and to the point, a very informative and easy to read book.
I really liked that this book had no filler, it was short and to the point, a very informative and easy to read book.
February 4, 2015
Good
Easy read. Not too much fluff. Basic info only for a non pet venture. Worth a read. Very likeable author.
Easy read. Not too much fluff. Basic info only for a non pet venture. Worth a read. Very likeable author.
April 14, 2015
Great info
My wife and I are raising some chickens and found the info here useful. If you are looking to raise chickens, check this out.
My wife and I are raising some chickens and found the info here useful. If you are looking to raise chickens, check this out.
April 29, 2015
Helpful
Some helpful tips, but I still named my chickens. It was very practical from a farming view. And it was free.
Some helpful tips, but I still named my chickens. It was very practical from a farming view. And it was free.
May 3, 2015
One of the first books I read when I decided to have Backyard Chickens. Learned a LOT!
August 4, 2015
Good, quick read if you're interested in raising chickens for eggs and meat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews