Choosing and Keeping Chickens

by Chris Graham

Do you raise chickens as part of the family or as a livelihood? Are you looking for helpful information to provide the best care for your chickens? Or are you just curious to learn more about this popular animal? Choosing and Keeping Chickens provides detailed information about the most prevalent types of chickens. Learn all about their appearance, key traits, general temperament, health concerns, and estimated life span. This book also describes characteristics of the eggs laid by each type of chicken as well as birds that best mix with each breed, so you can make better choices in setting up your coops. Seasonal guides detail the changing needs of chickens over the course of a year and reveal what every chicken keeper should look for as well as how to best arrange chicken housing during various climates. Whether you seek help with your chicken keeping, or just want to know more about chickens, Choosing and Keeping Chickens can help you become more knowledgeable about this fascinating bird.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Gardening

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

Reviews

[iTZKooPA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as a complete novice in the topic. Graham has a nice package here for people like me. A quick read, full of information that real not only in the amount of time such a hobby is likely to take, but how likely you are to get sucked in and what to watch out for (crappy chicken co-op) and where to really spend time and money. Sure, you can dig all of this up on the internet, but this is a great, newbie reference book.

In case you're wondering, I've decided that now isn't the time to tackle this hobby. We need to get some things in order, like the yard for the run area and the vegetable garden. Not to mention, let the kids to age up to enjoy their flock more. That being said, we're eyeing the Orpington because it's fluffy and a decent layer and an Easter Egger because it and its eggs are colorful to get us started.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for learning about the breeds of chickens with a bit of additional information but most of the book is about chicken breeds and their traits.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A UK based chicken book. Lots of really pretty pictures of chicken breeds. Each breed had pics and its own page of info. Lots of breeds many of which are difficult to get or unavailable in the US. Fun to look at though. Otherwise short sections of general info. Pertains to laying chickens only.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really helpful if you are simply looking for nice pictures and a brief guide to choosing chickens. The information about keeping chickens was poorly written and too brief to do a beginner any good.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great basic information for someone looking to start up a backyard coop. I've read other books on the topic that focus too much on raising poultry in an industrial setting. Those were a waste of my time. Chris Graham write with a sense of humor that I appreciate.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with beautiful pictures. Not terribly indepth but still an informational read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooray chickens!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with great pictures, just needs a bit more detail.

[Katherine Pershey]

Ben, are you still afraid of chickens?