If you could recommend one book....

MountainFarmPeeps

In the Brooder
10 Years
Dec 15, 2009
71
3
39
The Woods of NH
What would it be?

Hi guys! My name is Natalie and our mountain farm is about to become a CHICKEN MOUNTAIN FARM! YAYAYAYAY!! I'm very happy and can't wait to begin my life as a chicken farmer...I haven't taken care of livestock since I was a teenager and am so glad to get some livestock back in my life! I have 25 White Dorking hatchlings coming home in May...and currently have taken on the flock of my neighbor and good friend...that wasn't in the plan, but due to a very sudden and devastating family situation she can no longer care for them, that flock is made up of: Two silver-laced Wyandottes (roo and hen), one golden comet pullet and a couple of black sexlinks...a very nice flock, absolutely awesome personalities on these birds, she has raised them so well and they are in very good health, etc.

My main goal in keeping the neighbors chickens is just for their eggs and to spare her the guilt and sadness of seeing them culled or sent ot live far away from their mountain home. These will be pet chickens and I will keep them until they die (so long as they are in good health). The one Roo of the flock may have to "go the way of the pot" if I can't keep him separated from the Dorkings, I don't want him to compromise the integrity of my breeding stock! The White Dorkings are to be my working flock I will keep them for meat and eggs...I have decided to enter into my local farm community;s effort to protect this ancient heritage breed and am very excited to run a breeding program to keep this line of excellent dual purpose birds going strong in my neck of the woods. That being said...I need a little help. I need a really really good book or two to be my "go to" book for questions about breeding, healthcare and everything in between. I get a LOT of great information here at BYC...but I need a good reference book.

I would love if you all would recommend to me a "chicken bible" - I have a few little books about runs, etc...but most of my reading about actual care and flock management, comes from interweb reading! I am a book lover and while the interwebs have given me great info, would love to have a book to curl up with while the kids are sleeping...you know what I mean!

So....if you could tell me:

1. The one book you would recommend for a beginner about chicken health and management.

2. The one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out who has years of experience running a farm...but all in the past as a kid/teen. Like...the one single greatest piece of advice you would give to someone...that thing you wish you'd known before you started out!

Thank you so much...I know it's been said a million times, but this website is the best darn site around....I have spent months and months lurking...finally made an account and can't wait to get to know people better and live and learn that chicken life you are all so fond of!
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I haven't gone thru the books, but Backyard Poultry magazine has given me TONS of valuable info, & I've raised chickens for decades. I can't tell you how awesome this mag. is. I highly recommend getting yourself a subscription. The most valuable piece of info I have learned, since I'm in the middle of the woods, a Night Guard (red flashing light) is a must! You will learn loads here on BYC too.
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Thanks for the mag tip! THat's great! And the red light is a great tip...should it just be a flashing red light...or should I screw out the white floodlight in my motion detecting light and put in the red bulb??

Thank you very much..and yes, there is a BOAT LOAD of info on these boards!!
 
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow is my choice!

and when building... make it BIG! You will always want more!!

Good Luck!
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The Night Guard is a solar charged LED light that flashes about twice a second. It represents the reflection of a predators eye. I was loosing about 3 hens a week to predators, & I was at wits end as to what to do, & saw it advertized in the back of a poultry mag. It's been over a year since I got it, & the only ones I have lost are a couple of Bantys to the hawks.
 
Ditto what harewizard said..."Storey's Guide to Raising Backyard Chickens " by Gail Damerow. Good timing on your part, too, because this month a new edition was published. I was in a bookstore last night (closest one about 60 miles from me) and looked at the brand spanking new edition (4th Edition, Feb 2010). I *almost* bought a copy of it, but I have the previous edition and a stack of other books so I used some restraint.
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There's a lot of the old information in the new edition but looks to be a *lot* of new information included. Who knows...I might just have to pick up a copy anyhow.
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My tip would be to pay good attention to both the chickens constitution and their environment...that will help you detect any problems when they begin rather than when the problem is full blown.

Best wishes,
Ed
 
Congrats on your new family. I have purchased every book at my local TSC, including some that had I actually read the covers I would have realized they are written and published in the UK. . . not a big deal but not all info/breeds apply here in the states. The easiest, quickest reference and best info has come from the BYC for Dummies book. If I need a quick answer, or backup to some "bird-brained" idea about the coop, it acts as an easy to find info source. Not just 'cause we love the website, but, buy it to support our "addiction", plus get a free membership to the Golden Feather. Way Cool!!

Hope for Spring!!!
 
...A brand spanking new Stoney's Guide??
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Could there actually be more info...
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Thanks Ed! Getting dressed and heading to my local bookstore!!
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You might give The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow a try, if you're just wanting something on health/disease. I'm certainly no expert, but I have common sense...lol. My advice would be to take time to really observe and get to know your chickens. Not only does it allow you to appreciate them more, but you learn to notice the little things that could be early indicators of a problem.

Oh...and
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from Indiana!
 
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Yes, MORE INFORMATION!!! HURRY!!! THERE WAS A HUGE LINE IN THE "PETS" SECTION AND FIGHTS BREAKING OUT BETWEEN FOLKS GRABBING THEM OFF THE SHELVES!!! THE NATIONAL GUARD WAS THERE TRYING TO CONTROL THE MOB!!! HURRY HURRY!!!!!!!
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But, uh, yeah there's more info.
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For instance, the little coop description and layout in the beginning of the book (the same one that's in the mini-booklet) is still there but they've added a larger coop layout. Also, some added "lists" of different kinds. Etc.,.

Like I said...I might have to end up buying one myself.
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Ed
 

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