Best Chicken books.

[marimbarooster]

What are the best books on raising chickens? I would like one comprehensive books that covers all aspects of chicken raising. Opinions please. Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

The one everyone should have is Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. Then, the Chicken Health Handbook, both by Gail Damerow.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

Yup i'd say Storey's guide to raising chickens (or poultry depending on what your getting) And i also have this book called Avoid the Vet , but im not sure who the author is (i got it at tractor supply company)

 

[LaSombra]

I checked out Storey's Guide from the library. It's been SO useful! I just went back and renewed cause I didn't want to be without it. I really ought to just buy my own. I will... I can't keep checking it out and keeping others from being able to read it.

 

[sangel4you]

HEY! Rancher and I have been PMing about good childrens books all week! especially ones with Chickens!!!! I was just thinking tonight after I read the PM that we should really start a thread about this! And wow....here it is!...not trying to hijack your thread- I can always start another one about childrens books in general

 

[caralouise1974]

Either 'The Chicken Health Handbook' (Damerow) or 'Diseases of Free Range Poultry' (Roberts). Both indispensible.

 

[rancher hicks]

What I did when I started was to go on-line to the public library web site and check out every book on Poultry or chickens. If it was about chickens I checked it out. I even checked out "Chicken Run". Yeah I know it's for kids but I'm only old on the outside.
Anyhow every book has something different and gives you a "cafeteria" style of information. No book can cover it all.
There was one book by someone who had just three hens. Others on the business side of things. Not necessarily something I'd be into. Remember it's our small back yard flocks they're looking to when trying to find Heritage birds.
As for diseases, keep in mind that big chicken farms are more prone to certain diseases than small back yard flocks. You'll learn why if you subscribe to Back Yard Poulty or Hobby Farms. For $15 - $20 a year they're a good deal. I recycle to my chicken friends at church.
Don't forget used books on line or used book stores. What one book doesn't cover the others may.
If I had to choose one book? I'd have to check them all out again. Ok I will.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Keep Chickens! by Barbara Kilarski is the book by the author with just 3 hens in her backyard. It's a great book for beginners since it covers the basic essentials of chicken care, especially for the small-scale hobbyist, without being overwhelming.

Living With Chickens by Jay Rossier is another good book for the beginning hobbyist. It's also filled with beautiful photo portraits of chickens. And it includes a chapter on butchering, if you're curious about trying that.

 

[Me + Peeps]

The book that helped me the most is The Complete Encyclopedia of Chickens by Esther Verhoeff