Recommended reading

[Elinor's chicks]

There might already be a thread about this, but I didn't see one.

Does anyone have any particular recommendations on valuable reading for the new chicken owner something that chicken owners regard as their 'bible' when it comes to raising chickens?

I have "Living with Chickens" by Jay Rossier and "Hobby Farm Chickens" by Sue Weaver, and they are both pretty good.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

In my opinion you're set. 2 books and BYC is all you need. You may find like I did, that some of the advice in books differs from BYC people, and the BYC people here are always right! Not joking, I have the Storeys guide to raising chickens... While most of it is excellent information, it has a super bad suggestion to mix grower feed 50/50 with oats while pullets are growing. I did that and then learned from a wise BYC'er that it's like mixing veggies with candy for your toddler and then wondering why they are picking throught the veggies to eat only candy! HAH, I always refered to BYC for a 2nd opinion on whatever I read in the book after that one. GOOD LUCK< HAVE FUN!

 

[kathyinmo]

The Chicken Health Handbook, by Gail Damerow.
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, by Gail Damerow.

 

[CMV]

Come on everyone! What should have been top on the list?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-for-dummies.php

 

[canada-goose]

Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens is the best followed very closely by Raising Chickens for Dummies and Backyard Poultry magazine. BYC is the best place though.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

"The Complete Encyclopedia of Chickens" by Esther Verhoef/Aad Rijs

VERY good book. Has detailed colored pictures of chicken breeds and gives advice on how to raise chickens.

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
Yeah! That's another good one!

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree. Anyone who decides to raise chickens should read these books first.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Backyard Poultry Magazine has been very helpful for me.

Gail Damerow of Storey's Guide fame often writes articles for it, so I tend to think of it as "updates" for the chicken bible.

Harvey Ussery's articles are interesting but are getting too preachy

 

[vtara16]

THIS WAY KEY FOR ME! I am also new. After reading this front to back, I was able to start my own BYC adventure. I also asked ALOT of questions on BYC.com
https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-for-dummies.php