Great for overall chicken info!
This is a great book for overall chicken info and requirements. While I was on vacation, my copy grew legs and walked away, so I'm driving 4 hrs today to get another copy (designing a new coop). My neighbor swears she didn't take it, although she stole over 100 eggs for breeding, some chicken magazines, and who knows what else! Apparently, this book is so good, you'll have to keep it in the safe! It does miss some things, as I found out the hard way, so as soon as you are thinking of getting chickens, join a chicken group online (after doing breed research online, to find the right one for you - this book isn't really good for that). This book says to keep the chicks under a light to a certain age, and all they need is commercial feed. That isn't true, and I almost lost all of my chicks. (newbie) They also need time out in the sun and grass, and if their toes are curling, vitamin powder in their water. This book is also written with the typical chicken farmer in mind, NOT a vegetarian who wants them for eggs and pets. I'm still looking for a book like that. I have Dominique chickens, chosen for their friendly disposition and great egg production. They are my family, and I would like a book that tells me the best way to keep them healthy for their entire life (around 15 yrs), not how to just keep them breathing until butchering at 18 mos! If you are thinking of getting chickens, this book is a must have, but even if you only care about the quality of what you are eating, this should not be the only resource you use.
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