How To Raise Chickens: Everything You Need To Know

by Christine Heinrichs

Whichever comes first for you, the chicken or the egg, this book shows you what to do next. In this hands-on, easy-to-use guidebook, longtime chicken breeder and poultry expert Christine Heinrichs tells you everything you need to know to raise chickens in your backyard—from laying out the yard and designing a coop to choosing breeds, caring for chicks, egging, sexing, and butchering. Whether you’re interested in rare breeds or the garden variety; whether you want to show your chickens or serve them, this brightly illustrated, clearly written guide will prove an indispensable resource.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

Reviews

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read 2 books at the same time and they disagree on some basic things like feeding. This was one of those books. While the background is good and there is plenty of information, I need to do more reading to see where other chicken people are.
This book is well-rounded and comprehensive. The first time owner will find much information to get them started.

[McKenna Holloman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish it had more of the incubating, hatching and raising and husbandry and less showing and breeding.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed this book. More in depth information on raising chickens.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much a "getting started" book for folks who are interested in breeding and showing, which I'm not. Nice photos; I'm still very much interested in seeing the different breeds, and the differences between roosters and hens, and allll the different housing possibilities that exist. Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens and Chickens: Tending a Small-scale Flock for Pleasure and Profit were more comprehensive and practical.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the descriptions for how to make movable chicken huts to let them eat bugs in new places in the lawn and spread their own fertilizer without letting it build up gross and thick. It is certainly more about small flocks in the backyard and not about raising them in large farm-style ways. This is a new trend according to the gardening magazines out that are highlighting people's backyard hen houses nestled in cool green gardens.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of information in it, it would make an excellent book to have on hand for reference. As far as a beginner introduction to chickens book, yes it has all the info but may be a little intimidating to some. There are easier to read beginner books out there I would recommend first, and after one decided they were actually going to get chickens, then I would recommend reading this.

[Kinsey Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more of a beginner book that explain how to get started and a very board way on what you can do with your chickens. It included how to pick breeds that are good for your use. Also had very good infomation on building plans, chicken treat recipes, and some do's and don't with chickens. it also has great visual pictures along with every topic.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i should say that I read the 2nd edition, not the first, from 2013 by Voyeur press. I think this is a very good introductory book, head and shoulders above most, with of course some errors that should have been caught on the reprint. Still, because it is so well rounded, with lots of pictures, it is still a solid 4. Recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains some useful info but does not contain "everything you need to know." This may be more useful for serious breeders, not for those of us in urban settings with just a couple backyard chickens.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could it have taken me this long to add my favorite book, the one I wrote myself? Great pictures, information not available elsewhere. Check my site and blog, http://poultrybookstore.com.

[Jen]

Good book - lots of good color pictures - pretty basic knowledge.

[April]

this author is a friend of a friend and I want to read her book!

[Grreenpailmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the beginning backyard chicken owner, very helpful, not too detailed, lots of good information on how to get started with your chicken and egg project.