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Backyard Chickens: A Practical Handbook to Raising Chickens
The Backyard Chicken Handbook is an authoritative guide, from a fourth-generation chicken keeper, bringing simple yet practical knowledge which covers all aspects of raising healthy and happy chickens. This handbook selecting the perfect chicken breed, feeding your hens, healthy egg laying, chicken behavior (including bullying) and how-to treat common chicken health issues. The handbook is suited to both first time keepers and veterans by providing varying degrees of detail to keep both readers engaged. Full color photos and illustrations throughout provide specific examples of chicken anatomy, health and behavior.
- GenresGuides
123 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2018
472 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 7, 2021
My Chickens Are Happier
I have started using the information from this book and my chickens are happier and easier to work with. There’s good information in this book and it is presented in a way that is easy to digest and put to use.
I have started using the information from this book and my chickens are happier and easier to work with. There’s good information in this book and it is presented in a way that is easy to digest and put to use.
January 29, 2022
Grateful for the book! It seems to cover all the basics and I feel more prepared to start a flock
April 25, 2020
I am very grateful this book was available through Kindle Unlimited because I needed to learn everything I could before our chicks hatched. So much of what I learned came in handy while we welcomed our first flock home.
A caution regarding feeding, though; while I do not believe that all chickens will suffer from eating healthy fruits and vegetables, we have found that ours suffer runnier droppings than if they are kept to their feed and what they forage while outside.
I would also caution against using plastic bins for brooding. Without cutting ventilation windows into the sides (and then adding screens or hardware cloth, chicks don't get enough fresh air this way. They are more likely to develop health problems, like coccidiosis, no matter how clean the brooder is kept.
Plenty of strengths, though, such as how Woods explains safe ways for children to interact with chicks. her caution about using folk remedies, the FAQ chapter, and clear explanations and information regarding life stages and health. I definitely recommend this book for anyone considering keeping chickens, as well as for those who are struggling to keep a healthy flock going. Reading the entire book will not take a great deal of time, but will educate and prepare chicken keepers to do the best they can for their birds.
A caution regarding feeding, though; while I do not believe that all chickens will suffer from eating healthy fruits and vegetables, we have found that ours suffer runnier droppings than if they are kept to their feed and what they forage while outside.
I would also caution against using plastic bins for brooding. Without cutting ventilation windows into the sides (and then adding screens or hardware cloth, chicks don't get enough fresh air this way. They are more likely to develop health problems, like coccidiosis, no matter how clean the brooder is kept.
Plenty of strengths, though, such as how Woods explains safe ways for children to interact with chicks. her caution about using folk remedies, the FAQ chapter, and clear explanations and information regarding life stages and health. I definitely recommend this book for anyone considering keeping chickens, as well as for those who are struggling to keep a healthy flock going. Reading the entire book will not take a great deal of time, but will educate and prepare chicken keepers to do the best they can for their birds.
August 24, 2020
Fantastic!
This book is GOLDEN if you're trying to raise your own chickens. Whether you're experienced as I am and just need a refresher, or you're a novice and need too have whiting explained, this book does so in plain English! Very easy to understand and good, no nonsense advice on how to get started and keep going.
Especially in this time of pandemic when it seems everything was out of stock-it makes so much sense for everyone to keep a few chickens. They are SO easy to keep and require so very little to keep them happy and healthy. You don't have to have a large yard or a rooster either. Just a little grassy area, protection from predators, etc which she spells out plainly in her book.
This book is GOLDEN if you're trying to raise your own chickens. Whether you're experienced as I am and just need a refresher, or you're a novice and need too have whiting explained, this book does so in plain English! Very easy to understand and good, no nonsense advice on how to get started and keep going.
Especially in this time of pandemic when it seems everything was out of stock-it makes so much sense for everyone to keep a few chickens. They are SO easy to keep and require so very little to keep them happy and healthy. You don't have to have a large yard or a rooster either. Just a little grassy area, protection from predators, etc which she spells out plainly in her book.
July 6, 2020
I'd give this book 20 stars if possible
I have purchased and read my Amazon "free" in embarrassing numbers and found a lack of intelligence pervades. Did no one with knowledge and even a modicum of writing ability raise chickens? Seriously, I was starting to worry. But then I found this book. It is incredibly easy to read, factual and intelligent. Chapers are well constructed and she interjected humor and personal experiences so well... Really an A+ all the way around. Read this, buy it. You need no other. I will be warming my home all of next winter on the garbage I bought before this book.
I have purchased and read my Amazon "free" in embarrassing numbers and found a lack of intelligence pervades. Did no one with knowledge and even a modicum of writing ability raise chickens? Seriously, I was starting to worry. But then I found this book. It is incredibly easy to read, factual and intelligent. Chapers are well constructed and she interjected humor and personal experiences so well... Really an A+ all the way around. Read this, buy it. You need no other. I will be warming my home all of next winter on the garbage I bought before this book.
October 7, 2018
This book is filled with practical, invaluable information for anyone who’s beginning the joy of raising chickens in their own backyard. But it’s not for newbies! It includes great advice that even seasoned owners will appreciate. Clear and concise, it’s a an essential reference for anyone contemplating a backyard chickens flock.
December 21, 2020
Very Helpful info
This was really incredibly helpful information. I kept reading and reading every chapter just to make sure I was learning as much as I can. I have 10 new chickens in the backyard at about 16 weeks and this is just perfect information at the right time to keep them healthy and well. Great writing thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.
This was really incredibly helpful information. I kept reading and reading every chapter just to make sure I was learning as much as I can. I have 10 new chickens in the backyard at about 16 weeks and this is just perfect information at the right time to keep them healthy and well. Great writing thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.
September 15, 2018
Wonderful book
This is a very informative book written in an understandable way. This book is good for new chicken owners or if you have had chickens for years. I highly recommend this book to all who love chickens. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This is a very informative book written in an understandable way. This book is good for new chicken owners or if you have had chickens for years. I highly recommend this book to all who love chickens. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
April 25, 2019
I'm still nervous about getting chickens but I'm now well prepared.
This was very informative ans well written. It was written to educate the novice. You can tell the author loves raising chickens.
This was very informative ans well written. It was written to educate the novice. You can tell the author loves raising chickens.
August 19, 2019
Very informative & knowledgeable.
I have had chickens many years but still like to read about what others have to say. I agreed on every issue & really liked how practical & easy to understand this book was.
I have had chickens many years but still like to read about what others have to say. I agreed on every issue & really liked how practical & easy to understand this book was.
May 25, 2020
Helpful and fun
I am a newbie to growing chickens, this this book was very helpful> orderly information with answers to every question I had or came up. All this.. while really enjoying the reading... thank you!
I am a newbie to growing chickens, this this book was very helpful> orderly information with answers to every question I had or came up. All this.. while really enjoying the reading... thank you!
November 13, 2020
Lots of Helpful Details
This was a good first book for me to read about raising chickens.
The grammar/punctuation was a little poor.
Other than that it was an easy and enjoyable read.
This was a good first book for me to read about raising chickens.
The grammar/punctuation was a little poor.
Other than that it was an easy and enjoyable read.
February 8, 2023
Perfect book for first time chicken owner
Thank you! This is the Perfect book for first time chicken owner. 😍😍😍 Although we don't have snow here in the Philippines, I can still relate to some ideas.
Thank you! This is the Perfect book for first time chicken owner. 😍😍😍 Although we don't have snow here in the Philippines, I can still relate to some ideas.
February 27, 2025
All You want to know about chickens
I've only had a mild interest in raising chickens, but to high cost of eggs. I'm considering it. I have lots of predators in my area, so I would need a very safe coop. Raccoons are not cute and friends, same for any of the weasle family.
I've only had a mild interest in raising chickens, but to high cost of eggs. I'm considering it. I have lots of predators in my area, so I would need a very safe coop. Raccoons are not cute and friends, same for any of the weasle family.
March 7, 2019
Good Book
Good Book
I had so many questions that were answered in this book. I think it is well written and very informational.
Good Book
I had so many questions that were answered in this book. I think it is well written and very informational.
May 6, 2019
Good book!
This was really informative! I'm new to chickens, and I learned a lot from this book. Easy to understand. A definite recommend!
This was really informative! I'm new to chickens, and I learned a lot from this book. Easy to understand. A definite recommend!
November 3, 2019
Good Chicken Information
Great quick read. Easily comprehended, basic information for the beginning chicken owner. Great Information to review for any chicken owner.
Great quick read. Easily comprehended, basic information for the beginning chicken owner. Great Information to review for any chicken owner.
May 5, 2020
Helpful information, I will refer to this book frequently as I learn to care for my chickens! Claire knows her stuff!
June 17, 2020
Good information and tips for beginners and more
July 26, 2020
Very in depth for a Beginner
Very basic to read, a lot of information from diseases to bugs. I really learned a lot from the book
Very basic to read, a lot of information from diseases to bugs. I really learned a lot from the book
December 11, 2020
great book for beginners
great book for beginners on raising chicken! has the basic knowledge you need to know on raising chicks and chickens.
great book for beginners on raising chicken! has the basic knowledge you need to know on raising chicks and chickens.
April 13, 2021
Lots of good information on raising chickens.
December 13, 2021
A really great book
I loved the book,it was useful and full of stuff I didn’t know. I l loved it. Very very helpful
I loved the book,it was useful and full of stuff I didn’t know. I l loved it. Very very helpful
June 24, 2023
Very informative and helpful!
September 3, 2023
Unlimited
For honest Review this has alot of great educational information that will help with knowledge in raising chickens. What a wonderful book.
For honest Review this has alot of great educational information that will help with knowledge in raising chickens. What a wonderful book.
December 28, 2023
After reading this book, I feel better prepared for the backyard chickens that will surely join our menagerie in 2024. Sorry, Jason. 😞
January 10, 2024
Best book I’ve read on chickens for a beginner that doesn’t want to read an entire encyclopedia.
April 29, 2024
Please read
I learned so much about chickens that I didn't even know. I even learned that before I buy them I need to get rid of a plant on my property
I learned so much about chickens that I didn't even know. I even learned that before I buy them I need to get rid of a plant on my property
January 30, 2025
Informative for beginners
Lots of good info in this book for those of us just beginning to handle chickens, but it was also repetitive.
Lots of good info in this book for those of us just beginning to handle chickens, but it was also repetitive.
June 9, 2025
I found it very practical. It has a lot of good information, especially if you are new raising chickens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews