Chickens

I bought this book prior to getting chickens for my garden and hoped it would give me a good idea of what i was letting myself in for. It has done this and so much more! The photos are beautiful and the writting style is such an easy read. I have really enjoyed reading it in fact i have read it twice! and i know i will keep refering back to it to help with all my chicken queries. It really does cover everything from setting up your garden to what to do when they are ill and what to do when you go on holiday. The authors personal stories are a lovely addition as they really explain her points well and make you realise that she really does know what she is talking about.

This book was bought to provide an insight into'first time' chicken keeping and to provide a home reference. I was looking for straight forward information, I found it in this book with extras, Joely provided common sense and useful tips on how to deal with daily issues when looking after chickens.The photographs are charming although the diagrams of the anatomy of the chicken were not the best I had viewed in other literature. This is a book that I will continue to use for regular reference and generally 'dipping into' it made me yearn to go out and get my chickens there and then!

I love this book; it is easy to read, set out clearly and the photographs are a delight. It's the sort of book that anyone would pick up and look through if you left it on the coffee table. As a new chicken keeper I found the chapter on care and maintenance really useful and find myself referring to it regularly.The author, Suzie Baldwin obviously loves her girls (and a few boys) with a passion and her enthusiasm is contagious. It takes the fear of the 'will I cope' feelings you get as a new chicken enthusiast. Suzie is so matter of fact about what you need to do and the time you'll have to spend on chores such as cleaning out, feeding and entertaining your brood. It was interesting to read the section on how to entertain your chickens as I have found this is rarely discussed in books but is in my view very important. It takes very little effort, on my part, a broken chair, an old mirror and a trimmed branch from the garden, gives my brood endless enjoyment.My only criticism - I read it the first time in one sitting, less than 2 hours. Several of the subjects are only touched on so you would need more a more detailed read if for example you wanted to breed. I also bought The Right Way to Keep Chickens by Virginia Shirt which is packed full of information but lacking in photographs.I would thoroughly recommend it for those thinking of buying chickens and for new owners.The Right Way to Keep Chickens Suggested additional reading

I bought this because my children wanted to get some chickens as they have some friends that have a few and we can't have pets in the house. This book is very informative. It checks every box. It will take you through everything you need to know from the process of selecting your hens, selecting a coop, pitfalls (red fleas), what you need to know in order to take care of them. After reading this book I decided not to buy any as I certainly don't have the time or energy to dedicate to them. I also live in a green belt area and the last thing I want are foxes foraging under my fence.

This is stand out best book to buy for a beginner planning to keep a few hens for eggs and enjoyment. Reassuring at every stage. Well written and truly informative. I have been dipping in and out of it since buying and have learnt a huge amount that so many helpful others have assumed I would know. Designed to put a new chicken keeper’s mind at rest. I can’t recommend it more highly.

A very informative book, beautifully presented and written by someone who obviously lives for her chickens. As complete novices to the world of keeping chickens my wife and I have found this book to be a delight to read. It not only contains the facts, do's and don'ts, and lessons learnt from years of experience, but also personal stories that really bring the idea of keeping chickens to life. Highly recommended.

Really helpful book, written from a personal perspective. Not much academic theory, if that's what you want then this book maybe isn't for you - it consists of helpful details and advice which are clearly derived from extensive personal experience. If you are considering having chickens, or (as in our case) chicken arrival is/was imminent, and it all feels a bit daunting, then buy and read this book.

Style over substance. I'm not interested in full page pictures of children holding chickens - I'd rather the pictures were smaller and the was more info and advice on keeping chickens. It's a really basic book, which gives little if any in depth detail. The book is aimed at Suburbanites with children, if you're keeping chickens down the allotment then this book isn't for you. The author is very opinionated and the advice she gives is often dubious. For example, she stresses never to let the chickens out unattended in case "Mr Fox" gets them. Sorry but how many people have time to sit in the garden or allotment or field all day guarding the chickens? Not everyone has problems with foxes or other predators. And anyway, what's this "Mr Fox", a fox is a fox, not a "Mr". The author also stresses not to keep two chickens, three is the minimum. Sorry, I have two chickens and they are perfectly ok together.The back spine of the book says "They have already seen their principles of rearing, feeding, and healthcare being adopted throughout the chicken breeder world" Well, talk about delusions of grandeur, many other books go into far more detail about such topics and have whole chapters devoted to feeding - here we get a few paragraphs of very basic info that isn't even enough for beginners.If you're looking for a book that you can dog-ear important pages, underline or highlight paragraphs, and return to time and time again for reference then this book isn't it. If on the other hand you're wanting a book that will look good on your coffee table and has lots of cute pictures then this is it.

Very informative.

As expected.

Lots of practical, down to earth information and lovely photos. Written by someone who knows her chickens I highly recommend.

El libro tiene mucha información y unas fotos preciosas para mí ha sido buena compra

This book is fantastic and I'm learning so much about such an overlooked bird. I think it is helping me bond with the 8 girls we have and I look forward to each and every page gaining knowledge with each one!