Recommendations for hen keeping book please?

[vixfinn]

Can anyone recommend a really good book that covers virtually everything from housing to feeding. I'm a complete amateur and want to swot up as much as possible before I finish building the coop and get the ladies. I've been told I'm hogging the computer and family are demanding I get said book. It would save me hours of eyestrain!

[Bramble-Poultry]

This book is great if you want to rear chickens for eggs or even meat. covers from the egg, through hatch right up to the end....

Raising Chickens for Eggs and Meat by Mike Woolnough

[vixfinn]

Thankyou, it has very good reviews too. I think I should treat myself to this one, seems to cover everything chickenwise. Does it have any info on dimensions etc of nesting boxes and general housing needs?

[Suechooks]

Starting with chickens by Katie Thear is brilliant too. Simple info with pictures and suggestions of suppliers etc. I keep it to hand all the time and have loaned it out so many times it's getting quite worn!

[RichmondHens]

I recommend Diseases of Free Range Poultry, by Victoria Roberts.

[Bramble-Poultry]

Sue - I like Katie Thears books too, and I say they have been useful on more than one occasion, we have many chicken keeping books (strange that!) and it really is hard to pick one that covers all!

Richmond - that is a very good book and we have a copy, not really a book to help someone start out and learn about keeping chickens though and certainly not required for the small back yard keeper or ametur - you have a problem with an ill chook - take it to the vet!

[Pumpkin Becki]

I really like the katie Thear book too, and I also really like 'Keeping a Few Hens in Your Garden' and 'The Big Book of Garden Hens' by Francine Raymond.

Amazon.co.uk: francine Raymond: Books

[vixfinn]

Thanks for those, looks like I'll be getting quite a few! Amazon here I come!!!

[RichmondHens]

Richmond - that is a very good book and we have a copy, not really a book to help someone start out and learn about keeping chickens though and certainly not required for the small back yard keeper or ametur - you have a problem with an ill chook - take it to the vet!

I'll consider my wrist slapped then!

Seriously though, it does help people identify common problems, and whether to take the chook to the vet or not. How many times on here have you seen a thread start ...."What's wrong with my chicken" or similar?

I agree it's not a how to start with chickens book, but still a useful addition to the bookshelf.

[vixfinn]

Thanks all for your help, I have ordered these, a good selection and plenty of revision for me pre-hens!:

"Keeping a Few Hens in Your Garden"
Francine Raymond; Paperback; £4.49

"Attila the Hen: The Eggstrodinary Story of an Eggceptional Battery Chicken"
Paddy Mounter; Hardcover; £6.95 (for the kids)!

"Building Chicken Coops"
Gail Damerow; Paperback; £2.00

"Raising Chickens for Eggs and Meat"
Mike Woolnough; Paperback; £8.21

"Starting with Chickens"
Katie Thear; Paperback; £2.01

[Pumpkin Becki]

That'll give you some excellent bedtime reading vixfinn - enjoy!!

[Bramble-Poultry]

I'll consider my wrist slapped then!

Sally I thought you'd consider it a compliment that I don't think of you as an amatur backyard keeper!!

[Jardiniere]

i have two books called
Poultry House Construction
and
The Smallholders DIY
both by Michael Roberts
The Gold Cockerel Series
Using info from both we were able to build a roosting box and a nesting box from ply and other found items of wood..
photos not brilliant but you get the idea - roost box is suitable for about 6 chooks

[vixfinn]

Thanks Jardiniere, the DIY part is the most daunting!!

[knappers]

Just starting the chook thing myself and have several books, the best by far is the 'Haynes manual to chickens'. Very comprehensive and informative. My next problem is finding somewhere to buy POL chickens in my area!