The Complete Guide to Raising Chickens

Book excerpt: Properly raised chickens can be a major boon to any household looking to save money on eggs and poultry. A single hen can lay as many as 10 eggs per week, if not coaxed with chemicals or drugs to do more, so providing a family all of the eggs they need. Additionally, eggs can be harvested and sold at farmer s markets or to local supermarkets and poultry can be raised for slaughter to save additional money. Learning what chickens need to survive, from the feed they eat, to the housing they require, and the protection they need from predators is a necessary step for anyone looking to raise them. In this book, you will find a complete guide to understanding how chickens are raised on a small farm, from hatching to egg cultivation, and ultimately slaughter. There is a 16 page colour insert showcasing different breeds as well as general chicken photos. You will learn how to start understanding chickens and their numerous breed types, of which there are more than two hundred. You will learn how to purchase your own chickens and how to effectively handle them. You will learn what kind of housing your chickens need and the proper methods and forms of feeding each breed needs. Details about how to breed chickens for egg production and how to collect and store the eggs form a full chapter on chickens for eggs while additional information is included on how to manage your breeders and hatch eggs for raising your own chicks. Top chicken farms and experts have been interviewed for this book and their expertise and experience has been compiled to form additional sections on maintaining chicken health, the various different seasons and how they affect chicken care and how to raise chickens for meat. Everything you need to know about raising chickens is included in this guide in great detail, the perfect starting place for any new chicken farmer.