Product Description

This is a solid, practical, everything-you-need-to-know guide to keeping chickens for people who are as interested in them as pets as they are in eggs and other poultry produce. It reveals how, as well as being useful, chickens are interesting and colourful characters that can enliven any garden. They become very tame and make good companions. It includes chapters on using feathers and eggs in art and craft projects, as well as delicious egg recipes. It fuses contemporary design, imaginative and appealing images and lively, authoritative text to ensure the widest possible interest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6467 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review
From Cotswold Life. This is an excellent introduction to chicken rearing. Even if you do not know your bantams from your Brahmas, keep this to hand, will turn you into an egghead in no time.This is an excellent present for anyone wanting to be at the top of the pecking order and being able to have fresh eggs every day. --Cotswold Life

From Permaculture Issue 52. This book is a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive guide for anyone thinking about keeping chickens. --Permaculture Issue 52

From Shooting Times & Country Magazine . You can t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. Nor, indeed can you enjoy a delicious roast chicken without wringing a few necks. You d be foolish to try either without first consulting Keeping Chickens, however, which is as invaluable a guide for the small flock aficionado as you re likely to find A perfect introduction to the delights of keeping chickens, no one investing in this easy-to-read book should have any fears about what they are getting themselves into. No guarantees ig you happen to be alektorphobic, though. --Shooting Times & Country Magazine

About the Author
Jeremy Hobson is a countryside consultant with a lifetime's background in rural and farming matters of all sorts. This is his third book for David & Charles. He lives in Northern France. Celia Lewis is an artist/craftsperson with a special interest in hens and other domestic birds. She lives in Surrey.

Customer Reviews

Not just a picture book -- gave me all I needed to keep chix in the garden
I was so much more impressed by this book than I thought I would be. I got it as a nice coffee table book, but found out that it is loaded with all the information needed to keep a healthy, happy flock in your garden, whether as pets and enjoyment or for profit.... and gorgeous photos!!

It has a transcontinental flavour (I don't know if the authors are American or British, but the spelling is British and lists of suppliers are provided for both UK & US, etc.) and offers history, breed advice, a very good amount of health and hygiene information, as well as tips on housing and guidelines for feeding, and information on culling and cooking too. Everything you need to make the choice whether or not to have chickens is here -- and I will stress again how lovely the photos are.

Would make a perfect gift for someone you know who is thinking about it and wants some more information and advice.

Good, but could do better.
Nice book with lots of photos. Unfortunately the much of the information with regard to photos did not mention the breed of birds shown. I would have liked to have more detail in the captions. Some of the specific breeds mentioned had no photo at all. I wasn't interested in the chapter on crafts.
My husband preferred this book to "The Right Way to Keep Chickens" by Virginia Shirt because it was easier to absorb and photo's are much better than drawings. He said it was a good book, I am hard to please!

Clucking Eggcellent
I loved this book, it's informative and while conveying the seriousness of caring for stock there's also the fun element which in my view is very important. All the main aspects are covered from housing and cleaning to feeding and breeding and although rich in information its presented in a manner that will not intimidate the novice. The photographs are spectacular and a quick flick through is enough to produce a smile or two ( I didn't realise it possible to have warm and fuzzy feelings about chickens, must watch that !!)

On a more sombre note, I have found myself on a quest to convince the wife of the benefits of chicken rearing and although my chances looked bleak for quite some time I think this book may tip the odds in my favour !!