Chicken Keeping - Book Recommendations
With the increasing popularity of backyard chicken keeping there are now so many more books appearing on the market to choose from. This list is by no means exhaustive but a list of the books I like to bring along to all of my workshops for perusal.
Many of the books listed below can also be found on the backyardchickens.com website in their online book store. All in one very handy location with great reviews.
Also listed are magazines which are worth their weight in gold with good advice. They are definitely worth hunting down and subscribing to.
Synopsis below are from Amazon.com
Many of the books listed below can also be found on the backyardchickens.com website in their online book store. All in one very handy location with great reviews.
Also listed are magazines which are worth their weight in gold with good advice. They are definitely worth hunting down and subscribing to.
Synopsis below are from Amazon.com
BOOKS

Keeping Chickens
by Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis
Keeping chickens is a popular and growing pastime, so find out all you need to know in this must-have book. * Covers everything from egg-laying to ease of keeping for over 70 different breeds * Discover how to set up and maintain a healthy hen house to keep your chickens warm, dry and safe from predators * Practical advice on hygiene, disease and healthcare ensures that your flock is always in pristine show condition * Learn about broody birds and egg incubation, and rear a new generation of chicks to brighten up your garden "Whether you plan to keep chickens for eggs or meat, this practical guide covers all the issues you need to consider first." Devon Life
View on Amazon.com
by Jeremy Hobson and Celia Lewis
Keeping chickens is a popular and growing pastime, so find out all you need to know in this must-have book. * Covers everything from egg-laying to ease of keeping for over 70 different breeds * Discover how to set up and maintain a healthy hen house to keep your chickens warm, dry and safe from predators * Practical advice on hygiene, disease and healthcare ensures that your flock is always in pristine show condition * Learn about broody birds and egg incubation, and rear a new generation of chicks to brighten up your garden "Whether you plan to keep chickens for eggs or meat, this practical guide covers all the issues you need to consider first." Devon Life
View on Amazon.com

Jackie French's Chook Book
by Jackie French (Australian)
Use this book, and you will love chickens too: love to keep them, scratching about in your own backyard; love to eat them, prepared from one of Jackie's many mouth-watering chicken-and-egg recipes. This completely revised edition's sections on poultry keeping and management have been greatly expanded, and are now illustrated with almost 100 full-colour photographs. It is bigger, better and always in demand.
View on Amazon.com
by Jackie French (Australian)
Use this book, and you will love chickens too: love to keep them, scratching about in your own backyard; love to eat them, prepared from one of Jackie's many mouth-watering chicken-and-egg recipes. This completely revised edition's sections on poultry keeping and management have been greatly expanded, and are now illustrated with almost 100 full-colour photographs. It is bigger, better and always in demand.
View on Amazon.com

Fresh Eggs Daily
by Lisa Steele
More than ever, Americans care about the quality and safety of the food they eat. They're bringing back an American tradition: raising their own backyard chickens for eggs and companionship. And they care about the quality of life of their chickens. Fresh Eggs Daily is an authoritative, accessible guide to coops, nesting boxes, runs, feed, and natural health care with time-tested remedies. The author promotes the benefits of keeping chickens happy and well-occupied, and in optimal health, free of chemicals and antibiotics. She emphasizes the therapeutic value of herbs and natural supplements to maintaining a healthy environment for your chickens. Includes many "recipes" and 8 easy DIY projects for the coop and run. Full color photos throughout.
MY NOTE: If you are interested in using herbs for your chickens health, this is the book for you.
View on Amazon.com
by Lisa Steele
More than ever, Americans care about the quality and safety of the food they eat. They're bringing back an American tradition: raising their own backyard chickens for eggs and companionship. And they care about the quality of life of their chickens. Fresh Eggs Daily is an authoritative, accessible guide to coops, nesting boxes, runs, feed, and natural health care with time-tested remedies. The author promotes the benefits of keeping chickens happy and well-occupied, and in optimal health, free of chemicals and antibiotics. She emphasizes the therapeutic value of herbs and natural supplements to maintaining a healthy environment for your chickens. Includes many "recipes" and 8 easy DIY projects for the coop and run. Full color photos throughout.
MY NOTE: If you are interested in using herbs for your chickens health, this is the book for you.
View on Amazon.com

Raising Chickens for Dummies
by Kimberly Willis and Rob Ludlow (from backyardchickens.com)
Practical how-to advice for raising chickens in virtually any backyard! Raising chickens on a small scale is a popular-and growing-pastime. And Raising Chickens For Dummies provides an up-to-date, thorough introduction to all aspects of caring for chickens, including choosing and purchasing chickens, constructing housing, and proper feeding. Raising Chickens For Dummies provides authoritative, detailed information to make raising chickens for eggs, meat, or backyard entertainment that much easier.
View on Amazon.com
by Kimberly Willis and Rob Ludlow (from backyardchickens.com)
Practical how-to advice for raising chickens in virtually any backyard! Raising chickens on a small scale is a popular-and growing-pastime. And Raising Chickens For Dummies provides an up-to-date, thorough introduction to all aspects of caring for chickens, including choosing and purchasing chickens, constructing housing, and proper feeding. Raising Chickens For Dummies provides authoritative, detailed information to make raising chickens for eggs, meat, or backyard entertainment that much easier.
View on Amazon.com

Chicken Health for Dummies
by Julie Gauthier & Rob Ludlow (from backyardchickens.com)
Everything you need to care for and keep happy, healthy chickens With directives on diagnosing and treating sick or ailing chickens, as well as general information on how to keep chickens in peak condition, Chicken Health For Dummies is your go-to guide on how to best care for and keep chickens. Inside, you'll get everything you need to know about chicken health and wellness: an encyclopedia full of common and not-so-common diseases, injuries, symptoms, and cures that chicken owners may encounter. Chicken Health For Dummies provides chicken owners with one handy, all-encompassing resource. Helps you identify potential hazards and signs of ill health in your chicken Shows you how to properly examine chickens to identify and isolate potential health issues before they spread to the rest of the flock An encyclopedia full of common and uncommon diseases, injuries, symptoms, and cures for chickens Chicken Health For Dummies joins Raising Chickens For Dummies and Building Chickens Coops For Dummies to round out the For Dummies reference library as a must-have resource for both rural and urban chicken owners.
View on Amazon.com
by Julie Gauthier & Rob Ludlow (from backyardchickens.com)
Everything you need to care for and keep happy, healthy chickens With directives on diagnosing and treating sick or ailing chickens, as well as general information on how to keep chickens in peak condition, Chicken Health For Dummies is your go-to guide on how to best care for and keep chickens. Inside, you'll get everything you need to know about chicken health and wellness: an encyclopedia full of common and not-so-common diseases, injuries, symptoms, and cures that chicken owners may encounter. Chicken Health For Dummies provides chicken owners with one handy, all-encompassing resource. Helps you identify potential hazards and signs of ill health in your chicken Shows you how to properly examine chickens to identify and isolate potential health issues before they spread to the rest of the flock An encyclopedia full of common and uncommon diseases, injuries, symptoms, and cures for chickens Chicken Health For Dummies joins Raising Chickens For Dummies and Building Chickens Coops For Dummies to round out the For Dummies reference library as a must-have resource for both rural and urban chicken owners.
View on Amazon.com

Free-Range Chicken Gardens
by Jessi Bloom
Many gardeners fear chickens will peck away at their landscape, and chicken lovers often shy away from gardening for the same reason. But you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! Fresh eggs aren't the only benefit — chickens can actually help your garden grow and thrive, even as your garden does the same for your chickens.
In this essential handbook, award-winning garden designer Jessi Bloom covers everything a gardener needs to know, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running.
View on Amazon.com
by Jessi Bloom
Many gardeners fear chickens will peck away at their landscape, and chicken lovers often shy away from gardening for the same reason. But you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! Fresh eggs aren't the only benefit — chickens can actually help your garden grow and thrive, even as your garden does the same for your chickens.
In this essential handbook, award-winning garden designer Jessi Bloom covers everything a gardener needs to know, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running.
View on Amazon.com

Backyard Chickens - A Guide for Beginners
by Michelle Templin
Fresh golden yolk eggs in ready supply, organic fertilizer for the vegetable garden-what's not to love about keeping backyard chickens? This handbook covers all you need to know to get started raising your very own flock of chickens.
View on Amazon.com
by Michelle Templin
Fresh golden yolk eggs in ready supply, organic fertilizer for the vegetable garden-what's not to love about keeping backyard chickens? This handbook covers all you need to know to get started raising your very own flock of chickens.
View on Amazon.com
Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens
by Gail Damerow Here is all the information you need to successfully raise chickens — from choosing breeds and hatching chicks to building coops, keeping the birds healthy, and protecting them from predators. This revised third edition contains a new chapter on training chickens and understanding their intelligence, expanded coverage of hobby farming, and up-to-date information on chicken health issues, including avian influenza and fowl first aid. View on Amazon.com |
MAGAZINES

Australasian Poultry Magazine
Available Australia wide at your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
iSubscribe
Booktopia
Available Australia wide at your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
iSubscribe
Booktopia

Your Chickens
Order online for your print or digital copy, month by month or yearly.
MY NOTES: One of my very favourite magazines. Worth trying a single month's copy.
For Subscriptions:
BuyAMag.co.uk
Order online for your print or digital copy, month by month or yearly.
MY NOTES: One of my very favourite magazines. Worth trying a single month's copy.
For Subscriptions:
BuyAMag.co.uk

Chickens (From Hobby Farms)
Available Australia wide from your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
HobbyFarms.com
Available Australia wide from your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
HobbyFarms.com

Organic Gardener - Essential Guide
Annual publication available Australia wide at your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
iSubscribe
Annual publication available Australia wide at your local newsagent.
For Subscriptions:
iSubscribe