Living with Chickens: Everything You Need To Know To Raise Your Own Backyard Flock

"In this charming book, the authors provide a nice overview of the basics of poultry keeping for those new to the hobby. Beautiful color photographs throughout demonstrate the appeal of chickens, adding to the value of this nice primer on backyard chicken keeping." --Booklist "LIVING WITH CHICKENS will help birds and their owners live in harmony and health. Rossier's easy-going style will be welcomed by both new and experienced poultry owners." --Stephen Green-Armytage, EXTRAORDINARY CHICKENS

Chickens-why not? Tens of thousands of people in all areas of the country enjoy raising these birds, whether for food or companionship. You can, too, with this indispensable guide. Then again, you may want to read Living With Chickens just for the sheer joy of it. Straightforward prose and dozens of clear, detailed illustrations gives any future chicken farmer the tools he needs to get started, from step-by-step instructions on building the coop to a brief background on chicken biology ("gizzard talk"); from hints on getting high-quality eggs from the hens, to methods for butchering. Vermonter Jay Rossier draws on his own experiences and those of his fellow poultrymen in discussing how to keep marauders from the chicken coop, the benefits of homemade grain versus commercial, and how to live (and sleep) with a rooster in your midst. Personal anecdotes, interesting facts, and lush, full-color photographs of the birds and their landscape round out this comprehensive book.