Jessica Ford - The Backyard Chicken Keepers Bible: Discover Chicken Breeds, Behavior, Coops, Eggs, and More

The rich variety of chicken breeds means there is something for every keeper, from cuddly and affectionate pets to egg layers and broilers.

Even those who are unable to raise a flock of their own will discover, from perusing the wonderful photos and descriptions in this book, the extent to which these endearing birds can inspire and warm hearts. Learning about chickens normalizes the pastime of keeping them, too, enabling backyard flocks to gain increasing acceptance in our communities.

Chicken keepers are as diverse as the breeds of chickens that they have in their care. Beyond multigenerational farmers and homesteaders, chicken keepers today include retirees, young families, and even business executives. Motivations and environment vary widely, proving that all can enjoy their own flock, along with the many benefits that these birds provide.

The traits that made the chicken so adaptable to domestication thousands of years ago are what make the modern bird so compatible with backyard keeping today. Very few animals are able to adapt so well to a life in captivity, in so many different environments, while also catering for such a wide range of needs. These modestly sized creatures are affordable to keep, and their independent, agreeable nature means they require very little attention, yet are still content to cuddle on laps. Theyre also hardy animals, and happiest when living outside with minimal input from their caretakersso long as they have a safe structure to shelter them from the elements. For many households, these reasons are enough to make the chicken a perfect family pet. For those looking for more, chickens are a reliable source of fresh, nutritious food in the form of eggs andfor those interestedhumanely raised meat. With so much to love, its no wonder that chicken keeping is such a fast-growing hobby among urban dwellers.

The Backyard Chicken Keepers Bible is the ideal companion for those interested in joining this revival. Its aimed largely at beginner or aspiring chicken keepers, but it will certainly provide new insights and information for more established keepers, too. Establishing a flock can seem daunting at first, but this book aims to clarify what chickens truly need, along with a few things they dont. Aspiring keepers will find that most of the difficulties involved in caring for chickens come at the preparation stage; once youre established, chickens are in fact among the easiest of animals to care for.

Chickens are truly remarkable. They are far more intelligent and complex than most people realize, and their relationship with humans throughout history has often gone far beyond the role of a simple farm animal. For millennia, we have been drawn to the beauty and the diversity of these birds, as well as their unique behaviors. In this book we explore this rich history, together with detailed descriptions and illustrations of the chickens role in art and culture around the worldfrom depictions on ancient coins and mosaics, to their symbolism in various religious ceremonies.

A wide variety of appearances is one of the chickens most noteworthy attributes. There are hundreds of documented breeds in the world, some of which have bloodlines that date back thousands of years, and they vary greatly in size, color, behavior, and even plumage texture. If you know what it is you need, you will certainly find a breed to suit you. contains fifty-five of the most desirable breeds in the world today. Carefully selected to include those breeds most popular with backyard and beginner keepers in particular, along with some of the most unique breeds for more specific uses, these profiles alone highlight the surprising diversity of the species.

The past few years have been fraught with uncertainty and isolation. Rumors of food shortages, inflation, and other frightening predictions have left many of us feeling stressed and helpless. We are increasingly seeking relief and a deeper sense of belongingand remarkable as it may seem, some have found that they can satisfy both of these needs through the simple act of keeping a small chicken flock. Once considered mainly a source of food, chickens are now providing modern keepers with restoration and a stronger sense of connection in uncertain times. By starting a little chicken farmif only to enjoy the company of these sweet-natured birdswe can improve the lives of our families and our communities.