Backyard Farming: Raising Chickens

The backyard homesteader’s beginner-friendly guide to raising chickens—from planning and hatching to caring for your birds and enjoying their farm-fresh eggs!

Discover how to care for your flock! As a comprehensive primer for first-time chicken farmers, Raising Chickens includes detailed illustrations and informative photographs to ease new homesteaders into the world of backyard chicken farming.

Raising Chickens takes you from start to finish. Inside, you will:

• Find the ideal breed of bird for your needs
• Construct a coop to minimize your workload and maximize your enjoyment
• Gather eggs for food, profit, or to hatch your own birds to grow your flock
• Use the freshest eggs possible in a variety of delicious recipes
• Tips and tricks from experienced farmers on avoiding common mistakes

Raising Chickens is your first big step to joining the growing movement of homemakers and homesteaders looking to make a return to a healthier, happier way of life—and it starts right in your own backyard.Introduction
Meet the Expert
Chapter 1: A Brief History of the Chicken
Chapter 2: Breeds and Types
Chapter 3: Keeping Chickens
Chapter 4: Feeding Your Flock
Chapter 5: Breeding
Chapter 6: Incubation
Chapter 7: Keeping and Culling
Chapter 8: Illness and Disease
Chapter 9: Raising Chickens for Eggs or Meat
Chapter 10: Other Uses for Your Chickens
Chapter 11: Heritage Breeds vs. Commercial-Market Breeds
Chapter 12: Chickens in the City…Again
Final Notes
Recipes
ResourcesKim Pezza grew up among orchards and dairy and beef farms having lived most of her life in the Finger Lakes region. She has raised pigs, poultry and game birds, rabbits and goats, and is experienced in growing herbs and vegetables. In her spare time, Kim also teaches workshops in a variety of areas, from art and simple computers for seniors, to making herb butter, oils, and vinegars. She continues to learn new techniques and skills and is currently looking to turn her grandparents' 1800s farm into a small, working homestead.