This is the chicken handbook that should be on every chicken keeper's shelf. Pam Freeman did a wonderful job of tackling the tough subjects. And she did it while making the book appealing to the eye! The photos are beautiful, and I do have a soft spot for gorgeous chicken photography!. After you get past drooling over the pretty pictures, the book is full of meaty information that we all had to learn as we traveled the backyard chicken journey. I appreciate how Pam tackled the tough questions, and the unpleasant topics such as illness and predators. As a chicken keeper, writer and blogger, we do get these sad questions frequently. Now there is a book that has up to date, realistic information that can help the chicken keeper work through a problem or health issue. The in depth review of predator behavior is so helpful when you are deciding if you should free range your flock or keep them in a run attached to the coop.
Being a keeper of multiple roosters in our flock, I loved reading the chapter on roosters. Their care, behavior, and the nitty gritty facts of chicken mating are covered here. Don't miss the interesting information on what characteristics are found attractive by a hen! Your roosters may enjoy hearing what makes them more attractive to the ladies!
Lastly, I must mention and area near and dear to my heart. I am so glad that Pam covered the natural feeding and use of herbs subject in the book. I am always looking for more resources in this area.
I highly recommend the book to you; I will be honest and say that although I bought my copy and am doing this review without being requested to do so, I do personally know Pam and consider her a fine editor and writer. I think you will agree with me after you read Backyard Chickens - Beyond the Basics.
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From the Publisher
Chapter 2: Flock Behavior
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When a chicken preens you’ll see it twist its head and neck to reach the preen gland. It will take oil from the gland and spread it through its feathers to clean them and help with waterproofing. |
Dust bathing keeps a chicken clean and is a great time to observe social order in the flock. This rooster dust bathes after his hens have already had a turn. Quite the gentleman! |
Sunbathing, even on the hottest days, can be relaxing—but it also serves a larger purpose. The heat from the sun encourages parasites to move to spots where they are more easily reached by the chicken. |
Q&A: Al l About Eggs
How should my eggs be stored in the carton?
It’s important to store your eggs with the large end up, pointy end down. By doing this, your egg will stay fresher longer because less moisture will be lost since the air sac is located on the large end. If you’re storing hatching eggs, they must be stored with the large end up so the air sac stays in place.
How long do eggs stay good in the refrigerator?
Properly stored and refrigerated eggs rarely spoil. Over time, they will actually dry up. But with that said, a rule of thumb is that eggs can stay good up to 100 days in the refrigerator.
If I add a rooster to my flock, how long will it take for me to get fertilized eggs?
Technically it takes only two days before a hen will start laying fertilized eggs after being introduced to a rooster. Realistically, it may take your rooster some time to mate with each hen so a good rule of thumb is about a week after adding a rooster, you’ll have fertilized eggs.
Tip(s)
- With some exceptions, you can generally tell what color egg a chicken will lay by looking at its earlobes. White lobes equal white eggs.
- For really dirty eggs, I don’t like to store them, and I don’t like to wash them. So, I feed them to my dog and even to my chickens. I usually cook them immediately and feed them scrambled. They are a great source of nutrition for my animals, and they leave my dog’s coat shiny and healthy.
Chapter 6: Predators - What's Out There?
The first step in dealing with predators is to know what you might face. Predators can be broken down into three groups: flying predators, ground-dwelling predators, and domestic predators. While there are predators that are pretty much universal throughout the United States, there are also regional predators. If you’re not familiar with your wildlife, it’s a good idea to talk with local chicken keepers or your extension agency to determine the biggest threats near your home. Then get to know more about those animals and their habits. Once you’re armed with this information, you can work smarter, not harder, to be effective in your protection efforts.
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Amazon カスタマー
Easy to understand and covers many areas.
Reviewed in Japan on June 16, 2018