Read more
Give Your Chickens a Leg Up
From backyard chicken specialists Robert and Hannah Litt comes this info-packed manual that goes beyond the basics. Drawing on years of experience, the Litts address how to keep flocks healthy and happy, including organic health remedies and disease prevention, pest management, organic nutrition, and the best breeds for specific needs. They also cover introducing new chickens to an established flock, handling aggressive birds, dealing with mature hens, and more.
List of contents
Table of Contents
Birds of a Feather: The Need for Breeds
Best Breeds for the Backyard
Flocking Together: The Growing Brood
Picking Up Chicks: Guidelines for Healthy Brooders
Hen Habitats: Successful Shelters
Siting the Habitat to Avoid Ruffling (Human) Feathers
Room to Roam
Keeping Peace in the Flock
Boredom busters
Hazards of the Traditional Urban Coop, and How to Fix Them
Poultry in Motion
The Need to Feed: Providing Nutrition
Feeding Fundamentals
On the Hunt
The Elements of Nutrition
Feeding Equipment
Feed Storage
Common Feeding Problems and Solutions
Whole Hen Health: Maintaining a Healthy Flock
Chicken Little versus Big Pharma
The Body of Knowledge
Performing a Basic Chicken Exam
Flock Fixers
Treating Hens with Botanicals
Nonbotanical Natural Remedies
Administering Daily Supplements
Mock Diseases
Gastrointestinal Illnesses
Egg-Related Conditions
Respiratory Illnesses
Wounds and Infections
Neurological Conditions
Parasites
End-of-Life Considerations
Blending Your Own Feed
Concentrates
Example Feed Recipe
About the author
Robert and Hannah Litt are the owners of the Urban Farm Store, authors of A Chicken in Every Yard, and experts on keeping backyard chickens. They have been featured on Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, National Public Radio, and Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Summary
A must-have guide for chicken owners looking for deeper information on keeping their flock healthy and happy.
Foreword
A must-have guide for chicken owners looking for deeper information on keeping their flock healthy and happy.
Additional text
“The Litts listen daily to concerns and questions posed by customers seeking the best organic methods for keeping backyard chickens safe and healthy. Now they’ve compiled their proven solutions into this often-entertaining book.” —Gail Damerow, author of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens
“Wealth of advice packed so nicely into one volume. . . . perfect for enterprising chickenistas just starting out and for those with established flocks as well.” —Library Journal starred review
“Everything you need to know about keeping your chickens healthy and preventing diseases through organic food and treatments. The beautiful illustrations that accompany each topic make it a joy to peruse.” —Kenosha News
