Synopses & Reviews
Got a little space and a hankering for fresh eggs?
Robert and Hannah Litt have dispensed advice to hundreds of urban and suburban chicken-keepers from behind their perch at Portland's Urban Farm Store, and now they're ready to help you go local and sustainable with your own backyard birds. In this handy guide to breeds, feed, coops, and care, the Litts take you under their experienced wing and share the secrets to:
- Picking the breeds that are right for you
- Building a sturdy coop in one weekend for $100
- Raising happy and hearty chicks
- Feeding your flock for optimal health and egg nutrition
- Preventing, identifying, and treating common chicken diseases
- Planning ahead for family, neighborhood, and legal considerations
- Whipping up tasty egg recipes from flan to frittata
With everything that first-timers will need to get started — along with expert tips for seasoned keepers — this colorful, nuts-and-bolts manual proves that keeping chickens is all it's cracked up to be.
About the Author
Robert and Hannah Litt are the founders of the Urban Farm Store in Portland, Oregon. They’ve been featured on Planet Green’s Renovation Nation, National Public Radio, and Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Robert was recently named to Food & Wine magazine’s “40 Big Food Thinkers Under 40.” Visit www.urbanfarmstore.com and www.achickenineveryyard.com.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
Chapter 1
Why Keep Chickens? 1
Chapter 2
Planning: Are We Ready for This? 11
Breeds: Pickin’ Chickens 21
Chapter 4
Chicks: Parenting Your Peeps 43
Chapter 5
Coops and Runs: Building Your Poultry Palace 69
Chapter 6
Adult Chickens: Getting in Touch with Your Inner Farmer 97
Chapter 7
Health Management: Should I Bring a $5 Chicken to the Vet? 131
Chapter 8
Eggs: How to Make Them and Eat Them 165
Resources 190
About the Authors 192
Index 193