Chickens from Scratch: Raising Your Own Chickens from Hatch to Egg Laying and Beyond

By Janet Garman

Raising chickens the old-fashioned way will be enjoyable and rewarding once you learn the basics. In Chickens from Scratch you will learn how and where to purchase your chicks, how to house, feed, and care for them, and ultimately enjoy the delicious fresh eggs the chickens will provide for your family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781496964854

Janet Garman

Janet Garman is a farmer and freelance writer in Maryland. A career in writing began after the nest emptied. All the years of studying farm management and raising many species of livestock along with a full house of children led her to begin sharing her experience in a farm theme blog and website, timbercreekfarmer.com. Janet's background includes a degree in large animal farm management and animal science from University of Maryland and decades of farm and homesteading experience. Her other books are 50 DIY Projects for Your Chickens,Chickens from Scratch, Raising Your Own Chickens from Hatch to Egg Laying and Beyond, Habitat Housing for Rabbits, and Margarita and the Beautiful Gifts. She lives in Crownsville, Maryland.

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© 2015 Janet Garman. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/23/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-6484-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-6485-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chickens From Scratch

Bringing Home Chicks

What Breeds of Chickens do You Want?

What to expect when you bring the chicks home

Poopy Butts. (Pasty Butt, Sticky Butt)

Chick Growth and Development.

More on Feather Development

Egg Laying

Egg Color

Introducing your chicks to an existing flock

Water, Food and Shelter

Treats and Snacks

Housing and Shelter

Chicken Behavior and Management

What to do if you get a Rooster?

Sick Chickens

A Few Cautions

Worming

Flying out of the Coop

Bumble Foot

Predators

First Aid Supplies

Chicken Care Notes

This book is

dedicated to my husband Gary. I always knew I would feel at home and at peace while farming. Thank you for sharing that dream and making it become a reality. I love you more than I love the chickens.

Chickens From Scratch is my own work and contains information based on our years of experience in farming and raising chickens and other animals. It is not meant to be an all-inclusive guide to raising chickens, or a veterinary reference. Whenever in doubt, seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian in caring for your animals.

Photo Credit

I need to profusely thank Leigh Schilling Edwards for assisting me with many of the photos in this book. Leigh’s work can be found in many publications and on her website, http://naturalchickenkeeping.com

Art Credit

The hand drawn art was prepared by Jacqui Papi. Thank you Jacqui. It was the perfect addition to my book. Your talent is second only to your kindness and giving nature.

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Chickens From Scratch

Raising your own chickens from hatch to egg laying and beyond

– by Janet Garman

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You have decided to add chicken keeping to your daily adventures. Congratulations! It has been one of