The Homesteader’s Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook is the modern homesteader’s guide to raising, feeding, breeding, selling, and enjoying the noblest animal on the farm—the chicken. From the rooster’s crow in the morning, to the warm egg in the nesting box, chickens are the gateway livestock for almost every homesteader and backyard farm enthusiast. In this book, you’ll learn everything you need to know about raising chickens naturally. Fewell guides you in:- understanding why chickens do what they do
- creating your very own poultry or egg business
- preventing and treating ailments with herbal remedies
- setting up your property, coop, and brooder
- hatching chicks
- purchasing chickens properly
- cooking delicious recipes with your farm fresh eggs and poultry.
This is heritage chicken keeping skills 101, with a modern twist. Not only will you gain knowledge about naturally keeping chickens through every stage of their lives, but you’ll fully embrace the joy and ease of raising all-natural chickens on your homestead.
Foreword |
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ix | |
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Introduction |
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xiii | |
PART 1 The New Chicken Keeper |
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xvii | |
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Chapter 1 Chicken History and Terminology |
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1 | (14) |
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Chapter 2 Chicken Characteristics and Breeds |
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15 | (16) |
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PART 2 Hatching, Purchasing, and Raising Chicks |
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31 | (50) |
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Chapter 3 Hatching and Purchasing Chicks |
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33 | (22) |
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Chapter 4 Raising Chicks Naturally |
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55 | (14) |
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Chapter 5 A Broody Hen and Her Chicks |
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69 | (12) |
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PART 3 Raising a Healthy Flock |
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81 | (84) |
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83 | (20) |
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Chapter 7 Coops, Chicken Maintenance, and More |
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103 | (10) |
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Chapter 8 Using Herbs in Feed and on Pasture |
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113 | (16) |
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Chapter 9 Preventing and Treating Common Chicken Health Issues |
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129 | (22) |
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Chapter 10 Herbal Treats and Medicinal Products for Chickens |
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151 | (14) |
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PART 4 Glorious Egg Layers |
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165 | (10) |
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Chapter 11 The Incredible Egg and Egg Layer |
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167 | (8) |
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PART 5 The Chicken Business |
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175 | (16) |
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Chapter 12 The Egg Sale Business |
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177 | (8) |
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Chapter 13 The Chicken Breeding Business |
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185 | (6) |
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PART 6 A Family That Gatherers Together |
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191 | (19) |
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Chapter 11 Involving Your Family on the Farm and in the Kitchen |
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193 | (17) |
Afterword |
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210 | (2) |
Tools and Resources |
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212 | (2) |
Further Learning References |
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214 | (2) |
Index |
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216 | (5) |
About the Author |
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221 | |
Amy Fewell is the author of The Homesteaders Herbal Companion and founder of The Fewell Homestead blog and website (thefewellhomestead.com). Shes a writer, photographer, and the mastermind behind the annual Homesteaders of America conference. She lives in Rixeyville, Virginia.