[looe-looe-belle]

Hello everyone! 

I have one book on hen keeping called "Keeping Pet Chickens" by Johannes Paul and Willaim Windham which I purchased on ebay.

I must admit its a pretty book, with lots of colour photos etc - but not very helpful.

Does anyone know of a really, really good book which contains everything I need to know...or...should I not rely soley on one book...but have several?

Any replies would be appreciated.

Many thanks!

P.S. ....or maybe, I could learn everything I need to know on this site? 

[GrannieAnnie]

You can certainly learn all you need to know on this site Looe Looe   but Katie Thear's chickeny books are pretty good and some of our members have bought the new Haynes Chicken Manual!  (Yes, Haynes!  Really!  They don't just do cars now! ) and say it is very good!

[looe-looe-belle]

so where do I get these books from? are they available on this site? or do you think ebay would have them?

[carolbriar]

Haynes chicken manual - its the first book I head for if I want information.  Purchased on amazon.co.uk. 

[Kelloggs]

 The complete encyclopedia of chickens is a good one to have , lots of info on all breeds as well as the general info you will need too;)

[looe-looe-belle]

Thats brilliant! - thanks for all your help...its just that the book I have doesnt contain much info!

[Jeanette]

If you are like me,you will start out with one book and end up with lots.

[looe-looe-belle]

so all a bit like my cookery books!! started off with 1...and now have loads and loads!!! 

I suppose though, that no two authors are alike so some books may have better tips etc than another and some may have better info on different subjects.

[ehs284]

Haynes is good. Probably the easiest alternative is to Google and bookmark poultry sites; most have a search. Between the two (book and website) you'll be able to sort out any queries. Avoid old material - it might have been great in 1950 but... and anecdotes are fun to read, but not what you want when worrying.

[looe-looe-belle]

  OK EHS284 sounds all good!! - Many thanks!! 

[hillfooter]

The Haynes Manual is great if you need to change your big hens, otherwise:

Starting With Chickens -  Katie Thear – ISBN 10P: 0906137276 a ‘standard text’ simple guide for beginners, often included in ‘starter kits’.
The Chicken Health Handbook – Gail Damerow – ISBN-10: 0882666118 – good on diagnosis and for reference but light on practical treatments the average enthusiast could use, and definitely not for the hypochondriacs. Written for the American market so reflects US practice.
Keeping Chickens: The Essential Guide to Enjoying and Getting the Best from Chickens -
Jeremy Hobson & Celia Lewis - ISBN-10: 0715325671
The Right Way to Keep Chickens  - Virginia Shirt - ISBN-10: 0716030187
The Domestic Fowl Trust produce several useful slim paper backs in the golden cockerel series.
Armytage Extraordinary Chickens – Stephen Green-Armytage - ISBN-10: 0810990652 (paperback also in hardback).  A ‘Vogue’ pin up style book of fantastic photographs of chickens from around the world.  The ultimate chicken fanciers coffee table book.

The above is a very short list and a more comprehensive list I can’t improve on can be found on the Wernlas Collection website (www.wernlas.com).

If you are concerned that you are becoming a chicken nut read,
"Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance" [Paperback] by Martin Gurdon
and you will realise you aren't alone.  It's the story of one man's experiences starting with chickens.  It's no use as a reference but a good read to be kept on the bedside table for anyone who keeps chickens.

HF