Raising Chickens for Beginners is an accessible and easy to understand guide to succeeding with a backyard flock written and presented by Otis Banks. Released 30th June 2021, it's 146 pages and is available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a very basic, no frills book which is short on glossy photos and unnecessary graphics but which is complete, information dense, and sufficient to get started in poultry keeping. The author presupposes no previous knowledge, and all new terms and concepts are explained well in the text. The chapters progress from first thoughts about keeping backyard chickens, through considerations (legal, local, space, costs, etc), to building coops (no specific plans are included, but there are some photos for inspiration), acquiring a flock, and keeping them healthy and happy.
The book contains a useful links/resources list which, though suited to
a North American audience, is useful to poultry keepers in other
areas. There is also an index after the resources section.
Final verdict, very entertaining and interesting book, well written and
on-topic, and fighting the good fight against misinformation and disappointment. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, and for readers wishing to increase their food security and self-sufficiency. It would also be a good choice for allotment/garden group libraries, activity groups, scouting, and 4-H. The scope of the book is probably too narrow to make it an appropriate choice for smallholders or farmers. It's mostly for suburban/hobby/pet chicken enthusiasts.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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