There are a few of us chicken bloggers/writers who met years ago and have become the “chicken-ladies of the Northeast.” We keep in touch and each year we meet at the Northeastern Poultry Congress to give hugs and catch up on all things chicken. I adore these friends.
One of these chicken ladies is Melissa Caughey of the popular blog Tilly’s Nest. Melissa has just come out with her first chicken book: A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens and it’s a winner. In it she offers advice on how to choose chickens for your flock, how to take care of those little chicks for the first six weeks, building a coop, feeding your flock, eggs, how to take care of sick chickens, playing with chickens, and the final chapters cover chicken crafts and cooking with eggs.
It’s all here inside the covers of this book. Everything you need to know in order to raise backyard chickens.
Filled with charming drawings and tons of gorgeous photographs, although this book is aimed at children, there is plenty of advice and information for anyone who is keeping a flock. It’s like a mini-almanac filled with interesting bits on things like feathers vs. fluff, types of combs, and bits of life wisdom from snippets called “Chicken School.”
There are plenty of activities (grow your own meal worms), quizzes (guess which chicken laid which egg), and many examples of how you can incorporate your chickens into your life (build forts, make treats for them, and what types of herbs you can grow that are chicken friendly.)
I know that there are a lot of chicken books out there and I usually tell people in my chicken workshops that once they have a good one, they don’t really need another, but Melissa’s book goes so far beyond being “just” a chicken book, it’s an entertaining and informative resource that quite frankly belongs in everyone’s chicken book library.
If you’re getting chicks this spring, also consider picking up a copy of A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens – you’ll be doing yourself and your flock a big favor.
***
Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
Also, join me on Facebook to find out more about the flock (children and chickens) and see some pretty funny chicken jokes, photos of tiny houses, and even a recipe or two.
Like what you read here? Consider subscribing to this blog so that you’ll never miss a post. And feel free to share with those who may need a little chicken love.
