Suburban Chickens

<h4>Discover the joys and rewards of raising chickens in your backyard!</h4><p><br></p><p>Author Karen Harris used <u>interviews with a half dozen experienced small-scale chicken farmers</u> to create the ultimate how-to book for managing a backyard flock.</p><p><br></p><p>A TRULY comprehensive guide covering everything you <u>NEED TO KNOW</u>:</p><ul><li><strong>Sourcing Chicks</strong></li><li>Understanding chicken terms and breeds</li><li>Differentiating between layers meat birds dual-purpose chickens and bantams</li><li>When and where to get chicks: local hatcheries mail-order feed stores local breeders community exchange groups</li><li>Preparing for the arrival of chicks: setting up a brooder providing heat light ventilation quarantine socialization</li><li><strong>Raising Chicks</strong></li><li>Feeding and watering chicks: chick starter fresh water treats grit</li><li>Ensuring proper warmth and ventilation</li><li>Monitoring chick health and growth: antibiotics injuries illnesses tracking growth</li><li>Transitioning chicks to the coop: feathering weaning from heat lamp weather considerations coop introduction</li><li><strong>Housing for Suburban Chickens</strong></li><li>Types of chicken housing for small spaces: pre-made coops custom-built coops converted sheds mobile coops</li><li>Determining the ideal coop size</li><li>Essential coop features: door roosts nesting boxes predator protection ventilation natural sunlight</li><li>Additional desirable coop features: people door exterior egg collection lid feed tubes electricity</li><li>Importance of a well-designed chicken run and bedding material options</li><li><strong>Feeding Your Flock</strong></li><li>Understanding the digestive system and nutritional requirements of chickens: protein carbohydrates fats minerals vitamins calcium water</li><li>Types and styles of chicken feed: starter grower finisher layer; crumbles pellets mash scratch</li><li>Supplementing feed with treats and greens: fruits vegetables safe options growing your own chicken food</li><li>Importance of oyster shells and distinguishing between oyster shells and grit</li><li>Considerations regarding lawn care and the interaction of suburban chickens</li><li><strong>Protecting Your Chickens from Predators</strong></li><li>Identifying common predators in suburban areas: wildlife (raccoons hawks coyotes etc.) and domestic (dogs cats humans)</li><li>Deterrence strategies: fencing netting alarms motion lights locks and latches</li><li>Responding to an attack: in-progress response assessing injuries regrouping afterward</li><li><strong>Urban Chicken Ordinances</strong></li><li>Understanding laws regulations ordinances and homeowners' associations</li><li>Addressed concerns: number of chickens rooster bans slaughter and free-range rules nuisance complaints coop placement and housing requirements health codes</li><li><strong>Free-Ranging and Foraging</strong></li><li>Benefits of free-ranging: varied diet better egg quality active chickens tastier meat cleaner coop reduced feed costs insect control mental stimulation</li><li>Managing free-range time protecting free-ranging chickens drawbacks to consider: lawn chemicals chicken poop foraging risks</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Written in an accessible and engaging style each chapter is designed to enhance your knowledge and equip you with the tools necessary to succeed.</p><p><br></p>