Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Damerow, Gail -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface 1 Choosing a Breed

Breeds Breed Selection Purebred versus Hybrid Which First — Chicks or Eggs? Examining Birds Getting Started

2 Fowl Disposition

Fowl Language When the Cock Crows Peck Order Fowl Intelligence

3 Shelter

Free Range Fenced Range Portable Shelters Permanent Shelters Cages Fences

4 Feed and Water

Water The Natural Chicken Feed Choices Feeding Routines Feeders Feed Storage

5 Routine Management

Cannibalism Predators Weather Considerations Coop Cleanup Dealing with Manure Trimming Procedures Handling Chickens Enterprise Integration

6 Health Care

Biosecurity Parasites Health, Disease, and Disease Resistance Poisons and Other Hazards First Aid

7 Laying-Hen Management

Egg Formation Layer Nutrition Controlled Lighting Distinguishing Layers from Liars Egg Issues Flock Replacement Egg Sales

8 Eggs for Eating

Egg Collection Egg Quality Egg Safety Nutritional Value Preserving Eggs

9 Managing a Breeder Flock

Rise and Fall of Breeds Breeding Plan Methods of Breeding The Gene Connection Inbreeding Depression Culling for a Healthy, Hardy Flock Feeding Breeders Mating Logistics Artificial Insemination Sex Determination

10 Hatching Eggs

Egg Collection Natural Incubation Incubating Eggs Artificially Candling the Eggs The Hatch Chick Identification Record Keeping

11 Chick Care

Natural Brooding Mechanical Brooders Brooder Features Feed and Water Chick Problems and Solutions

12 Exhibiting Your Chickens

Why Show? Selecting Birds for Show Rules of the Game Coop Training Conditioning At the Show After the Show Become a Master Exhibitor

13 Managing Meat Birds

Meat Breeds Management Methods Feeding Meat Birds Broiler Health Issues Production and Marketing Choices Readiness for Butchering

14 Meat on the Table

Killing Picking Evisceration Cooling Cutting Up Storing Poultry Sanitation and Safety

Glossary Recommended Reading Resources Index