The Happy Hen Handbook (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781916662537)

Turn Your Backyard Into a Thriving Chicken Haven-Even If You've Never Raised Chickens Before

Ready to enjoy fresh eggs every morning and experience the joy of keeping backyard chickens? The Happy Hen Handbook gives you everything you need to raise a healthy, productive flock with confidence-no prior experience required.

This complete beginner's guide takes you step-by-step through every aspect of backyard chicken keeping: selecting breeds, building coops, understanding flock behavior, preventing health problems, and collecting delicious farm-fresh eggs year-round.

What You'll Learn Inside:

Choosing the Right Chickens

• Best breeds for beginners, egg production, and small spaces
• Selecting healthy chicks or started pullets
• Understanding temperament and egg color

Building Your Chicken Coop

• Simple coop designs that keep predators out
• Essential equipment: feeders, waterers, nesting boxes
• Space requirements for happy, healthy hens

Feeding for Health and Egg Production

• Complete feeding guide from chicks to layers
• Kitchen scraps, treats, and free-ranging strategies
• Providing proper nutrition and calcium

Daily Care and Seasonal Management

• Routines that keep your flock thriving
• Winter care and summer heat stress prevention
• Maintaining egg production year-round

Understanding Chicken Behavior

• Decoding the pecking order
• Managing broody hens
• Integrating new chickens successfully

Natural Health Care

• Recognizing illness early
• Preventing parasites and respiratory issues
• When to call a vet vs. treating at home

Sustainable Chicken Keeping

• Using chicken manure in your garden
• Creating a low-waste backyard ecosystem
• Natural pest control with chickens