The Joy of Keeping Chickens

May 1, 2009
Vermont organic farmer Megyesi has raised poultry for several years, and her book is partially a personal account of her quest to develop a humane production system that addresses chickens' needs and behaviors. She also dutifully meets her other goal of informing potential backyard farmers on the intricacies associated with chicken husbandry. In addition to providing information on equipment, housing facilities, and breeds found in a typical handbook, Megyesi goes into great detail on how to raise chickens on a small scale, defining terms like "organic" and "free-range", discussing health issues, and even offering advice on showing chickens. Each chapter includes sidebars of additional tips, which are indexed for easy reference, as well as beautiful photographs accompanied by detailed descriptions. The easy-to-read prose makes this ideal for beginners; the book also includes resources and material for longtime chicken producers. Also provided are recipes for the eggs and meat that are produced. Megyesi's versatile book can accommodate several production management styles beyond her own experience. An excellent resource that provides a compassionate way to raise livestock for personal use, this is strongly recommended for public and academic libraries.Kyrille Goldbeck, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. Lib., Blacksburg

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