The Chicken Health Handbook [Paperback]

Having invested a lot of good money in a large flock of over 500 chickens, I was at pains to see that every aspect of their welfare, care and diet was of the best possible quality. I must have been doing something right because my eggs quickly became much sought after. As with all new ventures, however, the honeymoon ended just as soon noticed one of my birds was unwell.

With replacing any sick bird being a far cheaper option than vets bills, it soon became a question of either culling or curing. This book is fairly comprehensive when it comes to poultry health and has proved to be one of the best books on the subject I was able to find. Subjects range from Diet, anatomy, health, parasites, diseases, environment, rats, incubation, brooding and so forth. As I say, fairly comprehensive.

It is very difficult to read a book of this type from cover to cover - although there are sections which should be read and understood by all poultry keepers. Readers will, however, be consulting this book in the hope of finding an answer to something specific. It is important, therefore, to find the symptoms displayed by a sick bird adequately described so that the reader is able to identify the problem and be certain that his diagnosis is correct. Generally speaking, I did find the information to be there, but finding that description of a specific illness, disease or whatever was the hardest part. This can become frustrating - especially when you want to get on and find the correct remedy.

In short, I would suggest this is a very good book. I believe it really does contain the answers to the many and varied questions people will have about the health of their birds but finding that answer did prove to be very difficult at times.

I would, therefore, suggest the serious keeper studies this book over a period of time in order to form a solid appreciation of everything concerned with the health of their Chickens.

NM

The book was very well written and will make a good resource book for illnesses.

I first came across this book from my local library in Australia. I was very impressed that firstly a woman had written the book, (since it appears that Poultry Breeding/Exhibiting seems to be a very male interest here!) and secondly that she had done a great job.

There are lots of practical ideas and simple methods of diagnosing and treating diseases all in laymans lingo. Which drugs will work on particular diseases and warnings about using the drugs. Particularly helpful was the reference of each disease and other diseases which might have the same symptoms. Since reading this book, I have seen it recommended many times by other chook breeders on www.the-coop.org message board.

I was concerned that this might be written for "Americans only" but there are actually references to Australia and most of the diseases and treatments apply here also. Unfortunately, when I went to purchase this book from my local book store, I was told that it was unavailable in Australia and my library must have purchased a joblot of books from America to originally have it to loan.

Thanks to Amazon books, I will now own a copy of this book which I am sure will be read again and again.