Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry: Breeds, Care, Health

Leonard Mercia

1 The book is a no-nonsense, fact-filled resource.
I have a homestead in Peru (near Cusco / Machu Picchu). I wanted to raise my own meat; thus I bought a dozen chicks. As life dictates they grew and the day came for eating. I gave the first chicken to my housekeeper to kill and clean. She smothered the poor bird by holding its beak closed and plugging the nostrils. The suffocation process took about two struggling minutes. Not a good way to kill a bird, I thought. The second chicken was given to my hired hand, and he killed the bird by stretching its neck three times. Yes, a better method, but really, what do the professionals recommend? Thus, I initially bought "Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry", to find the most humane way to kill poultry.

The book is a no-nonsense, fact-filled resource. Written for those who are serious about raising poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, game birds and other poultry). Written by a professional poultryman, the book covers nutrition, disease, immunity, housing, breeding and management in a comprehensive manner.

The writing is clear, terse and complete. The diagrams and drawings are good. The book has a superb index, along with a good glossary, a list of associations, an appendix that gives you sources of supplies and equipment, and much more.

The descriptions of the breeds of poultry could be better. The one paragraph given to various breeds is inadequate for those who are unfamiliar with breeds (Wyandottes, Australorps, Araucans etc.). The feed section is bias towards commercially packaged feeds, and gives little to no information on homemade mashes. In Peru, we must make our own mash, or go without.

All-in-all, Storey's Guide it is a lot more book than I initially needed. But, after reading through the book, I was both impressed and intrigued enough to consider raising other types of poultry. Hum, maybe turkeys are next. I did use Mercia's recommended method for killing chickens (sever the jugular and insert knife for debraining) and must confess that killing a chicken, regardless of the methodology, is not my preferred hobby. Strongly Recommended

2 If you only get ONE book for your poultry Library, THIS ONE
I picked this up at the public library to skim over and take back but after having it for just one week, I must have my own copy. The wonderful knowledge that is presented in easy to understand directions from all aspects of poultry. The nice part is they have instructions how to build most any poultry equipment you might need and this would be great for anyone, especially home schoolers.
I am getting my copy.