Stephen Green-Armytage, author/photographer of Abrams' enchanting Dudley: The Little Terrier That Could, has now produced a unique adult book, introducing the bizarre and beautiful world of exotic ornamental chickens. His startling pictures present an international selection of breeds ranging from the Bearded Silkie and the crested Polish to the majestic Phoenix, whose tail feathers can exceed 10 feet in length. Chickens of all sizes, shapes, and colors parade through these pages, as Green-Armytage captures the surprising and expressive personality of these amazing birds. For breeders, this will be a volume they must own; for everyone else, it will be a revelation, prized for the sheer enjoyment of the striking photographs and the extraordinary animals they portray.

ISBN: 0810933438

Written for beginners and those who already own chickens, Teach Yourself Keeping Poultry informs you on housing and feeding chickens and other fowl. You'll also get valuable information on biology, breeds, and the equipment you'll need.

• Also covers ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, and quail
• Troubleshooting tips and info on transporting poultry

Table of contents

Short history of poultry
Chickens
Ducks
Geese
Turkeys
Other birds: Guinea fowl and Quail
Meat production
Diseases and problems: quick reference chart
Egg recipes
Appendices
Vermin control
Transport regulations
Exhibiting
Troubleshooting
Glossary
Useful addresses
Further reading
Index

Biographical note

Victoria Roberts BVCc MRCVS, is the author or editor of five books on keeping poultry, the Honorary Veterinary Surgeon for the Poultry Club.

Would you like to keep hens in your garden?  There is little more satisfying than fresh eggs straight from the nest box; hens make great pets with their different personalities and are great fun to watch.  

Building on the success of her Hens in the Garden, Eggs in the Kitchen book, Charlotte Popescu explores which breeds will be most suitable for an average family garden.  There are many varieties to look at but you have to decide on the size, shape and colour as well as how many to start with and whether you want hens mainly for egg production or more as pets.  Eggs will also vary in size and colour.

This book explains the difference between pure breeds, hybrids and cross breeds and give you lots of information on the most popular varieties from Sussex, Silkie, Rhode Island Red and Wyandotte to the little Pekin or the popular hybrid, Black Rock.

Stories are told, often humorous, on experiences of keeping different breeds. These accounts will give you a real insight into many types of hens and bantams and whether they are right for you and your garden.

This book is about keeping hens for pleasure in your garden, about their suitability as pets and the joy of having fresh free-range eggs. The author has kept bantams in her garden for many years and this book is based on personal experiences. The book includes chapters on housing, feeding, egg laying, hatching chicks plus information on breeds and common ailments. The second half of the book contains egg recipes with helpful ideas for surplus eggs and left over yolks or whites. Savoury and sweet recipes include tarts, souffles, mousses, cakes, Swiss rolls, Ice creams, roulades and meringues. The book is illustrated with black and white drawings and with an 8 page colour section.

A well illustrated and readable book covering all aspects of keeping, breeding, raising and showing turkeys on a small scale

It describes the traditional breeds and how to cater for the free-range and organic Christmas markets. - Includes full colour photographs.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• About the Turkey
• Breeds
• Housing
• Feeding
• Breeding
• Christmas Turkeys
• Organic Turkeys
• Showing Turkeys
• Health
• The Turkey Year
• Reference Section
• Glossary
• Index

This must-have reference for the small-flock owner covers the problems and diseases common to chickens of all breeds and ages. Practical charts identify common symptoms and causes of disease, while an alphabetic listing of diseases provides advice on treatment.

Published 21st March 2005, this new edition contains over 40 colour photographs as well as mono photographs and line drawings.

It provides an up-to-date and practical coverage of the selection, housing, feeding, breeding and breed development of Coturnix and aviary breeds of quail.

Invaluable to breeders of quail, both large and small, 96 page full of information.

Read a sample chapter from the book here

List of Contents

• Introduction
• History of the quail
• About the quail
• Coturnix breeds
• Other aviary breeds
• Housing
• Feeding
• Breeding
• Eggs
• Quail for the table
• Health
• Reference section
• Index

Widely recognised as the definitive guide to modern free-range management, this book is a practical and comprehensive guide that is up to date with legislation and research findings.

Welfare considerations are discussed, with details of Freedom Food and Organic standards.

There is advice on the best choice of breeds for specific purposes, including egg production, table bird production, breeding to show standards and general interest poultry keeping. Every aspect of poultry husbandry is covered.

Suitable for the commercial free-range flock owner, the home poultry keeper or the breeder and enthusiast.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Key questions and regulations
• About the chicken
• Origin, classification and development
• Breeds for free-range
• Housing the small flock
• Housing the large flock
• Land management, fencing and predators
• Feeding
• Buying and managing poultry
• Eggs, registering and selling
• Table birds
• Breeding and rearing
• Showing
• Marketing
• Common problems and diseases
• Keeping Records
• Chicken facts and figures
• Glossary
• References and further information
• Index

Incubation by Katie Thear

£7.95

Published in 2003 this book covers the use of small to medium sized incubators and brooders, as well as larger systems for more exotic species.

Presented in a clear and concise way, with an emphasis on practical techniques and DIY tips.

Species covered: chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, partridges, peafowl, ostriches, emus, rheas and parrots.

Relevant to poultry keepers, waterfowl and game breeders, and anyone with an interest in domestic and exotic species of birds.

List of Contents

• Introduction
• History of incubation
• The egg
• The breeders
• The incubation area
• The incubator
• Home made incubators
• Rearing in a brooder
• The broody hen
• Home made brooders
• Chick assessment
• Different bird species
• What went wrong?
• References and further information
• Index

This unique book provides an excellent coverage of what is involved in managing organic poultry, including laying and table chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowl.

It includes research findings on the best way to cater for the innate needs of poultry and aims to clarify a situation where there is considerable confusion about organic standards.

A 'must' for those keeping poultry organically or considering converting to organic poultry

List of Contents

• Preface
• What is organic?
• Land conversion
• Pasture
• Housing
• Feeding
• Layers
• Table chickens
• Ducks
• Geese
• Turkeys
• Guinea fowl
• Health
• Flock replacement
• The organic enterprise
• References
• Index

Our best-selling title and currently the UK's best-selling book on chickens.

Comprehensive help for all those who wish to keep chickens on a small scale.

It covers everything from choosing a house to selecting, buying and caring for hens. Over 90 breeds are illustrated, many in colour. Feeding, breeding, eggs and seasonal care are discussed, as well as dealing with problems should they occur.

Written in a clear and concise way - an ideal introduction.

List of Contents

• Introduction
• Are chickens for you?
• What do chickens need?
• History of the chicken
• The house and run
• Fencing and predators
• Choosing a breed
• Illustrated description of the breeds
• Buying the birds
• Feeding
• Daily and seasonal care
• What to do with all those eggs
• Breeding your own replacements
• Showing
• Dealing with problems
• Quirky questions
• References and further information
• Index

This excellent book is written by an experienced bantam and large fowl poultry breeder and show judge.

Covering soft feather bantams, hard-feather bantams, true bantams and rare breed bantams, it is an ideal introduction to a popular subject.

List of Contents

• Introduction
• History of bantams
• Getting started
• Breeds
• Feeding
• Housing
• Breeding
• Successful hatchings
• Showing
• Health
• Glossary of terms
• References and further information
• Index

This is the book on domestic and ornamental breeds for the beginner.

Full of practical tips, it provides information on how to set up a small unit, managing ponds and streams.

Covers all aspects of keeping, breeding and rearing ducks.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• About the duck
• Origin, classification and types
• Access to water
• Housing, fencing and predators
• Breeds – domestic and ornamental
• Illustrated description of breeds
• Buying stock
• Feeding
• Eggs
• Breeding, rearing and sexing
• Table ducks
• Showing
• Health
• Daily and seasonal care
• Ducks miscellany
• References and further information
• Index

Available now, a new guide to keeping domestic breeds and ornamental geese on a small or commercial scale.

Housing, pasture and water access, feeding, care and management, breeding, selling and showing.

All the domestic breeds and a selection of ornamentals in full colour.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Classification and development of breeds
• Characteristics and behaviour
• Choosing and buying stock
• Breeds
• Housing
• Pasture and predators
• Water
• Feeding
• Breeding, rearing and sexing
• Table geese
• Showing
• Ornamental breeds
• Health
• Regulations
• Daily and seasonal care
• References and further information
• Index

A really useful book for anyone planning to buy a smallholding, or start a new smallholding activity.

It offers timely advice on how to choose the right property for different needs and circumstances, as well as sorting out priorities after moving in.

The book describes how activities make different demands on space, time, energy and money, with details of over 20 activities related to animals, poultry and the land.

It also provides details of where further help and advice may be obtained.

Wherever you choose to live, and whatever the final activities on the smallholding, it is essential to clarify your ideas on what you want to do and how you will be able to make it pay.

List of Contents

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Preparations
• What is a smallholding?
• Choosing a smallholding
• Buying Livestock and poultry
• Getting started
• Growing
• Chickens
• Ducks
• Geese
• Turkeys
• Guinea fowl
• Quail
• Breeding Replacement Poultry
• Rabbits
• Bees
• Pigs
• Sheep
• Goats
• Cattle
• Alpacas and other livestock
• Smallholding maintenance
• Legislation
• References and further information

Colour and black and white photographs and line drawings. An ideal introduction to goats and goatkeeping, this well-illustrated book is full of practical and up-to-date information.Coverage includes dairy, fibre, pygmy, meat and harness goats, as well as managing, showing, breeding and dairying.

Written for those new to sheep, this gives clear guidance as to what is involved, what initial decisions need to be made, and how much land and equipment are needed.

It describes the tasks involved in sheep husbandry, with advice on when and how to carry out the tasks.

Suggestions are made as to how difficulties can be avoided by working with the natural instincts of sheep.

The author is Secretary of the British Icelandic Sheep Breeders' Group and an experienced sheep farmer.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Sheep-keeping systems
• Breeds
• Grazing, housing, equipment and handling
• Husbandry tasks
• Common infections and parasites
• Feeding
• Weaning, tupping, early and mid-pregnancy
• Late pregnancy and lambing
• Lamb care from birth to marketing
• Problems at lambing
• Wool
• Agricultural and sheep shows
• Regulations
• References and further information
• Glossary
• Index

New expanded edition includes house or chicken coop for 6-8 hens, complete with perches, nestbox, pop-hole, door and run.
Also includes an easy to make Bantam House for 3-4 birds.

An easy to build house for 6-8 hens, which can also be scaled for a smaller or larger house. It can be simplified for use as a duck or goose house. Arranged on an A2 sized sheet, there is a detailed cutting list as well as timber, fixture, tools and fittings requirements. Ideal plan for DIY chicken coop.

Described as the smallholder's bible!

A practical handbook for the small farmer in the 21st century, this is the essential reference book for anyone working on a smallholding, whether the intention is just to reduce living costs by producing food at home, or to earn a supplementary income through the sale of produce.

Illustrated in colour throughout.

Katie starts by describing the practical requirements in terms of house, land, boundaries, buildings, tools and machinery, before moving on to the techniques of small-scale agriculture: tending the kitchen garden, orchard and pasture, growing fodder crops, and cultivation with the aid of greenhouses and poly-tunnels.

The coverage of livestock includes: bees, chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, peacocks, pheasants, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle and exotic species such as emus and alpacas.

List of Contents

• Preface
• Introduction
• Buying a smallholding
• The house
• Outbuilding, machinery and tools
• Boundaries
• The kitchen garden
• Protected cultivation
• The orchard
• Pasture and fodder crops
• Bees
• Chickens
• Rabbits
• Waterfowl
• Turkeys
• Guinea fowl
• Quail
• Peafowl and pheasants
• Pigs
• Sheep
• Goats
• Cattle
• Fleeces
• Exotic species
• Working in the countryside
• Regulations
• Coping with pests the organic way
• Glossary
• References and further information
• Index

Chunky Kids first book of chickens

Cock-a-doodle COOL - fowl facts are fun! Who You Callin' Chicken introduces children ages 3-8 to the wonderfully broad and eccentric world of chickens. Take a "walk on the wild side" with the wild Red Jungle Fowl, the ancestor of all chickens. Meet some crazy comb-heads. And find out why the chicken crossed the road (as opposed to flying over it). With photographs from Abrams' best-selling book Extraordinary Chickens and a lively, punny, and definitely funny text, this entertaining yet equally educational book is sure to be a hit with children, parents, and anyone else in the mood for some good ol' cornball fun!

Diseases of free range poultry (2nd revised edition)
Victoria Roberts £15.99

Free range birds are usually much healthier than their sad intensive cousins but even they get ill sometimes. Victoria Roberts, a vet who is a poultry specialist, gives guidance on good management, common diseases and problems, and how to watch for the symptoms as well as what to do about them. Comprehensive sections on anatomy, reproductive bits, digestive systems etc and an excellent chart for common disease identification, includes water fowl, quail etc. 252pp

The Complete Encylopedia Of Chickens was £12.99 NOW £5.99

Practical Poultry Keeping £14.99

Poultry House Construction £8.50

This is a D.I.Y. guide to building houses and allied equipment such as show boxes, free range feeder, trap nest boxes. There are 13 projects, all with photographs of the finished article and diagrams with measurements of all the panels or sections; very easy to follow and to make. Projects include: Bantam House, 8ft Run, 6 or 8ft Ark, Eight or Ten Hen Coop and Poultry Palace. Other chapters include Housing Criteria, Tools Required and Timber Treatment.