Have you ever read a book that came at just the right time in your life? This happened when I recently read Janet Garmen’s new book “Chickens From Scratch”. I read the book in one sitting and by the end felt confident about raising our own new flock of chickens from the chick stage on up to adulthood!
For the last couple years I’ve been reading and researching about raising chickens. Our first step into raising chickens came when we bought our coop and flock of adult chickens from a family who was moving. After a few months we were feeling more confident about raising chickens and adopted four more adult hens. We’ve been talking for a while about branching out into raising some chickens for meat and the next generation of egg layers. The difference this time is that we want to raise these ones from chicks.
In preparation for raising baby chicks, this winter I began reading a myriad of articles on raising chicks. But the more I read, the more overwhelmed I became. Raising chicks is kind of like beekeeping, it seems everyone has a different opinion on how to do it!
Then I had the chance to read Janet Garmen’s book “Chickens From Scratch.” This book was amazing! It is an excellent beginner’s guide to raising chicks, with just enough information to give the newbie some confidence in doing it but not too much information as to overwhelm the beginners like myself!
There’s even a step by step explanation on how to clean a “pasty butt”. If you’ve never raised chicks before, you may have no idea what this means- and probably don’t want to! Since we ended up with over 30 baby chicks in the brooder this spring we had a couple who got the infamous pasty butt. I got out my book, followed Garmen’s instructions and cleaned those messy bums- I was so proud of myself!
Several times in the weeks since we brought home our baby chicks, I’ve consulted this book for advice. If you’re planning to raise chicks, I highly recommend picking up a copy of “Chickens From Scratch”. It was invaluable in helping us take on the adventure of raising a whole new flock of baby chicks-and saving a couple of them from an untimely death due to “pasty butt”!
Janet Garmen has graciously offered one lucky reader their choice of an ebook OR hard copy of her book, Chickens From Scratch. To enter to win, comment below and tell us why you want to win. The giveaway will end on May 5th. Good luck!
The giveaway is closed and the winner has been emailed!
Marissa
April 26, 2015 at 9:46 pmI have my first chicks coming on May 11th, and I while I’ve read several books and many articles, I know I could still use more advice!
Laura
April 27, 2015 at 12:04 pmWe are getting chickens soon and this would be a great resource.
Jenna O
April 27, 2015 at 12:55 pmI´d love to win it cause we are about to get some chickens this summer!
Erika
April 27, 2015 at 1:19 pmOh I would love to read that one! An ebook would be lovely! I am trying to declutter at home, sadly but very needed to!
Linda Stotts
April 27, 2015 at 9:56 pmwe are considering adding a brood of hens,but I dont know the first thing about them except fresh eggs are so much better than store bought! There are so many “experts” out there,its hard to choose a really good book,not to mention the wives tales from helpful neighbors. A good “go to book would be so helpful!
Melissa
April 28, 2015 at 7:42 ami would love to win this book because I am always trying to get more information and different ideas to make my girls more healthy and spoiled.
Dana
April 28, 2015 at 7:59 amI have not read any books on raising chickens. I will be ordering my chicks in about a week or 2 (hopefully). My better half grew up helping raise chickens and all kinds of farm animals. I did have chickens briefly, but my ex refused to allow me to even buy a book on raising them. Thank you for this opportunity to help someone with their own chickens.
Judy Riffe
April 28, 2015 at 10:24 amI would love to win the book….I am new at having chickens….I need all the help I can get….Thanks for the chance to win.
Anna Pry
April 28, 2015 at 10:55 amwe’re finally moving to a house where we can start raising chickens but i know i have a lot to learn first! thanks for the chance to win pryfamily5@gmail.com
Roxy
March 8, 2017 at 10:41 pmYour article petelcrfy shows what I needed to know, thanks!
Chris Chapman
April 29, 2015 at 1:51 pmI’ve had chickens for two years now and they are delightful additions to the yard. There are always new things to learn and I am always looking for great additions to the homestead library.
Jodi White
May 1, 2015 at 9:18 amThis book would be extremely valuable for me as a start our new chicken project!!
Carter
May 1, 2015 at 6:36 pmI dream of having my own chickens but am a bit nervous about getting it right. Sounds like this IS the resource to give me the boost of confidence to my roost get started! Excited for fresh eggs and a brood of my own!!
Josh C
May 2, 2015 at 4:59 amWe are going to get chickens when we move into our new place in July and this book would be great to have on hand.
tammy
May 2, 2015 at 5:33 amWe have had chickens before, but have never raised them from eggs. This book sounds like just what we need when we begin raising chickens again. We appreciate hard copy books around here. What a nice giveaway.
Tina Bailey
May 2, 2015 at 6:30 amI’m getting chicks today as well as baby ducks. Raised chickens when I was a kid. And any help is always good. Plus I read everything. Would live to add this book to my collection. Got any for ducks?
bobbi gneiting
May 2, 2015 at 6:41 amI plan on retiring after teaching for over 35 years and want to have my own little flock of chickens. Instead of caring for and chasing little human chicks I will be digging in the soil and caring for feathered chicks… but I think I should do my “homework” before I start.
Gabrielle Dennison
May 2, 2015 at 7:38 amI would love the book because my dad raises chickens.
Linda
May 2, 2015 at 7:42 amI would like to win this book because I am married to a city boy who wants to have chickens. We started bees last year and we’re successful in part because of reading good material. I am confident that this will help in the same way. Thank you!
Lauren
May 2, 2015 at 7:43 amThanks for the interesting blog, I enjoy reading it. I would love this book for my library. Thanks again.
Debbye Scroggins
May 2, 2015 at 9:03 amChickens are special creatures that make my heart sing every time I see them. My fondest memories include going with my great-grandmother to feed them when I was a little girl. I had just moved from my home state of Montana to Oklahoma and this ritual somewhat eased the homesickness. Advice on how to raise these beauties better is welcome!
Bridget
May 2, 2015 at 10:28 amI would love to win a hard cover of this book! We are building our first chicken coop right now and could use all the knowledge we can get!
Angie
May 2, 2015 at 10:34 amGot my very first chicks out in the brooder now! It’s quite amazing how fast they grow and how smart they are. Even our dog, Reagan, likes to “check the chicks”…I think that she thinks, they are her babies.
I hear ya on the information overload! I have lots of bookmarked articles on my computer. At least I am organized enough to have created a folder called “chickens”…it does make research a tad bit easier!
I appreciate the opportunity presented and I thank you and the author, for your generosity.
Blessings!
Sue D
May 2, 2015 at 10:37 amMy son and his family are talking about raising chickens–would love to win this book for them.
Jennifer
May 2, 2015 at 3:10 pmI’m very interested in raising chickens of my own. Before starting I’d like to be as informed as possible. This book sounds like a fabulous resource.
Dani
May 2, 2015 at 4:46 pmI have chickens and moderate laying success, I’m sure I could do better !
One of God's
May 2, 2015 at 7:28 pmAs a relative neophyte to being a chicken mama, I’d be glad to learn more so I can improve. Thanks for the opportunity.
Kelly C
May 2, 2015 at 8:59 pmWe will be moving to our new homestead next month and getting chickens is the first project on our list. The book would be a great resource for us as newbie chicken caretakers. Thank you!
Mama Lusco
May 3, 2015 at 12:37 amWe have 50 chicks in the brooder right now. Sounds like a helpful book to have
patty
May 3, 2015 at 9:42 amI just learned are property is zoned for two chickens (no roosters) and we are so excited! We’ve been doing a tremendous amount of research on how to raise and care for our new “pets.” This book will come in handy when “Daisy Mae” and “Daisy Duke” make their debut later this month!
Jillian
May 3, 2015 at 5:54 pmWhat a great giveaway! I want to win because I am in year 3 of hatching and raising chickens and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I am always learning new things about raising chickens. I read everything I can and talk to everyone I know about chickens, and this book sounds like a dream! I would love to win it.
Charolett Wills
May 4, 2015 at 2:25 amThis book sounds like a dream. I would love to have it because, I am starting to build a chicken coop and want to have fresh eggs and meat. I want the birds to be healthy and happy, and this is why I want to win this book.
Bella
May 4, 2015 at 3:07 amWe’re taking early retirement and checking out of the rat race! So, me being the “all my ducks/chicks in a row” kinda person I’m carefully planning our homestead. I’d actually read the blurb and reviews of Janet’s book on Amazon and saved it in my wish list about a week ago … so actually being able to add the book to my arsenal would be fabulous!
Brooke Z
May 4, 2015 at 8:55 amWould love to win a hard copy of this book!! It’s only our second year raising chickens and I know I still have a lot to learn! Thank you for this opportunity!
chris z
May 4, 2015 at 9:18 amThis truly would be awesome as I’m going to hatch my own from eggs that my girls have given me. They are 2 years old and starting to slow down in egg production.
Jeanie W
May 4, 2015 at 11:53 amMy husband and I are getting out of the rat race and back into small town living. Part of that will include chickens and I would love to have Janet’s chicken expertise at my fingertips. I love animals and want to make sure I have good information on taking care of chickens.
Ann
May 4, 2015 at 7:04 pmWe really enjoy our chickens, as they turned out to be quite entertaining. The eggs are wonderful…we give most of them away to the neighbors, as we get at least a dozen a day. So far, we haven’t had any problems…aside from three lost to a travelling raccoon. This year, we’ve got one hen brooding for the first time. So we’re hoping for some new little chicks to add to our flock of 30.