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annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks is a cheerful, upbeat look at ways to improve ('hack') chicken husbandry. Aimed at the newer suburban chicken wrangler, it provides a humorous look at simple ways of upcycling, repurposing, and reusing items which the reader might have lying around.
Written by 'Fresh Eggs Daily' blogger/media personality/chicken wrangler Lisa Steele and published by Quarto on their Voyageur imprint, it's 176 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a very appealing, whimsical, and upbeat book. There are a bunch of cute decor ideas included (her chicken coop setup includes cute gingham curtains). There are tips and tricks for every area of chicken keeping. The hacks are arranged in chapters dealing with food, housing, outdoor areas & runs, raising chicks, chicken health & welfare, your (human) home use (hair rinses, egg storage, recipes, etc), and outdoor/garden.
There are a number of these ideas which are cute and whimsical and are utterly impractical. On the other hand there are a number of really good and practical ideas. It's a mixed bag. I really like the idea of repurposing and upcycling. There are bound to be some tips which are usable by most readers.
The photography is very clear and full of lovely, appealing, and healthy chickens. There's a useful resource list (aimed mostly at North American readers) and a handy index at the back of the book.
Well written and fun. Would make a nice gift for a beginning backyard chicken-herder (or soon-to-be).
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks is a cheerful, upbeat look at ways to improve ('hack') chicken husbandry. Aimed at the newer suburban chicken wrangler, it provides a humorous look at simple ways of upcycling, repurposing, and reusing items which the reader might have lying around.
Written by 'Fresh Eggs Daily' blogger/media personality/chicken wrangler Lisa Steele and published by Quarto on their Voyageur imprint, it's 176 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a very appealing, whimsical, and upbeat book. There are a bunch of cute decor ideas included (her chicken coop setup includes cute gingham curtains). There are tips and tricks for every area of chicken keeping. The hacks are arranged in chapters dealing with food, housing, outdoor areas & runs, raising chicks, chicken health & welfare, your (human) home use (hair rinses, egg storage, recipes, etc), and outdoor/garden.
There are a number of these ideas which are cute and whimsical and are utterly impractical. On the other hand there are a number of really good and practical ideas. It's a mixed bag. I really like the idea of repurposing and upcycling. There are bound to be some tips which are usable by most readers.
The photography is very clear and full of lovely, appealing, and healthy chickens. There's a useful resource list (aimed mostly at North American readers) and a handy index at the back of the book.
Well written and fun. Would make a nice gift for a beginning backyard chicken-herder (or soon-to-be).
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
This is both a Martha Stewart for chickens sort of book, as well as a good source for hacks that you should know. In between making curtains for the coop, and cleaning the glass of the said coop, you get practicle advice, such as the best way to make fermented treats, or what herbs are best to keep out mites.
And the Martha Stewart type tips are not bad, but I doubt I would ever make a nest out of an old chair.
So, take this with what it is worth, that some things, like mirrors for the coop are both cool and a neat trick, other things, such as building a swing might be more than you are up to doing.
Having chickens is not so much a hobby, these days, it is a way of life, and I totally believe in this, as I have been keeping chickens for over six years, and can't imagine a life without them, even if I don't make curtains for their coop.
So, yes, I would recommend this book, especially for the hardened veteren such as me, who thinks they know everything there is to know about chickens, and who doesn't mind admitting that this book gave some tips that I hadn't heard of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And the Martha Stewart type tips are not bad, but I doubt I would ever make a nest out of an old chair.
So, take this with what it is worth, that some things, like mirrors for the coop are both cool and a neat trick, other things, such as building a swing might be more than you are up to doing.
Having chickens is not so much a hobby, these days, it is a way of life, and I totally believe in this, as I have been keeping chickens for over six years, and can't imagine a life without them, even if I don't make curtains for their coop.
So, yes, I would recommend this book, especially for the hardened veteren such as me, who thinks they know everything there is to know about chickens, and who doesn't mind admitting that this book gave some tips that I hadn't heard of.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
gemmaflanagan's review
5.0
101 brilliant tips and tricks for anyone keeping chickens.
Some really helpful ideas in here that I will certainly be trying.
My chickens will be thrilled and spoilt rotten.
My only issue is the chicken tutus. Why??!!!
I am now going to have to find the time to make a flocks worth of colourful tutus for my chickens and upon completion attempt to get them all into a photo at the same time to add to the family gallery! Adorable .
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Some really helpful ideas in here that I will certainly be trying.
My chickens will be thrilled and spoilt rotten.
My only issue is the chicken tutus. Why??!!!
I am now going to have to find the time to make a flocks worth of colourful tutus for my chickens and upon completion attempt to get them all into a photo at the same time to add to the family gallery! Adorable .
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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