Monday Giveaway — “Keeping Chickens with Ashley English”

by Katy on October 18, 2010 · 86 comments

Another week has started, which for us Non-Consumers means it’s time for another Monday Giveaway. This week’s selection is Keeping Chickens with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Care for a Happy, Healthy Flock. This is a fantastic book, even if you’re not a backyard poultry enthusiast. It’s got delicious looking egg recipes and would make the perfect gift for the chicken chica in your life.

This beautifully crafted book is the second in English’s Homemade Living series, (the first was Canning and Preserving) and is published by the generous people over at Lark Books. There are also books on Keeping Bees and Homemade Dairy, which are scheduled for publication March of 2011. Ms. English also writes the blog Small Measure, which is a wonderful chronicle of her projects and thoughts.

Last week’s giveaway of English’s Canning and Preserving book was extremely popular, and I expect this week’s will be as well.

To enter to win an autographed copy of this book, write something about chickens or eggs in the comments section below. And no, I don’t have a preference for which came first. 😉

I will randomly choose a winner on Wednesday, October 18th at midnight. Please enter just once, U.S. residents only.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 86 comments… read them below or add one }

lucy October 18, 2010 at 5:35 am

I’m a big fan of this series of books! We just moved to a new house that is definitely chicken-possible, but the land has several resident coyotes that like to howl at the moon in the very spot where I was thinking of housing the chickens — so I’m not sure… That said, this book would have a happy home with me because I dig the general information and recipes she includes!

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Andrea October 18, 2010 at 5:43 am

Neat! My husband is building a barn/garage (barage) this winter, which means we’ll finally have somewhere to keep chickens (my mother-in-law dropped some teenage chickens–not even cute little chicks–at our house one Easter morning a few years ago and suggested that we keep them in the basement when we took them back). We get our eggs from a nearby farm, but it would be nice to just walk outside to get them.

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Beth D. October 18, 2010 at 5:47 am

My favorite scientific saying: “The chicken is just the egg’s way of making more eggs!”

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Martha October 18, 2010 at 6:31 am

I keep hoping that I will get around to organizing a little flock…but things just don’t work out. And, I do worry about the hawks around my little farm.

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Eric Gottlieb October 18, 2010 at 6:33 am

I live in midtown Memphis and have been thinking about getting chickens for several years. A bunch of my friends have them now. I’m hoping to take the plunge soon. I’d love to see my flock scratching around in my compost pile.

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Linda October 18, 2010 at 6:37 am

I would love to win this book! I have been talking about getting chickens for years but my family is hesitate to say the least. They think it will be too much work. My neighbor does have chickens, so we do get fresh eggs most of the year for $2 a dozen. But, I really want to raise my own.

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Katie October 18, 2010 at 6:41 am

I recruited my dad to help me build a chicken coop. We just finished construction and 12 chicks moved in last weekend. This book is a great resource and I’ve checked it out from my library several times. In fact, I’ve had it at home for the maximum 3 week check out period and have to return it today. I’d love to have it as part of my permanent collection!

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ChristiH October 18, 2010 at 7:04 am

I have many chickens here in NM..plus coyotes and hawks.. A nice coop is easy to build, and the egg rewards are well worth it! I have even added Turkeys, and the eggs are so much richer. Please enter me to win the book. TY very much!

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Sherry October 18, 2010 at 7:16 am

I’ve wanted to have a few backyard chickens, but my husband thinks I’m crazy. Anyone convinced a spouse?

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Ellen October 18, 2010 at 3:55 pm

I convinced my husband with a couple tours of chickens in other people’s yards. It was their soft sounds that convinced him. That, and the assurance that there was someone who would be willing to take our chickens if we discovered we were not cut out to be chicken farmers.

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CindyK October 18, 2010 at 7:38 am

Oh, I hope I win! I really want to keep chickens in our suburban backyard. Of course, we have some obstacles: We recently went to a petting farm with chickens roaming free. When one turned its head toward my five-year-old, Tommy screamed like a girl and had to be carried out by his 76-year-old grandma. But I’m pretty sure we can overcome.

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Linden October 18, 2010 at 11:24 am

Why would you use acting like a girl as an insult? Are you trying to create an adult male who has no respect for women?

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Practical Parsimony October 18, 2010 at 4:06 pm

Thanks for that comment! Being a girl is a wonderful thing to be. I am even tackling a predator that killed one of mine.

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namastemama October 18, 2010 at 6:12 pm

One of your chickens I hope, not one of your girl children. 😉

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Mayhem October 18, 2010 at 8:03 am

We are hoping to get a few chicks for the first time next spring, and this would be a great book to have.

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heather October 18, 2010 at 8:09 am

I’ve really been contemplating backyard chickens so I would love this book. And even if we don’t go that route I’d love more ideas about what to do with excess eggs from our farm share.

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namastemama October 18, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Has no one made Katy’s haukuna frittata? It uses several eggs. I’ve used close to a dozen before. Please excuse the spelling.

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Kayla K October 18, 2010 at 8:51 am

This week in my Food Science lab we are making real angel food cake- which is a great way to use up all of those eggs from your backyard chickens! You can use up the yolks in homemade egg noodles.

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WilliamB October 18, 2010 at 8:52 am

I’d love to give chix raising a try. I’ve had happy eggs and happy chickens all summer and will miss them when CSA season ends.

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Alicia October 18, 2010 at 9:06 am

There is an abandoned chicken coop in a backyard down the street from me. Every time I walk past it, I think about asking the owner if I could have it. But first I have to convince my husband that we need to keep chickens.

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Laura October 18, 2010 at 9:27 am

I’ve been thinking about raising chickens, still researching coops right now!

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Molly On Money October 18, 2010 at 9:29 am

I’m a huge backyard chicken enthusiast. I go for some of the crazier looking breeds that aren’t the best layers but I love to look at them. This year I took the big leap to chicken farming poultry. For someone who had hardly every cut into a piece of raw poultry it was definitely a learning curve (a very gross learning curve).

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Eli October 18, 2010 at 9:30 am

What a timely give-away! My brother and his new wife just moved into their first house and have been looking into raising their own chickens 🙂

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary October 18, 2010 at 9:34 am

While there’s no chance of ME raising chickens (I live in a very urban area), a good friend of mine just bought a house in Seattle with a coop in the backyard. She’s so excited about raising chickens, and knows nothing about it. I’d love to win this for her. 🙂

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TeacherM October 18, 2010 at 10:20 am

I never had an egg until I was almost 21 years old. I just refused, the texture, smell, messy plates…I was so finicky! Now in small doses I can eat them but only in a fried egg sandwich. 🙂

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Jennifer October 18, 2010 at 11:05 am

I’ve been fascinated with the idea of having a chicken coop in my backyard ever since spying one in a neighbor’s backyard while walking our dogs. I would be thrilled to learn more about what it takes to give it a go!

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Missy October 18, 2010 at 11:18 am

Oh – this couldn’t be better timing for me! In Salem, we FINALLY just got the right to have chickens in our yards. In fact, it took a very concerted effort by a dedicated group of people over the last two years to convince our city council. The struggle was highlighted in our local papers, the Oregonian, as well as the NY Times. I can’t wait to get chickens of my very own now that it’s legal! And I’m eager to prove to all those naysayers that allowing those who want them to raise chickens will not affect those that don’t one bit!

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Sara October 18, 2010 at 11:21 am

I’ve always wanted to keep a couple of chickens in the backyard to have some fresh eggs. My grandma had one in her backyard in Oakland. My friends all think I’m kinda weird whenever I tell them I want to keep chickens in an semi-urban environment, but according to the city, it’s legal!

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Courtney F. October 18, 2010 at 11:25 am

I absolutely love pastured eggs. They are a necessity every time I go to the farmer’s market. 🙂 It would be great to have them only a few steps out the back door.

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Lindsey October 18, 2010 at 11:26 am

Turkens, also known as No-Feather Necks, are my favorite breed. Not especially layers, they are fiesty and entertaining.

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Mary Kay October 18, 2010 at 12:15 pm

I love eggs. I had a “fried” egg sandwich as a mid-morning snack.

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Laure October 18, 2010 at 12:17 pm

My sister-in-law has considered raising chickens. They live in suburbia but their town – 1 acre plots – is still zoned to allow chickens. We’d all enjoy the fresh eggs – so hope I win and it convinces her. Really enjoy your blog. Thanks!

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Grace October 18, 2010 at 12:31 pm

I am dying to get chickens for our backyard, hopefully we will in the spring. Ashley’s book would be so helpful!

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Rachel October 18, 2010 at 12:52 pm

we’ve had our chickens for about 6 months now…and I couldn’t adore any pet more. it was a sad day when we had to part with two roosters 🙁

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Christine S October 18, 2010 at 1:31 pm

I love using eggs in fritattas. Great way to use up leftovers!

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Stephanie October 18, 2010 at 1:44 pm

I’d love to have a small flock some day. I live in a rental house right now but someday I will buy a house and be able to keep chickens! I already have names picked out for them! 🙂

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Gwen October 18, 2010 at 1:49 pm

We have lots and lots and lots of chickens! We have these Banty hens that just love being mothers and so they go off and hide their nests somewhere and next thing I know…here comes Mama Hen with a batch of peeping chicks! But they’re so much fun and it’s particularly entertaining to watch Mama Hen interacting with and teach her little ones. I would love to get this book and find out more about raising chickens–that is, what I don’t already know! And egg recipes would be great too!

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Lee Ann L. October 18, 2010 at 2:03 pm

I’d like to win this for my friend Kara! She’s been wanting chickens for forever!

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renee October 18, 2010 at 2:06 pm

I want chickens!!! husband says NO FARM ANIMALS….maybe with this book I could change his mind 🙂

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Practical Parsimony October 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm

Tell him you changed your mind and want a pot-bellied pig instead. He will probably encourage you to just get chicks.

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Trish October 18, 2010 at 2:27 pm

I really want to keep chickens. My husband has been against it, seeing them as coyote bait, and then the other day he suggested it. Men are such a mystery! who can figure them out. I had been thinking of looking for a course on chicken keeping somewhere, so this book would be helpful.

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najwa October 18, 2010 at 2:38 pm

what first chicken or egg

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wendy October 18, 2010 at 2:42 pm

Our chickens see that we are well-fed, and we see that they are well-fed. Everyone is happy.

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missie October 18, 2010 at 2:49 pm

We love eggs here! You can do sooo many things with them!!

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Jessi October 18, 2010 at 2:53 pm

I want chickens so much!!!! Someday, when I have a real backyard, I will have chickens.

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Jupe B October 18, 2010 at 3:03 pm

“Cluck, cluck.” says the hen.
Urban chickens rule the roost.
No roosters allowed!

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Katy (another Katy in Portland) October 18, 2010 at 4:00 pm

Katy and other Portlanders,
Chicken on sale at New Seasons through tomorrow (Tuesday) for 99 cents a pound. (Please don’t put me on the list for the book – I have friends who supply me with all the delicious pastured eggs I can eat and I think they have the book already. So if I win, draw again and give someone else a chance).

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Ellen October 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm

We’re ready to move to a larger coop. The one we got free from craigslist is great while our young chickens (not even laying yet) are mostly free-ranging, but we are discovering that we need to limit their explorations a little bit, since they seem to prefer roosting on our backdoor.

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Sam Jones October 18, 2010 at 4:11 pm

I’ve had a small flock for 5 years now and they are the bright spot in my day. I love hearing them ‘sing’, and talk to one another. I’d sure love to have this book, the author is practically a neighbor of mine!

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Practical Parsimony October 18, 2010 at 4:13 pm

One of my four dear hens was murdered last night. Tonight, the remaining three are in a well-papered hamster cage, sleeping right inside the back door. You can read about it on my blog. I suppose I need the book since I learned something new about chickens and predators while I was pumping gas tonight. Oh, btw–Did you know hens can snore?

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Kristen October 18, 2010 at 5:21 pm

I’d love to have this book. I’ve long wanted to start keeping chickens, not just for the fresh eggs, but because they’re such fun–my MIL has a few and I love them.

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Pamkenn October 18, 2010 at 5:35 pm

I love eggs in lots of ways and dream of keeping chickens. This might help my dream come true!

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Nic October 18, 2010 at 5:40 pm

In a house full of males, my flock is my salvation! They hear my voice and come running, eager to partake in whatever kitchen scraps I have, or just to mill about as I hang clothes on the line.

I have had chickens for two years, and will expand my flock in the spring. I love watching my kids gather eggs, and their interactions with the girls.

I don’t need the book, I have my own Chicken Bible already. I just think it is great you are putting it out there for people to learn about and experiment with. My former coworkers love to buy my fresh eggs!

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KC October 18, 2010 at 5:50 pm

I would love this book! I’ve wanted chickens forever and especially since my husband and I bought our house a year ago. My dad has promised to build us a coop, but I need to learn more about taking care of them! My biggest hesitation so far has been that I’m not sure how my Jack Russell is going to react.

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Jessica October 18, 2010 at 6:05 pm

We’ve been considering gettings chickens (and goats though that’s not forthis post 🙂 ) and this could probably help us think about whether we could handle the responsibilities (we get a little lazy here) and how much time we might spend caring for them each day.

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Dynelle October 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm

My son has this book from the library and loves it! He has been lobbying for chickens for at least a year. . .and I think he may get his wish! (He loves all animals and would like one or two of each, please.) He would love to have this book for his very own.

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Jennifer October 18, 2010 at 6:58 pm

I hope to one day have chickens. This book can help me dream.

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Eva October 18, 2010 at 7:07 pm

We eat a lot of eggs. But they have to be the real deal. And that is pricey. I don’t see how I can grow my own grass-fed beef, but I do see how I can grow my own organic and all natural eggs. Now all I need is the book.

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Ellen October 18, 2010 at 7:20 pm

I had a pet chicken when I was a child that I raised from a chick. Her name was Chickenelli and she was tame and I loved her. Then one day “she” started crowing at four in the morning. I lived in surburban Miami and she had to go. It was the saddest day of my life up until that time. I’ve always dreamed of having a chicken again and would love to win an autographed copy of the book.

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Anne October 18, 2010 at 7:51 pm

I have such mixed feelings about getting chickens. One minute I’m all for it, then several hours later I’m not so sure anymore. My big concern is someone to care for them when we travel. I know my kids would love them, so we’ll see…

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Jenny, Plain and Simple Me October 19, 2010 at 4:43 pm

I wouldn’t worry too much about who will care for them. Lots of people will tend to your chickens if they get free eggs in return. We keep our miniflock in a moveable chicken ark. We have six chickens: Poochie, The Go Go, Goldie, Splash, Monkey, and White Out. We had tragically named, Hey Cupcake that ended up being a rooster–he had to move to a bigger farm. Our favorite hen, Goldie is a Buff Orpington. She is sweet, easy to handle and a great layer.

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Elisa October 18, 2010 at 8:24 pm

We get delicious eggs from our CSA farmer. I can’t eat the ones from the store anymore…

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J Urton October 18, 2010 at 9:16 pm

We just got our five backyard chicks in July. Still no eggs yet but I think we should start getting eggs in mid November when the 2 gold stars turn 20 weeks. The frizzled cochin and the 2 seramas will probably start laying in December when they are 6 months old. Anyway, my hubby got me Chicken for Dummies but I think this book would be a great addition to our library as we continue on this journey of backyard chicken keeping.

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Sue Smith October 18, 2010 at 10:05 pm

We have 6 laying hens at our B&B here in Kona Hawaii, and they are a kick! At the present time, Goldy is setting on 12 beautiful blue eggs trying to hatch them. She sneaked into the shrubs near the spa and laid her eggs one by one until she got the urge to incubate them. We finally found out where she was when we trimmed the plants. Not sure how long it will be for the chicks, but it takes 21 days to hatch from the time she stays on the nest continuously.

We also have 2 Rhode Island Reds, Penny and Sparkle, 1 black feral hen, Coffee, and 2 Auracana mix hens Bluta and Jenny. 2 lay big brown eggs, one lays a dark olive green egg, 2 lay white eggs, and Goldy is our blue egg layer.

I have many stories about my chickens, and we have a lot of fun with them. Aloha, Sue

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rose-red October 18, 2010 at 10:54 pm

I kept a few chickens in the early 1980’s as a city girl turned country girl experiment. I also had geese and ducks at the same time. Now again 25 years later I am thinking of yard chicken given the problems with commercial eggs and salmonella. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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Emily October 19, 2010 at 3:59 am

My 9 year old is determined that we will convert our potting-shed-turned-playhouse into a chicken coop. She hasn’t quite won me over.

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Bronwyn Hanley October 19, 2010 at 5:00 am

I want chickens!!!!! 🙂

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Mrs. B October 19, 2010 at 5:41 am

Sadly we are apartment living these days and can’t have chickens…or much of anything. Retirement is but a few short years away and then we will move to our property….which is 25 acres. I am learning about caring for all different animals and plants now so that when we get out there full time….I will be ready.

Thanks for having such great givaways.

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Maggie O. October 19, 2010 at 5:59 am

This reminds me of a joke… So a chicken walks into the library, goes up to the Librarian and says “book…book…book.” I can’t remember the entire punchline, but it’s something about her friend the frog saying “read-it…read-it…read-it.” Anyway, I’ve read-it and I’d like my own copy of the book…book…book, please! Thanks for the opportunity 🙂

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Jennifer Lorenzetti October 19, 2010 at 6:27 am

I would like to keep chickens, but I’m still trying to figure out if it is legal in our municipality. A girl can dream!

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Lynda October 19, 2010 at 8:07 am

I have 8 hens and one very handsome rooster. I’m now looking forward to some fluffy baby chicks!

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mamafitz October 19, 2010 at 8:15 am

someday, i hope to have chickens. they are illegal in my community, but many people are trying to change that. one can hope!

i LOVE eggs, they are one of my favorite foods.

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Jessica Wolk-Stanley October 19, 2010 at 9:48 am

I have no chickens, but our coolest friends do.
Some of the eggs come in such pretty colors too.
Urban homesteading is a fun way to have your own zoo.

Surely this qualifies me for this book?

Sincerely,
Jessica
YOUR BIG SISTER (and role model)

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Lindsay Hall October 19, 2010 at 11:40 am

I have 5 very very sweet chickens that my husband and I keep in our back yard. We have had them since March, when we got them in the mail as one day old chicks and they have grown into loving pets that lay us 5 eggs a day! there names are Penny, Holly, Maya, Lady, and Coco <3

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Robyn J. October 19, 2010 at 2:19 pm

I grew up with an “old school Grandma” that had abot 50 laying hens. My job after school was to go gather the eggs, which was like a daily Easter Egg hunt! Though most of my family members grumbled about it, I enjoyed taking care of them and knew that when I had my own place some day, I’d want chickens too!

Last spring I bought baby chicks and was excited to have my first egg crop this fall! Though I grew up around chickens, I really didn’t retain the knowlege that comes with the sole care and responsibility of raising them. Baby chicks require less care when you have the proper facility for them. (Lesson 1!) They also live longer when there isn’t a dog around (Lesson 2!) I have one chicken and one duck that made it through the summer. We just got our first egg last week and I’m telling you I haven’t been this excited since I had my last child! It seems like quite the miracle, since all of them could have perished in the dog attack. I had NO idea that one little egg would become such a symbol of success! I would greatly encourage anyone to bring home a chicken or two. There’s something very magical about the connection of caring for a creature that provides food naturally in return. I love being able to walk to my little chicken barn and find the place where “Camo” has laid her latest egg.

If you are thinking about becoming more self-sufficient and/or introducing healthier choices into your food chain, farm fresh eggs are a wonderful introduction. You’ll be able to tell a difference right away; the shells are much stronger, and the yolk more rich. In many cases, you’ll find these “cool chicks” make great pets!

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Jennifer October 19, 2010 at 3:58 pm

We really want chickens and have for years. my daughter is allergic to eggs, so that is holding me back. I think this might be the year though.

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Wendy Harrell October 19, 2010 at 5:44 pm

Ashley’s blog is wonderful and I would love to own her book! I am currently gathering supplies and knowledge to create my own flock. “Keeping Chickens” would greatly help me achieve my goal.

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Heather S October 19, 2010 at 7:16 pm

My sisters both have chickens, and I’m so jealous and want some of my own! I would love to win this, thanks for the opportunity to!

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Amber October 20, 2010 at 5:19 am

Ashley English is one of my reasons for swallowing all my fears and getting chickens! We bought 3 laying hens who’d not had a happy home, and now they are all feathered and fat and happy and so funny to watch! They lay big, beautiful brown eggs, each one a day! I love my biddies, and hope to free-range them one day…but there’s wandering dogs and hawks here… *sigh*

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Penelope October 20, 2010 at 7:11 am

Well since you mention chickens, I woke up like I’d been pushed off the bed this morning at 3:23 am. I’d been dreaming about chickens and that I’d found half my flock torn apart by raccoons, piles of feathers, odd limbs. It was really horrible. Then I thought about my real flock. Half of them sleep safely tucked away in the fancy new coop we just built for them but the other half refuses to go in for the night. Instead they roost in a pine tree. They get up too high for me to have any chance of catching them but I know that one night a raccoon will discover their secret and my dream will become reality.

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Ada October 20, 2010 at 7:54 am

We started a backyard flock this year. Love our three girls and they love us back with lots of eggs!

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Stephanie October 20, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Salem has just (finally!!) changed the statutes to allow backyard hens! I’m so excited & ready to learn all I can. Bring on the chicken book!

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Tammy S October 20, 2010 at 1:24 pm

I have always wanted to keep chickens. I just love the noises they make, except for the rooster! Just could not figure out how to go about it.
Thanks for the possibility!

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Carol October 20, 2010 at 4:33 pm

I’m so excited about winning this book! We just moved to an acreage with room for a large garden and chickens! The only problem is – I have no idea how to grow chickens!! I really need this book to educate myself on how to care for chickens and reap the rewards called organic eggs.

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Sarah H October 20, 2010 at 8:13 pm

My kids sell our eggs to their teachers at school. They are so popular that the hens can hardly keep up with the demand.

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Lilypad October 31, 2010 at 9:21 pm

I know it’s too late for the contest, but I have to share this story: we had chickens when I was a little kid back in the early ’70’s. We had 5 acres and no close neighbors, so we also had a noisy rooster. One of my most vivid memories is of that brightly-colored rooster, who was being carried by my dad, pooping all over my dad’s kelly green shirt! Now that I’m an old lady of 43, I would love to have chickens , so I could eat eggs again. I gave them up 3.5 years ago because of the way they are treated on most farms…hopefully we will be able to buy a bit of land and accomplish this before 1) I’m 50 and 2) my son (9) is not too cool and teen-agery to help me take care of them!

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