annieb123
Written on Jan 20, 2019
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.