DIY Chicken Keeping from Fresh Eggs Daily: 40+ Projects for the Coop, Run, Brooder, and More!

by Lisa Steele

Build a better life for your chickens! Join Lisa Steele, chicken keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, to learn how to build just about everything you might need for your coop, run, or farmhouse kitchen. Whether you're a DIY novice looking for an easy win or a more experienced builder looking for chicken-specific projects, you've come to the right place!

The chapters are packed with a variety of ideas, covering every skill level:

• The Basics: Lisa will tell you what tools you absolutely need, the ins and outs of pallets, and a few special skills, like how to transfer lettered designs to wood.
• Quick and Easy Projects: Get started with projects that take minutes or hours, not days! From a decorative cutting board coop sign and paned window coop mirror to more functional projects like a clothespin herb drying rack and dropping board, you're sure to find the right starter project. 
• Handy Projects: Ready to take on a slightly more challenging build? Try the removable coop ladder roost, boot tree stand, feed dolly, chick-sized jungle gym, or chicken-proof herb garden.
• Pallet Projects: What's better than DIY projects? DIY projects made from free wood! Use pallets in all forms (whole, partial, and boards) for the projects in this chapter. Make a coop tool holder, chick roosting bar, swinging bench, feeding station, coop shutters, compost bin, and so much more.
• Weekend Projects: More time doesn't necessarily mean frustrating or too difficult. The ambitious, yet easy-to-follow, projects in this chapter include a sliding barn coop door, a-frame integration pen, and a roadside egg stand.

No matter what you need for the coop—or what your chickens might want you to build first!—you're sure to have fun as you create a coop and run that's the envy of your neighbor's flock.

• ISBN13: 9780760366448
• Publish Date: 11 February 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Quarry Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 160
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

DIY Chicken Keeping Projects from Fresh Eggs Daily is a new tutorial and project book for DIY enthusiasts by Lisa Steele. This is a nice follow up to her last DIY chicken hacks book and a fun addition to the flock-keeper's library. Due out 11th Feb 2020 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The logical format is appealing and easy to understand. The author has a breezy chatty style of writing that is more conversational and encouraging than dry and strictly instructional. Reading the book felt more like a cup of tea and long chat with a good friend than a classroom lecture. That really appealed to me. The introduction includes some background for writing the book which segues into a discussion of tools and supplies and safety.

The projects are roughly grouped thematically: quick & easy, handy/labor saving, pallet projects/upcycling, and weekend projects. The projects are rated by difficulty (1-3 eggs) and include an introduction, materials & tools lists (in US standard measures), pictures and tutorial directions. Many of them also include extra tips in colored sidebars. The instructions are well written and easy to follow.

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 appealing. Would make a nice gift for a beginning backyard chicken-herder (or soon-to-be).

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.