Chicken owners -- just in their Oregon backyard - Robert and
Hannah Litt were fascinated by the feral fowl they observed
in Hawaii. Escaping during storms, various breeds of
domestic chicken had hybridized with the local fowl and
were thriving running free. They decided that THE NEW RULES
OF THE ROOST would consist of helping their flock to live
naturally, given the constraints of suburban life and
predators. A ban on unnecessary antibiotics added impetus
to their quest for organic birds.
I enjoyed seeing the photos of various breeds living it up
in natural surroundings, with a chance to forage for food
rather than pecking it out of bowls on concrete. The Litts
recommend keeping a few different breeds together. Not only
does this make for an attractive flock, it can extend the
laying season and with differently colored eggs produced,
the owner can see which breeds lay better. To stop hens
flying away, they demonstrate how to clip the long wing
feathers.
Gorgeous color photos show us the golden Orpington, copper
Rhode Island Red, and brindled Plymouth Rock, among others.
The family plan to keep a few rooster chicks until old
enough to mate, after which they will be chopped or
relocated because cities have ordinances against noisy
rooster-keeping. The Litt daughters may have a strong say
in what happens to the birds. Ideally the family hopes to
rear a few clutches a season, without irritating the
neighbors (again).
The book goes into detail about the experiments the Litts
have tried with biochar, coconut shell fiber in the
brooder, new nipple waterers which keep drinking water
clean for chicks and more. Completely free ranging chickens
did not work, for reasons involving hygiene, uprooted
bushes, and dog attacks. A run of some sort is needed. But
the flocks they met while delivering feed to customers,
convinced them that a small range with accumulation of
pests and antibiotic resistant germs was not conducive to
viable flocks. They now say that the birds need as big a
range as possible. Other tips which make a lot of sense,
include when adding a new bird, to introduce her to one
quiet bird first so she has an ally, and to distract the
flock with a bale of straw and corncobs.
Birds penned in barns, technically not caged, are bored, so
the Litts provide ideas for boredom busters. Then how to
reduce rodents, and deter predators including the racoon.
The later half of the book gives much technical advice on
equipment, feeds, why hens are not laying, medications,
diseases, end of life, and further resources, all of which a
potential chicken owner should consider before acquiring a
flock. The Litts tell us that a US Department of
Agriculture survey found four percent of people with no
chickens, planned to start keeping them. That's a lot of
hens! THE NEW RULES OF THE ROOST will get you off to a
great start.
New from Robert and Hannah Litt—the authors of the bestselling A Chicken in Every Yard—comes a hardworking guide to backyard chicken keeping that goes beyond the basics. The New Rules of the Roost addresses the real problems that crop up when keeping chickens long term. The Litts cover a wide range of topics including organic health remedies and disease prevention, pest management, organic nutrition, the best breeds for specific needs, and the simplest options for daily maintenance and feeding. You'll also learn tips and tricks for introducing new birds into your flock, managing aggressive behavior, caring for mature chickens, and much more.
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