Gaye Levy
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One of my dreams is to someday own a small flock of chickens. I would tend to the flock myself and have plenty of fresh, wholesome eggs to serve for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. Thus is the dream and I admit that it is more fantasy than reality. But heck? You never know, right?
With that introduction, I present the next entry in Backdoor Survival Prepper Book Festival 9. Chickens from Scratch: Raising Your Own Chickens from Hatch to Egg Laying and Beyond is a book about raising chickens the old fashioned way. Sound interesting?
Janet Garman, the author of Chickens from Scratch, is here to answer a round of interview questions and also to award one lucky reader with a copy of her book.
Enjoy the interview then be sure to check in below to learn about the giveaway.
An Interview with Janet Garman, Author of Chickens From Scratch
Tell me about your book. What is it about?
Chickens from Scratch is a book that walks the new or inexperienced chicken owner through the first year, from hatching or purchasing, up to egg laying and beyond.
The book was designed to cover the basics with out overwhelming the reader with so many what if type scenarios, that they would not want to try raising chickens. Going back to our roots of backyard chicken keeping, learning what the chicks need to get a good healthy start and how to set up shelter, food, and care routines, is the backbone of the book.
What type of research did you have to do while writing your book?
I used to be part owner of a local feed store. We carried live chicks for many months of the year.
The book was an answer to many of the types of questions the customers had. I wanted to make it seem like an attainable goal.
Every book, fiction and non-fiction, includes a message. What message do you hope my readers will take with them after reading your book?
My message throughout the book is that sticking to the basics will help you raise the chickens naturally, and they will give you healthy food as a result.
Reminding people that we are really only one or two generations away from people who lived an agrarian lifestyle is an important factor. We can return to this way of life. It is not hard and not out of reach. So many people are using chicken keeping as a way to get back in touch with where our food comes from. Eggs and chicken meat are excellent sources of healthy protein.
How long did it take to write?
Chickens from Scratch took me about a year to write.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
I grew up in the suburbs in New Jersey. No one in my family was interested in keeping any type of livestock and even vegetable gardening was not a big interest, although my dad did help us plant some tomato plants now and then. I was determined to learn all I could about farm animals and have a degree in animal science from the University of Maryland.
During the time that my husband and I were raising our children, we decided to use the family property for farming and began our homestead plans. Our children may not choose this way of life but they were brought up to know how to garden and how to care for livestock.
As an author in the survival, prepping and/or homesteading niche, what are you personally preparing for?
As far as prepping for the unknown, we feel being of the homestead mind set, we are prepared for long and short term disruptions in society. We are largely self sustaining and have the skills necessary to live without conveniences if necessary.
Do you have plans for another book?
I do have plans to finish another more general homesteading book in the next year. I am also dabbling in some children’s books featuring farming themes.
Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?
I never saw a future with me being a published author! I am so very grateful for the wonderful reviews and to each person who has purchased a copy of my book. Being open to the opportunities that God has to offer can lead to some amazing journeys through life. I am always looking for those new paths to test out.
The Giveaway
Janet has reserved a copy of Chickens from Scratch for this Book Festival Giveaway.
The deadline is 6:00 PM Pacific Tuesday with the winner notified by email and announced on the Rafflecopter in the article. Please note that the winner must claim their book within 48 hours or an alternate will be selected.
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The Final Word
Owning backyard farm animals,large or small, is a responsibility, and while the rewards can be great, there is also a bit of sacrifice in terms of time, attention, and even money. Before embarking on such a venture, it is wise to read up and educate yourself. If you know someone who raises animals for food, take advantage of the knowledge they have and offer to help with the chores so you get a feel for what might be involved.
In addition, if it is chickens you desire, decide up front whether you will be raising chickens for eggs, meat or both. Then go in with your eyes wide open and embrace this bit of self-sufficiency with gusto.
I hope you will to enter the giveaway to win a copy of Chickens from Scratch. You will find it easy to read, informative, and the perfect answer to the question “How to raise chickens when you are just getting started.” In the meantime, I will keep dreaming!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Spotlight: Chickens from Scratch: Raising Your Own Chickens from Hatch to Egg Laying and Beyond
Raising chickens the old-fashioned way will be enjoyable and rewarding once you learn the basics. In Chickens from Scratch you will learn how and where to purchase your chicks, how to house, feed, and care for them, and ultimately how to enjoy the delicious fresh eggs the chickens will provide for your family.
The author, Janet Garman, raises chickens and many other farm animals on their family homestead in Maryland. She and her husband have raised their family and grown their farm while running a family business, being a farm store owner, and teaching chicken-care classes in the community.
Plus: The Preppers Guide to Food Storage
No list of books would be complete without my own book, The Prepper’s Guide to Food Storage. The eBook print version is available.
Help support Backdoor Survival. Purchases earn a small commission and for that I thank you!
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42 Responses to “Prepper Book Festival 9: Chickens From Scratch”
We live on 4 acres at the edge of a small village. We are allowed chickens in the village and are just getting ready to prepare for chickens in the spring. We already have rabbits and had a huge garden this year.
Some day I will get back to being able to raise again…
My dream is to be able to grow most of my own fruits and vegetables. I have been trying for several years now, but my black thumb is a definite hindrance. I will keep trying, though. (I do have chickens!)
My dream would be to be able to raise chickens, rabbits, and some type of fish through aquaculture or in a pond. That dream isn’t possible as long as we live where we have HOA restrictions. I don’t really want to move, so eventually, maybe there can be a change in the HOA restrictions (You did say dream!).
I would love to have chickens but living in the city is preventing that for now.
I have a small flock of chickens. It is my dream to move once my children graduate high school, to a place where I can have a few acres and a large flock of chickens and maybe a goat or two and some rabbits!
I have always wanted to own and raise chickens. Up until now I have not been able to as my neighbors own bird dogs that like to eat chickens. However I will be moving in November and plan to get chickens in the spring! I cannot wait!
This would be a great source of info! Thanks for the chance to win it.
I did a bit of research, found that I could have chickens in our little ‘burb but not roosters. However, we own a purebred beagle-turned-pet, and I think he’d stress the girls out so much that they wouldn’t produce. So until our beloved pet crosses the rainbow bridge, I will have to continue to dream about having chickens. So I’ll keep buying local eggs, and continue to read and research raising them myself. Janet’s book would be a wonderful resource.
Thanks for the giveaway!!