Discover how to become a successful backyard chicken keeper and embrace the joys of the "Chicken Lady" life The Chicken Ladies' Guide to Life with Chickens introduces new chicken keepers to the practical knowledge and tools needed to build a strong foundation and keep a productive flock of laying hens--enabling you to unleash your inner Chicken Lady! Holly Callahan-Kasmala and Chrisie DiCarlo, hosts of the beloved Coffee with the Chicken Ladies podcast, guide readers through the entire process, from sourcing chicks to caring for aging senior hens, along with information on basic chicken anatomy and nutritional needs, empowering you to make informed decisions about your birds. Chicken keeping is not one size fits all. Offering decades of experience and knowledge, Holly and Chrisie emphasize preparation and thinking ahead to avoid some of the most common chicken-keeping mistakes. They share tips, tricks, and insights for everyone interested in raising chickens--whether you have a backyard area, an urban rooftop coop, or a small farmstead. This book is also about celebrating the relationships between chicken keepers and their flocks as you discover just how special and rewarding this lifestyle can be. Chapters feature: Chicken FAQs The pros and cons of roosters Basic flock behavior and pecking order A 10-point chicken health exam and how to set up a chicken hospital Remarkable chicken ladies in history, from Queen Victoria to Lisa Steele to modern-day breed conservators Tips for chicken-themed decor 10 recipes for using your fresh eggs And more!
Holly Callahan-Kasmala and Chrisie DiCarlo are the creators and cohosts of the Coffee with the Chicken Ladies podcast. Best friends for more than forty years, they have worked side by side throughout their lives and started the podcast to help chickens and their people navigate their lives together. By applying their own decades of experience and helping their listeners through all kinds of chicken care situations, they distill the basic, practical information that beginning chicken keepers need to succeed. Holly grew up on a horse farm and has a lifetime of experience caring for livestock. She has kept chickens for more than twenty-two years and shares her wealth of practical experience with chicken keepers of all levels. She also holds a MA in historical studies and specializes in livestock history. Holly worked as Assistant Curator of Manuscripts at the Johns Hopkins University Archives and as the Local History and Genealogy Librarian at the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Her love of history, poultry, and meticulous research combine to add depth and historical context to all aspects of chicken keeping. She lives in Millers, Maryland. Chrisie spent fifteen years as a vet tech/trauma nurse and client educator in a busy urban Baltimore City animal hospital. Her experience working with both clients and staff makes her uniquely qualified to help chicken keepers understand anatomy and care of backyard chickens. Chrisie guided her daughters through raising their first chickens together, giving her valuable insight into the benefits of chicken chores on children's development. In addition, twelve years with her own flock of chickens brings added layers of experience to her writing. She lives in Fallston, Maryland.
"Chrisie and Holly are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to chicken keeping and their book will be an invaluable resource to both new and experienced chicken owners. This book is such an enjoyable read, and I am so excited that so much practical and useful information is now available in one place. I have learned so much from Chrisie and Holly and am honored to call them friends. I never expected to fall in love with chickens, and a life with chickens is one I would choose over and over again."--Dr. Rebecca Gounaris, avian veterinarian, Pleasantville Animal Hospital "I've known Chrisie and Holly for years, and been a guest on their podcast several times, and each time I feel like I'm picking their brains more than they pick mine! They are such a wealth of expert knowledge in a sea of so much misinformation that's out there these days. I love that they understand the science and the 'why' behind the way we raise our flocks, and I am so excited that they have written this book that includes all of that knowledge. Containing not only everything a beginning chicken keeper needs to know to get started with a backyard flock, but also tons of fun facts, history, and breed information that will serve to enhance the reader's chicken keeping journey, this book is a must-read for anyone raising chickens."--Lisa Steele, author and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily "They're called The Chicken Ladies for a reason: because they truly know their stuff. The lovable Chrisie and Holly share decades of chicken knowledge in one incredible resource designed to help you raise happy, healthy chickens. Packed with practical tips and in-depth information, this book is a must-have for every chicken owner."--Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn, authors of Small-Scale Homesteading "This book feels like coffee with your favorite Chicken Ladies--smart, funny, and overflowing with love for beautiful eggs and the joy of chicken keeping. It captures exactly what makes Chrisie and Holly special: solid, thoughtful chicken care, layered with humor, history, and genuine Chicken Lady heart. All delivered like guidance from trusted friends who truly understand their birds."--Giene Keyes, author of Click with your Chick "The Chicken Ladies' Guide to Life with Chickens blends heartfelt, practical wisdom with real-world expertise that makes every page genuinely useful. Holly and Chrisie's deep knowledge of flock health, behavior, and everyday management shines through, offering guidance that both new and seasoned chicken keepers can trust. As someone who lives and breathes backyard poultry, I found myself learning and smiling all the way through. A must-read for anyone raising backyard chickens!"--Mark Eggers, Backyard Poultry Innovation Lead, Nutrena Feeds, Cargill, Inc.
