When we first ventured into raising chickens, we were blessed with a wonderful homesteading neighbor. When any questions came up or we weren't sure what to do, we just walked across to Paula's house for guidance! For those not lucky enough to have such a neighbor, I wholeheartedly recommend the DVD Beginner's Guide to Raising and Showing Chickens produced by www.chickenvideo.com.
I think it's safe to say that this DVD assumes no prior knowledge of how to care for chickens. It shows how to put together a safe, inexpensive enclosure for new chicks and even how to unpack them properly from the shipping box. Every facet of their care is covered, with straightforward, simple narration and video portrayals worth more than the proverbial thousand words.
The DVD also identifies potential health problems and offers guidance on how to deal with them. Again, the video footage is most helpful. If you never knew how to bathe a chicken or dust it for mites, you will after watching this DVD!
A segment at the end deals with butchering. It is very graphic, and I appreciated the warning issued in the movie before moving into that chapter. The viewer is advised of the graphic content to follow and is assured that there are no chicken-raising tips unrelated to butchering that they will miss if they choose not to watch this section. However, for those who do wish to butcher, it is an excellent step-by-step explanation of the process, again complete with a thorough video presentation of an actual butchering.
While the DVD contains all the information needed to successfully raise a backyard dual-purpose flock, it also focuses heavily on chicken showmanship. With significant contributions from experts in the field, the DVD addresses in great detail how to get started in showing chickens. Narration and video cover each step, from selecting a breed and bird to proper protocol during showing. For youngsters interested in showing chickens or bantams for 4H, this is an invaluable resource. About 90 minutes long, the DVD is filled with relevant and accurate information, presented in an easy-to-understand format. It really is a complete Beginner's Guide to Raising and Showing Chickens.
© copyright May 2007
Product review by Eleanor Joyce, Contributing Writer, HomesteadBlogger.com
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