This comprehensive book contains all the information that you need in order to start keeping poultry. A buyer's guide shows what features to look for in healthy poultry, and essential information is provided on good poultry husbandry to ensure optimum welfare. A beautifully illustrated guide to poultry breeds of the world follows. Each breed is illustrated with a lavish photograph, and detailed text describes the breed type and characteristics. A final chapter looks at popular goose, duck and turkey breeds. If you are interested in keeping chickens in the back yard, selling eggs for profit, or exhibiting pure breeds, this is the perfect book for you. Fred Hams started his own poultry farm in 1960. He has served on the Ministry of Agriculture's Genetic Resources Committee and is a founding member of the Rare Poultry Society. He is a National Championship Judge, helped start the poultry fanciers magazine Fancy Fowl, and is a consultant to the best-selling Practical Poultry magazine