Best book on chickens

"Chickens: Their Natural and Unnatural Histories" written by Janet Lembke reveals her personal curiosity and affection for the chicken. Much of the book is organized like a reference book, making it easy for tweens to read about the role that the chicken played through history.

Lembke takes the reader in and out of some complex details about the chicken in such a way that the reader is entertained. It’s got everything from humor, personal testimonies, pictures and diagrams, to scientific and biological facts, old anecdotes, and new information based on the recent increase in urban chicken-keeping.

"Whether you have chickens, have considered keeping chickens, just enjoy reading about the curiosities of something as simple as barnyard fowl, or you just enjoy a delicious chicken dinner, you will get a kick out of the interesting facts you will learn in this easy read," Lauri Hurd, book review feature writer.

This lively book includes facts and fiction about the cock, eggs, housing, keeping, feeding, chickens in stories and art, and even includes old and new recipes. Lembke points out that some natural, regional chicken species have remained consistent through history, but many unnatural breeds have been developed through history to meet human needs. It was an easy, entertaining read. You can jump around or skip the end of one of the history chapters and not miss out on anything.

Published in October 2012 by Skyhorse Publishing, "Chickens: Their natural and unnatural histories" is available online.

Special thank you to Lauri Hurd for reviewing this book for Parenting Tweens Examiner.