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A review by alongapath
Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them by Tove Danovich
4.0
How could I resist another book about chicken-keeping? I'm powerless!
Danovich and I would get along famously. I spend a lot of time telling others about my flock of 12 and trying to show them that chickens are truly pets. Some come when they're called, some like to play games with me, some hop on my lap for early morning snuggles and some come right over to tell me that they are sick or scared. Danovich has the same experiences with her flock and is spreading the word with her cute, touching and devastating tales of chicken-keeping.
Sandwiched in between all the stories, Danovich digs into the world of chickens - from visiting a hatchery to attending a chicken-fancier show, from tracing the history of industrialized egg and meat production to the perils of being an unwanted rooster in a hen's world.
Although the deep dives into these areas was comprehensive and informative, it felt too much like a textbook required reading. Frankly I was bored and wanted to get back to the cute stories again.
I suppose that this ⬆️ is exactly the problem with educating people about chickens. Most people don't want to be schooled in the dark side of industrial animal agriculture and just want to be surprised and entertained by the funny antics of this atypical pet as they ask for a second helping of wings.
This is a great read for anyone - whether you watch regular episodes of 'Chicken TV' from your porch or prefer your chicken with hot sauce and football.
Danovich doesn't lecture or try to persuade you to become vegan. She simply gives a window into the lives of the most populous animal on the planet.
Danovich and I would get along famously. I spend a lot of time telling others about my flock of 12 and trying to show them that chickens are truly pets. Some come when they're called, some like to play games with me, some hop on my lap for early morning snuggles and some come right over to tell me that they are sick or scared. Danovich has the same experiences with her flock and is spreading the word with her cute, touching and devastating tales of chicken-keeping.
Sandwiched in between all the stories, Danovich digs into the world of chickens - from visiting a hatchery to attending a chicken-fancier show, from tracing the history of industrialized egg and meat production to the perils of being an unwanted rooster in a hen's world.
Although the deep dives into these areas was comprehensive and informative, it felt too much like a textbook required reading. Frankly I was bored and wanted to get back to the cute stories again.
I suppose that this ⬆️ is exactly the problem with educating people about chickens. Most people don't want to be schooled in the dark side of industrial animal agriculture and just want to be surprised and entertained by the funny antics of this atypical pet as they ask for a second helping of wings.
This is a great read for anyone - whether you watch regular episodes of 'Chicken TV' from your porch or prefer your chicken with hot sauce and football.
Danovich doesn't lecture or try to persuade you to become vegan. She simply gives a window into the lives of the most populous animal on the planet.