The Chicken Encyclopedia: An Illustrated Reference

by Gail Damerow

From addled to wind egg and crossed beak to zygote, the terminology of everything chicken is demystified in The Chicken Encyclopedia . Complete with breed descriptions, common medical concerns, and plenty of chicken trivia, this illustrated A-to-Z reference guide is both informative and entertaining. Covering tail types, breeding, molting, communication, and much more, Gail Damerow provides answers to all of your chicken questions and quandaries. Even seasoned chicken farmers are sure to discover new information about the multifaceted world of these fascinating birds.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Animals, Gardening

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2012

About the author

Gail Damerow and her husband operate a family farm in Tennessee where they keep poultry and dairy goats, tend a sizable garden, and maintain a small orchard. They grow and preserve much of their own food, make their own yogurt and ice cream, and bake their own bread. Gail has written extensively on raising livestock, growing fruits and vegetables, and related rural skills. She shares her experience and knowledge as a regular contributor to Backyard Poultry and Countryside magazines, as an occasional contributor to numerous other periodicals, and as the author or contributor to more than a dozen country skills how-to books.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more pictures and detail about specific breeds.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Storey Publishing. Great reference source but also extremely readable.

[Sorrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it like a novel soon after getting chickens. Very informative!

[raccoon reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not a light reading book. This is more a ref book to have in your home. Very thorough on every word you could think of though not always the way I would have liked them listed (as a librarian I would have liked a few more "For xxxx see yyyy" because I'd turn and think they didn't have a topic only to find it under a different letter because they added a word I didn't think to or a completely different word I didn't know.

You can't just sit down and read this either. That's what I thought when I brought it home to learn about chickens. Def a reference type book, not a read straight through book. I'm having to return it to the library because it's due and I don't know that I'd buy a copy but it was useful to check out and peruse through. For a more serious hobby farmer this might be a good ref book to own... not sure. I don't actually have my chickens yet so it's a little like "I think this would be useful???"

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chicken Encyclopedia: An Illustrated Reference by Gail Damerow comes out in a couple of weeks. As the title implies, it's written in encyclopedia/dictionary format with topics alphabetized. It may seem strange to sit down to read an encyclopedia for entertainment puposes (unless you share genes with me), but I found the book to be quite informative and enjoyable to read. As someone interested in raising our own chickens for both eggs and meat, to live more sustainably and to have healthier food, this was a great place for me to start. I knew quite a bit about chickens to begin with, but I quickly realized there were many fascinating things I hadn't known. With beautiful full color pictures and an easy to read format, the book is a must read to the new chicken fancier.

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you like chickens? I like chickens a lot! This book has a lot of information on chickens, but it's all alphabetized and sometimes the subject headings are not that intuitive. Also, I wish the index were more comprehensive and thorough. It's not the only book on chickens that you will ever need (then again maybe you don't need any books on chickens) but if you are just browsing it will keep you amused.

The illustrations are gorgeous though.

[Skyqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just lovely. Set up in the alphabetized way just like an encylopedia. Doh! But I am reading through like a novel. Nice depth of detail for beginner to intermediate and I'm still in the A's. Fun. Too bad there are not sounds to go with it since it refers to certain clucks for certain situations.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative and the individual sections that provide more details about topics such as roosting, specific breed, etc were great. But, since this book is an 'encyclopedia' where topics are in alphabetical order, I didn't like reading in this format; I prefer reading in chapters. (The husband bought this book.)

[Fernleaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book to have if you have chickens (aside from Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens) this illustrated encyclopedia will answer a lot of questions you do have, and a fair few that you didn't even know to ask.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was given to me as a birthday goof - I love the book! It is bright, colorful, easy to read and actually interesting. It will remain in my personal reference library for casual reading. If you like chickens like I do, you will love this book. Enjoy!

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true encyclopedia of chicken biology, behavior and all the rest. I had fun looking up words I had never heard before and the images were neat and sometimes gross but it is the real deal - an encyclopedia. I borrowed this book from my local library.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as a reference book or just to read cover to cover. It has a lot of information written in an accessible way with great illustrations and photos.

[Brittany Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved having this book. my son picked it out for me and I read it cover to cover. it had a few things that other poultry books missed and is a valuable book to have around.

[Bobby Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my chritmas prresent & I love it :) !

[Joshua Gillespie]

This book is perfect for the beginner of owning chickens. This book has everything from buying chickens to owning chickens. The book is classified by letter hence the name, but it's really a interesting read. I enjoy birds and I learned a lot from this book. This book can help you out in as many ways as you need help. I'm really happy I read this. I learned a lot. I diffidently recommend this book even if you think you know all about chickens. I'm sure you will learn something.