WHAT THE CHICKEN KNOWS A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird

Sy Montgomery is so joyful and enthusiastic while describing her adventures with her flock of chickens that listeners will want to stroke a hen and pick up a rooster just to participate in her positive view of the world. Montgomery is keenly observant and curious. She calls her chickens "the ladies," and she recognizes each hen's individual call and personality. She also cites studies demonstrating chicken intelligence but notes they will also mercilessly peck at an injured member of their flock. Montgomery's desire to restore the natural landscape can collide with her love for her chickens whenever a repopulated critter kills one. Her mixed emotions are obvious: She can't bring herself to be angry at a natural predator, yet she feels forlorn. A.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]