Hen And The Art Of Chicken Maintenance: Reflections On Raising Chickens

by Martin Gurdon

James Herriot meets Bill Bryson in this hilarious account of one man''s relationship with his chickens.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Humor, Gardening

152 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Martha☀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the reviews that say this is hilarious, I didn't find it so funny. As with most pet antics, my own flock of chickens provides far more amusement than this light little read did. And where are the photos? What good are tales of the failing hen house, Mrs. Brown's generous backside and a chicken named Bald Bird if you don't have photographic proof? Told in a very British way, much of the hilarity in this book went over my head.

[Sophie Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has that great combination of humour, education and personal anecdote, Simultaneously a warning away from and an invitation to chicken keeping, this is a fun afternoon read with witty insights into the author's experience of poultry.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a love letter to chickens- sound odd? It may be, but to anyone who starts the chicken-keeping process, it's a normal part of raising those cute fluffy babies into full grown hens (before you realize the less pleasing parts of being a responsible chicken-keeper and vow not to get too attached.)

Chickens are more interesting, funny, and individual than one might think- and that essence is captured perfectly in this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forget how I came to hear about this enticingly titled book about chickens. It was a laugh out loud read. The anecdotes of endless garden consuming and expensive chicken house construction, hen's inhumanity(?) to hen, and multitudinous costly ailments worked effectively to put me off another variety of pet.

[Tory Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me LAUGH and LAUGH. I think it would appeal to everyone, chicken owners or not. I was faintly alarmed by his rough, tough, fighty chickens - I own chickens and mine all get along very well with none of the foul-temperedness that some of Martin's chooks exhibit Well worth a read.

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

written by an amusing British author, chronicling his chickens' escapades. Having names like 'satan', 'bald bird', 'baggy chicken', 'psycho' - this gives you an idea. I just can't figure out why his hens are so dysfunctional.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing and entertaining little book. We kept chickens for many years and I can relate to many of his stories. Not exactly a work of high end literature but worth a read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the new edition of this book which is 190 pages not 160. Someone might want to fix that.

Hen... was an okay read. Some passages were funny enough to read to others. Some details were a bit obscure even for me the proud owner of a dozen spoiled laying hens. I was hoping for some insight into raising chickens. There was a little, but not much. It isn’t a bad book, just okay. Likeable enough, but not super engaging. I do not think you will feel sorry for reading it should you choose to, but there are so many book options, this should not be a top choice unless you are devouring books about chickens.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the title was pretty clever. I assume it is a play on words on the famous book called: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I don't think many people are picking up on this. Maybe because I am 67 years old and have been around for a long time. I enjoyed this book. I was surprised that they kept wasting their money on going back to see the vet. From everything I have ever read you are basically throwing your money away when you take a chicken to a vet. Probably get better results taking your chicken to a psychic. (kidding)

[Jenny Sarı · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book to read on holiday, while away from all of my chickens.... and I just couldn't put it down, so funny.. going to have to read some more of Martin Gurdon's books as I like the way he has written this book.

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting tidbits here, but I found myself wanting to rewrite the whole thing. With such a great title, I expected great chicken storytelling. Instead, it was often incongruous, sometimes illogical, and there was quite a lot of negative sarcasm to wade through.

[Lorrie Newmister · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining, loved the anecdotes the best.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous look at an urban couple and their journey with chickens. Funny and practical.

[Joyce Himmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!! For chicken lovers and actually anyone It is funny, sad and just plain enjoyable. It is a quick easy, read. Don’t miss it.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read. Pretty cute.

[C is for **censored** · Rating 3 out of 5]

The star rating given reflects my opinion within ‘the official goodreads rating system’.

1 star: Didn’t Like it
2 stars: It’s Okay
3 stars: Liked it
4 stars: Really Liked it
5 stars: It Was Amazing

I don’t really give a rat-fuck that there are some who think I ‘owe’ an explanation for my opinion. Nope, nada, and not sorry about it.

Sometimes I may add notes to explain what my opinions are based on, and sometimes I don’t. I do this for me, on my books, in my library and I don’t ‘owe’ any special snowflakes a thing. Fuck off if you don’t like it and stop reading my shit.

Particularly given the ‘modifications’ to reader’s personal content going on (and outright censorship), unless particularly motivated I will not comment in detail.

It would help if GR was forthcoming in the new ‘appropriate’ and would make a site-wide announcement delineating the new focus from a reader-centric site to one that is now for authors and selling.

[Wendee Radmall]

The subtitle states, "Reflections on Raising Chickens." This has some comical accounts of the author's experiences with chickens. It has me laughing and is timely since I just bought my first set of hens.
Here's an excerpt for you: "Had Ethel been human, she would have worn tweeds, had blue-rinsed hair and been keen on blood sports. She was a control freak who would stomp around the run letting everyone else know that in life's pecking order they were there to be pecked. Egg-laying appeared to b e something she did under sufferance--it got in the way of eating or yanking the feathers out of somebody else's neck."

I have learned a lot about raising chickens--and had a good time reading it!

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a blast to read. Written by a British author with the typical very sarcastic and colorful sense of humor - there were many very funny passages (James Herriott meets Bill Bryson). It chronicles a couple's adventures with adding chickens to their urban backyard and the ensuing garden- and neighbor-related disasters. I didn't learn much I don't already know, but I didn't expect to; I was actually surprised to learn a few things I did NOT know, e.g. it is actually possible for a hen to change genders if there isn't a rooster in the flock (I knew they might start to crow, but not that they could undergo a full-fledged sex change!). I recommend it for anyone even moderately interested in animals, gardening, or just a funny read. It is a very short book.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hilarious book about raising chickens in rural England. Gurdon's sense of humor killed me: very dry, very blunt, very British. I found myself laughing out-loud frequently. It's not good for a manual on keeping a backyard flock, as the information on the "how to" of raising chickens is sparse, but it's great for a glimpse into the real-life experience of keeping chickens; the ups and the downs. It isn't something we have the time for now in our lives, but keeping our own chickens is definitely an adventure I'd love to have someday down the road. Even if you aren't interested in keeping chickens but want a nice, light and extremely funny read, go for it!

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a quick read and wildly sentimental, but I loved this heartwarming and amusing book about raising backyard chickens. The author is British, which means he uses language I find charming - their slang is so cute across the pond! His stories of his many hens (and the occasional roosters) brought to mind the chickens my family had when I was a child. I named them and cuddled them too, chickens really do make great pets. His book is informative as well, I learned a number of things I never knew about chickens and their upkeep. Now I want to read his second book, Travels With Chicken.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this little book! I keep three hens myself and it was a joy to read a book about day to day life with them, rather than how to guides! Alot of the anecdotes were familiar and i chuckled along, the only reason i didn't give this book 5 stars was because i wanted more. I know Martin has written a further book and i will be visiting the library for a copy, but i would have loved for this book to have been twice as long!!!!

[Amy Ludlam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely humorous look at living with chickens as a pet/hobby. This was a wonderful book and a fast read for something light and upbeat. The antics of the chickens and the reactions of the author to the antics were priceless and very laughable.

I recommend this to anyone who needs a quick upbeat and fast read!

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might have the worst title of all time. However I loved every minute of it. I giggled uncontrollably more than once while reading it, once on the bus. Mr Gurdon captures the personalities of his hens incredibly well. I suppose the audience for this book is pretty limited, but that title isn't helping anyone.

[Annamarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a book I accidently got and decided to read anyway. It turned out to be funny for the first few chapters. About three fourths of the way through the author lost his direction and didn't know what to write anymore or how to end it.

[Ruthanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love chickens and have them as pets (or want to have them as pets), then this is a great book. If you don't love chickens or have any desire to have them as pets, this book will seem ridiculous to you. I love chickens and have 2 as pets. Like the author, I could watch my chickens all day...

[Abby]

I got this for the self-conciously amusing title, and that's pretty much what the rest of the book was like too. However, I liked Chapter 11, which was a humorous history of the chicken's relationship to humanity. It would make an interesting essay.

[Keith Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining look at raising chickens. I probably wouldn't have read this one but I had bought "Travels with my chicken" at the library book sale and they had this one on the shelves so I checked it out. It goes quickly and isn't the sort of book you run across every day.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet memoir of what it's like to raise chickens from a novice chicken farmer. I'm sort of a chicken nut-I think they're beautiful and I have 27 of my own at the present time.

[Kristeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was given to me as a gift.. very cute. Recommend to anyone who has raised chickens.

[Betsie Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the humor and style of this book... instructional, but written in an anecdotal style ... and hilarious