Approximately 13% of U.S. households keep chickens as pets, with an average of 5 chickens per household. That's an estimated 85 million backyard chickens currently kept by Americans. The increase in chicken-keeping stems from many sources, including the pandemic to celebrities backing the trend. If you are interested in keeping chickens, or these birds in general, the library has resources and upcoming programs that can help.
The Cone Park Branch will be hosting UF IFAS on Thursday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. for a program about Embryology.
What is chicken embryology?
4-H Embryology teaches students about embryos and their development. Students hatch chicks in the classroom and witness the exciting miracle of life. Students take the responsibilities of caring for the fertilized eggs and then the chicks after they have hatched. Following each session, the hatched birds are given to local farmers or adopted out to students. (UF IFAS)
- Children's Books About Chickens & Eggs
Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman
Backyard Chickens by Avery Reed
From Egg to Chicken by Anita Ganeri
Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby
How to Draw a Brave Chicken by Ethan T. Berlin
The Chicken Who Couldn't by Jan Thomas
- Non-Fiction Books About Chickens & Eggs
Under the Henfluence: Inside the World of Backyard Chickens and the People Who Love Them by Tove Danovich
Since first domesticating the chicken thousands of years ago, humans have become exceptionally adept at raising them for food. Yet most people rarely interact with chickens or know much about them. In Under the Henfluence, culture reporter Tove Danovich explores the lives of these quirky, mysterious birds who stole her heart the moment her first box of chicks arrived at the post office.
The Most Perfect Thing: Inside (and Outside) a Bird's Egg by Tim Birkhead
101 Chicken Keeping Hacks from Fresh Eggs Daily: Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for You and Your Hens by Lisa Steele
Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a behind-the-coop tour like you've never seen. Lisa has spent years figuring out the best ways to keep chickens healthy, the natural way, and she's collected more than just your average tips.
Tastes Like Chicken: A History of America's Favorite Bird by Emelyn Rude
Reinventing the Chicken Coop by Matthew Wolpe
Looking for more opportunities to learn about animals and nature? Check out some of these great upcoming events we have planned at our library branches for different age groups.
Early Explorers: Protecting Pollinators/What is a Pollinator? at the Headquarters Library
Thursday, April 3, 11:00 a.m. | Ages 3-5
Integrated Pest Management at the Tower Road Branch
Wednesday, April 9, 11:00 a.m. | Ages 18+
Seed Bombs for Pollinators at the Archer Branch
Saturday, April 12, 2:00 p.m. | All Ages
Rabbits in the Library! at the Micanopy Branch
Saturday, April 12, 2:00 p.m. | Ages 6-11
Lubee Bats at the Library at the Tower Road Branch
Wednesday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. | All Ages (Registration)