The Field Guide to Chickens [Perfect Paperback]

Pam Percy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2006

The story of the chicken traces the interactions of cultures around the globe. From Southeast Asia 8,000 years ago, chickens spread to ancient China and Japan, the Middle East, Europe during the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and, from there, the world. Today, chickens fuel our poultry meat and egg industry. They also inspire the time-honored tradition of poultry exhibition and, increasingly, can be found in the backyards of folks who yearn for a simpler time. The Field Guide to Chickens provides a wealth of information on the sixty-one chicken breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association. From utilitarian egg layers to exotic show birds, from tiny bantams to large fowl, Pam Percy enlightens readers on the wonderful world of poultry. Essential for tyro fowl fans as well as longtime chicken breeders, this handy pocket-sized field guide includes a glossary, resources, and chapters describing the chicken’s history, behavior, eggs and chicks, and ""everything but the cluck."" Indispensable and easy-to-use, this guide gives readers an ""egg up"" on the wonderful world of chickens.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Library News for Zoos and Aquariums, June 2006

“Overall I was very impressed with the ingredients used in producing this book for such a reasonable price. Other publishers would have charged a lot more for a book of this quality … Voyageur Press should be commended for their work on this book.”

Onmilwaukee.com, April 21, 2006

“Pam Percy’s latest contribution to ‘chick lit’ is actually an interesting overview of chickens.”

Books News Inc., June 2006

“This is handsomely illustrated with photographs and full-color drawings suitable for a collector or hobbyist’s bookshelf.”

About the Author

Pam Percy is the author of Voyageur Press's The Complete Chicken. She has been raising chickens as a hobby since 1986 on her five-acre property near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Voyageur Press; 1st edition (February 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760324735
• ISBN-13: 978-0760324738
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not recommended---same info available free elsewhere, February 10, 2008

By 

N. Ferguson "Two, Daisy, Hannah, and Kitten" (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Field Guide to Chickens (Perfect Paperback)

Before purchasing, be aware that this slender, sturdy, and attractive hardback book has only paintings of the chicken breeds, not photos, and very brief descriptions. The same information and comparable paintings are available at no cost in the beautifully illustrated Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog each year-- request a free catalog and you'll have most of the same information as well as a way to purchase the breeds you read about! The Oklahoma State University poultry website and other sites also have this info.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I'd hoped for, unfortunately, April 17, 2006

By 

Belinda J. Palmer "Belinda Palmer" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Field Guide to Chickens (Perfect Paperback)

The book has lovely illustrations, but I was hoping for actual photos because chickens in someone's backyard flock or at a show often look very different from drawings. A few of the illustrations were shaded with colors not normally found in nature, too, making it hard to tell what color the chickens really were.

Otherwise, the drawings are very nice and the book is very informative on the 60 breeds mentioned.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entries pair breed histories and characteristics with insights on chicken behavior, propagation and more, July 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Field Guide to Chickens (Perfect Paperback)

Many a homeowner who lives in a rural community keeps chickens; but how many have access to all the facts about them? The Field Guide To Chickens is one-stop shopping for any who would access a quick reference on breeds recognized by the American Poultry Association. Entries pair breed histories and characteristics with insights on chicken behavior, propagation and more. Color photos and illustrations throughout make for an exceptional presentation.