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Once Upon a Flock
Lauren Scheuer
2014, 241 pages
Nonfiction
This book made me laugh and cry and I wish I had read it before I had my own flock of chickens. The author is no stranger to woodworking or power tools and that is a plus. There are many kinds of coops needed, including small ones to separate the birds if necessary and ones on wheels to move them about the yard and keep them safe from predators. Chickens do get diseases and foot problems and, yes, relationship problems, but they aren’t the kind of animals you take to the vet. You are mostly left to your own resolve to come up with a solution for any problem including what to do with a rooster if you don’t want your neighborhood to be woken up early every day. The author started her small flock with chicks (via the mail) in her Massachusetts backyard. We follow the adventures of Lil White, Lucy and Hasty through changes to the pecking order, broody behavior, motherhood, egg laying, the four seasons and Marky the dog. Highly recommended for anyone thinking a flock of backyard chickens might be fun and entertaining. It is a lot of time and effort but also fresh eggs.
