Under the Henfluence: The World of Chickens and the People Who Love Them

Tove Danovich explores the lives of chickens, revealing their hidden cleverness, quiet sweetness, and irresistible personalities, and the complex human–chicken relationship that has evolved over centuries. She interviews people breeding, training, healing, and adoring chickens, and shows that chickens are so much more than what they bring to the table.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Since the dawn of time, humans have perfected the art of raising chickens for sustenance. However, most individuals have limited interaction with these feathered creatures and possess a limited understanding of their behavior. In her captivating book, "Under the Henfluence," Tove Danovich delves into the lives of these peculiar and enigmatic birds, captivating her heart the moment her first box of chicks arrived at the post office. From a hatchery in Iowa to a chicken show in Ohio to a rooster rescue in Minnesota, Danovich conducts interviews with individuals who breed, train, heal, and adore chickens. With over 60 billion chickens residing on industrial farms worldwide, it is easy to overlook their significance as mere dinner ingredients. Nevertheless, Danovich's reporting unveils the hidden intelligence, gentle sweetness, and irresistible personalities of these birds, as well as the intricate human-chicken relationship that has developed over centuries. This insightful glimpse into the lives of backyard chickens not only enhances our understanding of chickens but also sheds light on our own selves and the aspects of industrial agriculture that we have overlooked during its rapid expansion. Interwoven with delightful and occasionally heartwarming anecdotes from Danovich's own henhouse, "Under the Henfluence" establishes that chickens are far more than mere food providers.

Weight: 160g
Dimension: 20 x 130 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008505899