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What the Chicken Knows

A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird

by Sy Montgomery

Narrator Sy Montgomery

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Length 2 hours 9 minutes

Language English

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Bookseller recommendation

“A delightful, quick read that confirms what I have known since becoming a pet owner - animals do have a lot to say and we need to take the time to shut up and listen to them. I have always had a bit of a fear of birds, mostly because I have trouble understanding them and their motivations. But after listening to this audiobook I think it’s time for me to find a flock and learn a bit more about our feathery neighbors. ”
— Gaelan • Page 158 Books

Bookseller recommendation

“As someone who grew up with chickens but never positively connected with them, Sy Montgomery's What the Chicken Knows transformed my perspective. In this short yet powerful book, Montgomery reveals the surprising intelligence and charm of these often misunderstood birds. She helps readers discover what most of us have overlooked about these remarkable creatures! Her ability to find peace with nature's complexities - even if they can break our hearts - offers readers a mature and nuanced perspective on backyard farming. This slim volume accomplishes something remarkable: it manages to be both a delightful introduction to chicken-keeping and a deeper meditation on our relationship with the natural world. Whether you're a current chicken keeper, someone curious about starting, or simply a reader who appreciates thoughtful nature writing, Montgomery's insights will stay with you long after the final page.”
— Takyra • Let's Play Books Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“Sy Montgomery takes us on a fascinating journey that's enjoyable, humorous and educational and I definitely learned a lot! I had no idea that chickens were so intelligent and complex. Apparently they know us humans far better than we know them. All of the specific details she shared were quite interesting. They can make up to 24 sounds each having a specific meaning. I personally would have never thought to hug a rooster. I now have a new-found love for chickens and I recommend this book to everyone, especially animal lovers. 5 stars! ”
— Sandra • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A beautiful compact love letter to the domestic chicken. Beloved naturalist and writer Sy Montgomery tells (in her own voice) the story of her life with chickens and, by so doing, and opens to us all the unexpected intelligence and humor of these familiar birds. A wonderful book for adults and children alike. Highly recommended. ”
— Kristin • Homespun

Summary
About the author
About the narrator

A charming and eye-opening exploration of the special relationship between humans and chickens from Sy Montgomery, “one of our finest chroniclers of the natural world” (The New York Times).

For more than two decades, Sy Montgomery—whose The Soul of an Octopus was a National Book Award finalist—has kept a flock of chickens in her backyard. Each chicken has an individual personality (outgoing or shy, loud or quiet, reckless or cautious) and connects with Sy in her own way.

In this short, delightful book, Sy takes us inside the flock and reveals all the things that make chickens such remarkable creatures: only hours after leaving the egg, they are able to walk, run, and peck; relationships are important to them and the average chicken can recognize more than one hundred other chickens; they remember the past and anticipate the future; and they communicate specific information through at least twenty-four distinct calls. Visitors to her home are astonished by all this, but for Sy what’s more astonishing is how little most people know about chickens, especially considering there are about twenty percent more chickens on earth than people.

With a winning combination of personal narrative and science, What the Chicken Knows is exactly the kind of book that has made Sy Montgomery such a beloved and popular author.

Science & Technology Nonfiction Environment & Nature

Sy Montgomery is a naturalist, adventurer, and author of more than thirty acclaimed books of nonfiction for adults and children, including The Hummingbirds’ Gift, The Hawk’s Way, the National Book Award finalist The Soul of an Octopus, and most recently, Of Time and Turtles, which was a New York Times bestseller. The recipient of numerous honors, including lifetime achievement awards from the Humane Society and the New England Booksellers Association, she lives in New Hampshire with her husband, writer Howard Mansfield, and a border collie.