What the Chicken Knows

A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird

By: Sy Montgomery

Narrated by: Sy Montgomery

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER

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.

Critic reviews

"Sy Montgomery is so joyful and enthusiastic while describing her adventures with her flock of chickens that listeners will want to stroke a hen and pick up a rooster just to participate in her positive view of the world. Montgomery is keenly observant and curious. She calls her chickens “the ladies,” and she recognizes each hen’s individual call and personality. She also cites studies demonstrating chicken intelligence but notes they will also mercilessly peck at an injured member of their flock. Montgomery’s desire to restore the natural landscape can collide with her love for her chickens whenever a repopulated critter kills one. Her mixed emotions are obvious: She can’t bring herself to be angry at a natural predator, yet she feels forlorn."

Not up to Sy Montgomery’s norm.

Very little information. Montgomery is an excellent science writer and in this piece she pretty much forgot the science aspect.

FUN

Very interesting storey ; just too short for full price. The small private chicken yard was enchanting

Cutesy stories about chickens.

Not for anyone interested in a deeper drive into chicken life or behavior. Cute stories about chickens in the neighborhood with some anecdotal claims about chicken intelligence and instinct. Feel good and motherly, not informative and nothing new if you’ve ever kept chickens yourself.

Compassion for chickens

The great compassion the author has for chickens. It makes me want to get my own flock

Love the journey

As a chicken lover and nee to it, this is a must listen. Good job