Chicken boy

Growing up in an ex-mining town in Nottinghamshire, Arthur Parkinson never wanted a dog, or a cat, or a pony – just hens. As a kid, he was known as ‘chicken boy’, a taunt Arthur now proudly reclaims with his crested coterie that includes countless hens, from Sheila the white Silkie to Clarissa the champagne-coloured Buff Cochin. A personal and humorous memoir of Arthur’s life amongst his hens, ‘Chicken Boy’ is illustrated throughout with his own characterful watercolours and candid photography of his ‘ladies’. This is an invitation to discover the joy that is only possible in the company of these intriguing creatures: Pekins are friendly, Lavender Leghorns aloof, while Burford Browns have a bad habit of feather-pecking.

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