Kathy Shea Mormino - Lifestyles of the Chicken Famous: Pretty Pets in The Chicken Chick’s Backyard

Pretty Pets in The Chicken Chicks Backyard

KATHY SHEA MORMINO

2018 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Text 2018 Kathy Shea Mormino
Photography 2018 Kathy Shea Mormino, except pages by Stacey Coleman,
visit www.staceycolemanphotography.com

First published in 2018 by Voyageur Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group, 401 Second Avenue North, Suite 310, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. T (612) 344-8100 F (612) 344-8692

www.QuartoKnows.com

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Digital edition: 978-0-76036-462-8
Hardcover edition: 978-0-76035-933-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018936785

Layout: Noelle Davis

Each of my feathered pets earned its name by distinguishing itself in some way, whether by breed, color, attitude, or behavior. Lucy and Ethel were funny together, Freida was afraid of the other chicks, and Rachel was friends with Monica and Phoebe. I had no way of knowing that some of them would become household names around the world one day.

In sharing the early experiences of my unusual pets on Facebook, I quickly realized the images, filtered through my narrative lens, struck a chord with a diverse audience who flocked to my page for more. Nearly a decade later, many continue to relate my experiences to similar experiences with their own chickens: perhaps a familiar breed, a mutual challenge, or a shared observation. Many reflect fondly on a rekindled childhood memory from time spent on a grandparents farm, while others express surprise to learn that so many extraordinary breeds and color varieties existwith individual personalities, at that!

Millions around the world share the joy of my chickens with me. I dedicate this book to them in appreciation for accompanying me on my ongoing adventures with these unconventional pets.

Ursula, White Bantam, Frizzled Cochin.

CHAPTER 1

The Littles

I have spent countless hours on the ground at chick-eye-level, observing, photographing, filming, interacting with, and cleaning up after baby chicks. Yet I am always astonished at how quickly they begin distinguishing themselves from one another. Their early quirks and behaviors tend to be reliable indicators of their adult personalities. From sweet to sassy, shy to bold, its always a joy to watch them blossom.

TRUE CONFESSION: As a chicken collector (read: hoarder) with more photos of my chickens than my daughters, sometimes I cant remember whos who in baby pictures!

Serama chicks Caesar (front) and hatchmate.

This little fluffernutter on the right grew up to be Ted E. Graham, my Silkie rooster. Its difficult to believe he rose to the top of the pecking order in my flock, but its true!

Baby chicks make fabulous models, dont you think? Every side is their good side!

Iris (above) gives new meaning to the term helicopter mom.

If any of you kids need to use the little chicks room, now is the time, because once we get on the road, Im not stopping!