Hardback
May 15, 2021
9780295748627
English
272
8.50 Inches (US)
5.50 Inches (US)
1 Pounds (US)
$29.95 USD, £19.99 GBP
v2.1 Reference
Paperback / softback
August 22, 2023
9780295752198
English
272
8.50 Inches (US)
5.50 Inches (US)
.77 Pounds (US)
$24.95 USD, £18.99 GBP
v2.1 Reference

Hatched

Dispatches from the Backyard Chicken Movement

"Chickens are a lot more mainstream than veganism and a little bit like kombucha: super weird twenty years ago, now somewhat popular and made even more so by logos, brands, and hashtags." So begins Gina Warren's deep dive into the backyard chicken movement. Digging into its history and food politics, she provides a highly personal account of the movement's social and cultural motivations, the regulations it faces, and the ways that chicken owners build community. Weaving together interviews with urban agriculture advocates, entrepreneurs such as a $225 per hour "chicken consultant," animal rights campaigners, and a fabulous cross-section of chicken enthusiasts, Warren sheds light on Americans' complex relationship with animals—as guardians, companions, and eaters—and what it means to be a conscious eater.

As Warren chronicles her own misadventures raising chickens, her pursuit of what's best for her own flock leads past chicken tutus and gourmet chicken treats and into serious attempts at sustainable eating, such as cooking insects and dumpster diving. The result is a fresh and charming story that speaks to backyard chicken owners, while also raising questions about sustainable farming, industrial agriculture, and our connections with the animals we love.

About the Author

Gina G. Warren writes about animals, the natural world, and human relationships for publications such as Orion, Creative Nonfiction, and Terrain.org. She raises a small flock of chickens in her neighborhood backyard.

Reviews

"A welcome addition to others about the backyard chicken movement."—Food Politics

"[An] entertaining, thoughtfully earnest book... a very accessible rendering of a topic that reflects larger issues in the US food production industry."—Choice

"Demonstrates thoughtful grappling with what it means to be an ethical eater in a capitalist society."—New Books Network

Endorsements

"Hatched is Gina Warren's exceptionally thoughtful account of raising backyard chickens from chicks to dinner, with dumpster diving in between—actions that reflect her deep respect and care for the animals we eat and her profound commitment to living ethically."—Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health

"Warren masterfully weaves in her own journey and experiences while examining the backyard chicken movement in its various forms."—Anne Kuo, author of The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Raise a Happy Backyard Flock

"Funny, moving, and thought-provoking. A reader need not have chickens—or the desire to keep them—to find this valuable book appealing."—Robin Mather, author of The Feast Nearby

"An engaging read. Issues of animal welfare and the ethics of farming are nicely blended with contemporary questions surrounding privilege and access to fresh food. This will definitely encourage some important self-reflection on how you view your food–and how your food views you."—Joseph Barber, general editor of The Chicken: A Natural History

9780295748627 : hatched-warren
Hardback
272 Pages
$29.95 USD
9780295752198 : hatched-warren
Paperback / softback
272 Pages
$24.95 USD

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