Are Chickens the Closest Living Relative of T. Rex? No! And Here’s Why They Are Not – Part 1

A few years ago, I wrote an article about the dino/chicken connection. It has proven to be one the most popular posts on my blog. But ever since I took the time to research and write that article, I’ve been sensitized to the continuing drumbeat repetition of the half-truth of that “The chicken is the closest living relative to T. rex.” The time has come, I’ve decided, for me to do what I can to set the record straight. And while I’m at it I’ll delve into how this crazy half-truth got started in the first place.

Did My Organic Eggs Come from Happy Hens? - The Real Truth

New rules governing organic eggs have just been put into effect. The old rules were riddled with loopholes that some large producers of “organic” eggs slithered through in order to sell their eggs at high organic prices while underhandedly maintaining their flock in subpar, inhumane conditions. In this interview with Very Finest Organic Eggs CEO John Barn, we discuss the new rules, the old rules, the loopholes, slithering and underhandedness. Some would say this is the very, very best interview that’s ever been conducted.

Chicken Books - My Picks 2023

Here are my 2023 chicken-themed book picks! Whether you’re a seasoned backyard chicken keeper or simply fascinated by these feathery creatures, I think you’ll find something here to fascinate, educate, and inspire you.

Under the Henfluence - Book Review

Tove Danovich has written a heartfelt, personal account of her journey through process of becoming a backyard chicken owner.. But woven into that account is some excellent reporting: Behind the scenes at a chick hatchery, an Ohio poultry show, 4-H, chicken therapy, a Minnesota chicken rescue. Chicken-themed topics that I’ve never seen in print before. Under the Henfluence is, in my estimation, the best new chicken-themed book this year.

The Humane League – Freeing Hens

Most eggs sold in the US come from hens stuffed into cruel cages. As more and more people have come to realize how badly modern animal farming has gone off the rails, a number of organizations have emerged to shine a light on abusive animal husbandry practices and work to change cruel and inhumane animal farming systems. The Humane League (THL), one of the most effective of these organizations, is hard at work to get hens out of cages.

Chicken City - A Chicken Movie!

Chicken City will show you how steeped in history the chicken really is. Who would have thought that chickens have been around since the dawn of history. They have been worshipped, abhorred, adored, sacrificed, maligned, sentimentalized and idealized. Artists, musicians, authors, film makers, and even politicians have reflected on the chicken.

The Chickens of Ancient Egypt - Part 2

I researched the beginnings of chickens in Egypt and discovered that all evidence points to their arrival with the Persian conquest of 425 BC. But there’s a problem. There are ancient recorded instances of chickens clucking and pecking around Egypt before the Persians arrived. Way before! Thousands of years!

The Chickens of Ancient Egypt - Part 1

Egypt: The pyramids. The desert. The Nile. The chickens.
Yes, the chickens.
In 1323, an Irish friar named Simon Fitzsimmons traveled to Cairo. He was amazed by the sight of thousands of chickens in the streets of Cairo; pecking up grain that had fallen from the bags carried by passing camels.
In 2023 I traveled to Egypt. I was also amazed.

Crested Chickens, Vaulted Skulls, and Damaged Brains - Part 2: Crests, Vaults and Their Genetic Connection

When people think of Polish chickens, they think of those elaborate, beautiful crests. Most people don't realize that Polish chickens also have “vaulted skulls.” Vaulted skulls are misshapen, with a large knob or vault sticking up from the top. A misshapen skull results in a misshapen, unusual, “hourglass” shaped brain. Vaulted skulls are often filled with holes. The only thing protecting parts of the chicken’s brain is a bit of skin and some feathers. Thus, chickens with vaulted skulls are vulnerable to brain damage. What are the genetics behind crests and vaulted skulls? And are these two traits connected?