I did not expect this delightful reference to be one of my most memorable reads of 2009, but author Barbara Kilarski (at right ) and the folks at Storey Publishing left me so impressed that I’ve had Keep Chickens! on my mind for the last eight months – and no, I don’t have any chickens. Not yet, that is.

I stumbled upon Keep Chickens! At the famous Powell’s Books in Portland accompanied by a “Staff Picks” blurb. As I flipped through the book, not only was I impressed by its clear organization, engaging writing, factoid boxes, and vintage chicken ads – I started imagining chickens, beautiful chickens pecking around my own backyard, and I was really excited. I couldn’t bring myself to reshelf the book, so I purchased it instead.

To be honest, I don’t generally read reference books and how-to guides straight through. I go to them when I need them. I had planned to have this book available for whenever I made the plunge into home-grown, fresh eggs from happy chickens. Instead, I read the book cover to cover in intervals over a couple of days, and I’m sure my friends can tell you that I was extremely enthusiastic about chickens. This gem is not a dull reference manual; it’s an entertaining, bite-sized read perfect for priming the beginner or aspiring chickenkeeper to confidently, ethically, and greenly raise chickens in their urban backyard. If you want to learn about how to befriend chickens and feast on their delicious, fresh eggs (which will certainly be local, and Kilarski tells you how to make them organic, too) without reading an encyclopedia, and even have some fun while you learn, this is your book.

Kilarski covers all the basics, including why you might decide to let a chicken or three into your life, the legal aspects of having a small flock in the city (minus the confusing jargon), building a coop, choosing a chick, caring for your feathered egglayers, how chickens can help your garden, and more. She even breaks down the costs of keeping chickens against the price of eggs from the grocery store. The results? Chickenkeepers are in for some green savings! Along the way you’ll get to hear fun stories and facts, including what those adornments above and below a chicken’s beak are called.

Storey Publishing has dozens of other tempting titles available, all of which support their mission “to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independince in harmony with the environment.”

Now that spring is on its way, I’m really itching to start my own backyard flock.

Find this read @ Powell’s for $16.95.