Check out Fine Cocks in This "Beautiful Chickens" Book

I'm no Chicken Fancier but get ready for the pedigree cocks and red-breasted chicks provided by this "Beautiful Chickens" book which I found for £2 in an Oxfam today. Because chickens are fun.

Impressive poultry fill the pages of Beautiful Chickens: Portraits of Champion Breeds such as the beautiful the Plymouth Rock Cock and Frizzle Hen.

That sure is a beautiful chicken

Some are clearly chickens, other's look like their tyrannosaur ancestors. A few look like feather dusters with feet but all of them are caught in a pose filled with character.

I've never raised chickens and I couldn't name a single breed, but this book leapt off the shelf at me between stacks of dusty second-hand books.

Poland Hen / Original photo: Andrew Perris

I decided to add it to my photobook collection the moment I saw the words "Beautiful Chickens". Sold. Nuff' said as far as I'm concerned.

A book of the finest cocks for my coffee table.

Belgian Barbu D'anvers Cock / Original photo: Andrew Perris

The photography of these champion breeds by Andrew Perris has the hurried look of a probably frustrating photoshoot yet it still captures the spark of life in the eyes of these funny animals.

I cannot imagine that chicken portraits are easy. I hope they're not drugged. Let's not think about it. The photography is great and each characteristic detail is brought out so that every idiosyncrasy is highlighted.

Cochin Cock / Original photo: Andrew Perris

Most importantly, the silliness of these jester-like birds is present in every picture.

Love it.