Having chickens in your life is so hot right now. If you're not obsessed yourself, you know someone who is.

Within a few years, keeping backyard chooks has gone from being something your nonna did, to the mainstream. Chickens are in inner-city backyards and comedy gigs, old people's homes and poultry shows, prisons and weddings. Regional poultry clubs have been revitalised by the influx of tree-changers and hipsters intoxicated with exotic heritage breeds.Rescue chickens are the new black, and the perfect feel-good accompaniment to your rescue dog. Chickens are an essential component of the permaculture, locavore, sustainability, self-sufficiency and low food mile movements. Chickens are owning Instagram. Chickens are everywhere.

A collaboration between writer, comic and chicken owner, Fiona Scott-Norman, and acclaimed photographer, Ilana Rose, This Chicken Life is a collection of stories about chickens and the Australians who love them. You'll meet Jareth Bullivant, an animal liberationist who takeshis rescue broilers Twistie and Sephiroth to the beach. Nik Round, a Victorian advertising executive who is focused on saving a heritage breed. Summer Farrelly from Queensland, a twelve-year-old with autism who connects with the world through her chooks and has started a chicken therapy program. Shane Secombe, who rescues the unwanted roosters of Alice Springs and gives them a second life at the prison. And Adele Scott, a burlesque performer and interior designer with tattoos and a permaculture garden. Oh, and Costa.

Funny, joyful and moving, This Chicken Life unpacks an obsession and a love affair. Chickens and humans, heart to heart, face to beak. This is no fad, it's a way of life.