Chicken Nibbles teaches readers about chicken behavior through fun art that educates as well as it entertains. What inspired you to write this book?

In 2007, I published Chook Tails. I was caring for my wife and I drew cartoons to escape from the stress of caring full time. After my wife’s death in 2017, I was free to fulfil my desire to have a professional cartoonist redraw my book. I selected the best of the old and added a number of new cartoons. I wanted to ‘close the circle’. This book, like the last, is dedicated to my now ‘late’ wife.

The art in this book is wonderful. What was the art collaboration process like with award-winning cartoonist Mark Lynch?

The idea and caption for the cartoon was always mine. I would describe the scene that I had in my mind. Mark would then draw a draft cartoon and we would gradually refine the cartoon until I was satisfied with the finished product. That process usually took two or three drafts but occasionally I drove him ‘nuts’ with too many refinements.

What is a common misconception you feel people have about chicken behavior?

They can be contained behind a wire fence!

What was one of the most surprising things you have learned about chickens?

Keeping backyard chickens can have a positive impact on people’s lives. They can relieve stress, bring neighbours together and provide a good laugh with their antics.

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