Hen Flies the Coop, Visits Grafton

Terry Golson has written a children’s book about chickens and takes her popular program to schools and libraries throughout the state.

But she understands her true role at these presentations. “I play second fiddle to a hen,’’ she said with a laugh.

She brought one of her hens _ a striking Speckled Sussex named Agatha _ to last Wednesday.

While Agatha quietly ate and scratched in her cage, Golson read the students her book, “Tillie Lays an Egg,’’ which was published by Scholastic in 2009.

The book tells the charming story of an independent hen, Tillie, who does not like to be “cooped up.’’ Instead, she lays her eggs everywhere but where she is supposed to. The children had to find the egg in each photo, in such unlikely places as a pick-up truck.

These hens aren’t fictional characters. Golson lives in a Boston suburb with a flock of hens, including Agatha and Tillie.

Her hens can be viewed any time on the “hen cam’’ on her Web site. The site also features interesting facts about chickens and tips on how to keep them.

The hens are pictured in her book along with an array of props, which she said spent a fun year scouting down at yard sales and on eBay. The amusing photos were taken by Ben Fink.

She shared some fun facts about chickens with the youngsters. The eggs exit the hens in a body part called the vent. Hens sleep standing up, thanks to legs that can lock in place.

And chickens love to eat _ and they are not fussy about their diet. They can eat grain, worms and bugs, she said, “and they especially like leftover pizza.’’

After Golson read her story, she gave the children a chance to pat Agatha. This served as a chance for her to share an important message: Approach animals calmly and quietly, and the animals are likely to respond better.

One by one, the students approached Agatha, gently patting her and in some cases squealing as Agatha took a liking to the shiny objects on their outfits.

And once again, Golson smiled contentedly as Agatha took center stage.