‘Chicken whisperer’ Elaine Janes announces new book Under My Wing
After finding her first chook on the street over a decade ago, “chicken whisperer’ Elaine Janes has devoted her life to caring for and living among the birds.
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Dubbed the “chicken whisperer”, Elaine Janes is at peace when she’s surrounded by her brood of chickens.
Having found her first chook, Flapper, while walking down the street over a decade ago, Ms Janes has since devoted her life to caring for and living among her chickens.
The Ocean Grove woman is often seen walking around the region taking her chooks to cafes, beaches and parks, drawing the eyes of locals and tourists alike.
Now something of a local legend, Ms Janes has written a book titled Under My Wing.
It showcases a collection of short stories about her life and her chickens, with Ms Janes telling the Geelong Advertiser her inspiration to write the book came from her favourite chook, Flapper.
“I have no family and (when) I picked up that chook off the road probably 12 years ago … she became my best friend,” she said.
“We went everywhere together.”
She said she had been left heartbroken when Flapper died in her arms only a couple of years ago.
Ms Janes, 79, said it took her years to put herself back together.
Rudderless, she started to look after other wayward chooks, offering up her house to rehome rescued or unwanted chickens.
When asked exactly how many chickens she now looked after, Ms Janes said “too many”.
“Some have just turned up on their own,” she quipped.
“For me, they are family.”
All her chickens have their own quirks and personalities, with Ms Janes making special reference to a rooster under her care named Trousers.
The Brahma chicken is a behemoth of a bird who has a particular fascination with Ms Janes’ car, always looking to jump in and head out on adventures.
Upon reading about Ms Janes, publisher Janet Brown said she felt “compelled” to share the collection of stories and spread some joy with readers.
“I really think that one thing the world needs now is more stories about kindness,” Ms Brown said.
“Isn’t it great that she is a having her first book released at this stage of her life?”
Ms Janes’ story has even garnered the attention of local filmmaker, Mark Lang, who composed a short documentary about her called The Chicken Whisperer.
To celebrate the launch of her book, Ms Janes will be signing copies of her book for fans at the Point Lonsdale Post Office at 10am on Saturday.
The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.
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Originally published as ‘Chicken whisperer’ Elaine Janes announces new book Under My Wing
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