Micro-Landscapes of the Anthropocene

An Eggs-animation of the Anthropocene

My first point of engagement with the notion of the Anthropocene was a program released on ABC Catalyst titled ‘The Anthropocene | Has earth shifted out of its Holocene state?’. What I found to be of particular interest was that chicken fossils are being used to “enable [scientists] to say that a particular layer of rock or sediment was formed after the Holocene ended” indicating a transition into a new geological epoch. The change in the body shape and structure, bone chemistry and genetics of broiler chickens symbolise the “unprecedented human reconfiguration of the Earth’s biosphere.” 

I own 5 chickens, 3 of which I raised from the time they were 3 days old in early February 2020.  Over the past 15 months I have established a friendship of sorts with all of my chickens, as I have spent time teaching them how and where to jump, how to respond when I call, learning their distinct quirky personalities. In researching the Anthropocene, I was intrigued by the unique perspectives on modern chickens as “an amazing technological innovation” and a “human caused transmogrification that purposely disables these birds from birth [that is not] something to be proud of.” I then wanted to learn more about the ways in which chickens are represented in literature.

My research has led me to consider the origin and implications of phrases such as “don’t be a chicken,” “cock of the walk” or to “run around like a headless chook.” I have also examined films such as Chicken Run (2000) and Chicken Little (2005) and characters such as Foghorn Leghorn. Further, after reading Robert Frost’s short story Dalkins' Little Indulgence -- A Christmas Story I have explored the often ludicrous and frivolous nature of what is equivalent to a chicken pageant show; the likes of which are seen at The Royal Easter Show, for example.    

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