The scarcity of fresh eggs during World War II created a set of circumstances that led to the creation of one of the most outstanding private collections of books on poultry in the United States and perhaps the world. This fine collection was developed by Leonora (Mrs. P. T.) Hering of Saratoga, California. Numbering nearly one thousand volumes, this remarkable trove was bequeathed to Kansas State University upon the death of Mrs. Hering and was received in May 1983.

The genesis of the Hering Poultry Collection is told best in the words of Mrs. Hering herself:

During the war, I asked a neighbor, who had a small flock of chickens if she'd sell me some eggs. She refused but presented me with two hens and a rooster. I knew nothing about poultry, but I did need eggs. I bought a book on the subject and subscribed to several poultry publications. Soon, I was reading everything on poultry I could lay my hands on. Many a librarian hearing me ask for "poultry books," then seeing a business-suited city-type, thought they had misunderstood. "Poetry books?" "No, poultry books!"

The collection contains many rare volumes such as an original Latin edition of Aldrovandi's classic treatise published 1599-1603. Also included are copies of the first English poultry book (John Lawrence's A Treatise on Domestic Poultry, 1815) and the first poutry book printed in America that was not a reprint of one from England (Micajah R. Cock's The American Poultry Book, 1843).

Poultry Resources on the Net

• KSU Poultry
• American Poultry Association
• Breeds of Chicken
• Feather Site
• World Bantam & Poultry Society