If you are thinking of acquiring a few chickens, though they are not difficult to look after it is a good idea to read up on the subject and make sure that it is really for you.
Books we found helpful were:
Haynes Chicken Manual
Laurence Beeken
Probably way more comprehensive than you would need for keeping two or three birds. But then perhaps you'll get the bug and want to start breeding and showing your poultry? It does contain practically all the information you'd ever need. It's very easy to read and you can dip in again and again to answer your queries.
Henkeeping - Inspiration and practical advice for would-be smallholders
Jane Eastoe
This is a nicely written book in a more informal style. It's a small book so easy to read from cover to cover. There is lots of useful advice, attractive illustrations and good anecdotes and personal touches from the author's experience with her own chickens.One Hundred Ways For A Chicken To Train Its Human
Diane Parker
A whimsical look at some of the habits and idiosyncrasies of hens and roosters. Obviously this is more of a fun book than one intended to give advice in the way of the two above, but once you have chickens yourself you will smile and nod at some of the cartoons. Also it may in some way prepare you for the seemingly odd little things the birds sometimes do!Beautiful Chickens
Christie Aschwanden
A lovely coffee table style book with full colour photos of the show type breeds or "fancy fowl" from all over the world. From the sublime to the sometimes slightly ridiculous.