Keeping Chickens
For several years, we kept a few chickens in our suburban back garden, mainly for their eggs. Suprisingly, we discovered that they each had their own uniaque personalities, and they became our pets, instead of just utility animals.
The final pair we owned were Isa Browns, and were the most engaging chickens ever. They were cheeky, destructive, and made a mess everywhere, pulling up plants, and eating the vegetables, but somehow getting away with it.
Our Isa Browns, Brownie & Goldie
If you're looking for a few hens to keep you supplied with eggs, I really do recommend Isa Browns - they are great layers. Keep them away from any valuable plants though!
If they are running free in the garden, then you may have to search for your eggs as well. I've found a nest in the compost bin, and also under a very thorny bush.
Chickens need to be shut up at night. Ours had an enclosed pen, with a small coop, plus there was an open sided shelter which they could go under in very hot weather. This was also used when it was raining, as the gate to the pen was always open during the day, so that they could lay in the coop. Of course, they preferred to shelter from the rain in the garage, leaving little messes all over the floor!
If you just want a few small hens as pets, you can't go past bantams, although sometimes they are hard to find.
