StillSmart

Racker wrote:The family's been thinking about keeping chickens. Are they relatively inexpensive?

Assuming that you have a garden large enough,and without pretty borders that free range chickens will wreck, then go for it.
Caged chucks are also an option but more work.
Our layers/home flock free range with an automatic light operated door to stop the fox eating them overnight.
A few chucks will eat up a lot of waste from the kitchen.
It is great for children, of all ages, to actualy see where eggs and chicken really come from.
I have 3 cockerels from the last broody hen's hatching to dispatch tomorrow.
It is not all pretty.
But usually tasty.

Robert.