I've moved out to the country, so it seems only fitting I add a farm animal to the family! .

I'm thinking about getting a pair or trio of hens.  I'm researching chicken care right now and price shopping coops (seems to be the most expensive thing!).  I've found a local person that sells bantam chickens, very cute ones.

Any BBers that have chickens?   They would be pets... not for meat, and I'd harvest the eggs they lay but if they stopped laying that's ok too.

We used to have chickens but my little terrier dog got into their pen and got them all . They're pretty cool, if you spend enough time with them they kind of love you and follow you around haha! One thing I would say though, is be prepared to have your grass RUINED! We had a bit sectioned off in the garden with a big pen thing and then a section of garden as a run type thing. Because of the dog they couldn't be completely free range. Somehow our little dog managed to get into their pen three times despite having gates and locks and all sorts. One minute she'd be chillin' on the grass the next we'd be chasing her around . We had one chicken that survived all three attacks so we nicknamed her Beyonce after the song 'I'm a survivor' hah, needless to say she was a really timid chicken. So given that my TINY dog managed to get in, I'd say have a really, really secure pen for them or you might get foxes or whatever wild animals you guys have.

Yeah I see most chicken articles I've read suggest digging a trench where the perimeter of the coop is and burying some sort of barrier (like netting or fencing) so that no predators can get in. We have coyotes, foxes, and neighborhood dogs owned by irresponsible people here.

I've never had chickens but kind of always wanted some. I like farm animals, they are neat. Good luck! =)

I remember going up to visit my grandmother and her next door neighbors had chickens. We used to help clean out their hutch in exchange for fresh eggs. =] They were always so yummy. I remember they used to have issues with foxes breaking in. So I agree with Isabelle, make sure that it's really strong. I know chicken wire is strong but I would see if there was anything stronger out there to keep things from coming in. I remember that the hutch the neighbors had, had several different levels in it to help the chickens get exercise. Also they had an area that was covered so they can hid and an area where they could see out to their surrounding area.