Theres something nice about keeping your own chickens and its no wonder that so many people choose to keep a few chickens.

Those chickens will keep you supplied with fresh eggs each day, and possibly even enough to sell on to local shops, or at the local market.

I think eggs must be one of my favourite foods. They are just so tasty ” and so versatile. There are so many ways an egg can be cooked ” boiled, fried, poached to name just a few. And that’s not even mentioning all their uses in baking cakes, quiches etc.

I live in the city and eat eggs regularly. Now the eggs that you get in supermarkets and grocery stores are OK, but have you tasted those down-home, free-range varieties?

I usually spend a weekend in the country with my mom, every five or six weeks. And she always seems to have a supply of “free free range” eggs at the ready. She gets them from a local farmer who calls to the door. Now these eggs are about as far from battery eggs as it’s possible to get.

And boy do I enjoy those eggs. Theres just no comparison with shop eggs, bless them. And I have my doubts if shop eggs (even the free-range variety) are really free-range.

I suppose that I have this discerning taste because I was reared on delicious eggs like these. On the farm where I grew up, we kept our own chickens, and I think I got the taste for the “down-home” eggs. It never leaves you!

And it’s quite easy to get started with your own chickens. That’s one of the big attractions. With a back garden of a reasonable size, you could soon build a coop at a reasonable price, and get a few chickens who will call your place home! Not to mention – the daily supply of fresh eggs.

And I think that it’s hard not to get attached to the chickens – they can be so endearing. You can of course keep them for the eggs, but they can turn out to be like pets!

I kid you not ” I could watch chickens for ages ” I find them fascinating. They put a smile on my face ” between the noises they make and the movements they make with their heads.

Each one has their own particular traits – some are loud and and boisterous, while others are more laid-back, or timid. And when they lay an egg, they let you know, loud and clear!

And the chickens come in many beautiful colors and varieties, such as Golden Campines, Blue Andalusians or the popular Rhode Island Reds.

You can look on them as pets if you like, but in any case they will keep you supplied with eggs. I don’t know of any other pet that will “give something back”!