Awesome. I love chooks. Grew up with them. First thing in the morning opened the door to the chicken house, and last thing in the evening as the sun went down, closed it. Mum would not use snail pellets or any other poisons in her garden, the ducks and chooks were pest control and fertiliser all in one. Although, they did wreak havok on lettuce seedlings more than once!

The cost benefit factor has to include the joy of watching them scratching around and doing their thing in the yard. Nothing sadder than seeing pictures of battery hens when you have seen the joy they get out of a free range life. And chickens are too cute! Almost as cute as ducklings, but nothing will ever be that cute ;)

You should have a look at minismallholdings chicken meme contest , would be right up your alley. Or chook run...