During my early childhood, I grew up on a farm and chickens were allowed to roam around freely. Living on a farm enabled me and my sisters to witness the reality of life - from chicken eggs in an incubator, the hatching of young chicks and watching them grow into maturity - and the eventual process of slaughtering one for Sunday dinners. These days, I would not like to witness the slaughtering of a chicken, but as a child I accepted it as part of life.

However, If I had the space and lived in an area that permitted me to do so, I would have chickens for eggs as well as for the wonderful work they do for a garden.

Many people use chickens to prepare the ground before planting - an area is enclosed and the chickens are allowed to scratch to their hearts content - they eat the weeds and fertilize the ground at the same time. Vegetable and garden scraps are thrown into the enclosure and in next to no time, the chickens have broken it all down. If there are grubs in the compost heap, the chickens will find them and eat them as this is a great treat for them.

After a period of time, the enclosed area will be cleared of all weeds and grass and will be ready for you to turn it into a great vegetable garden.
The enclosure is then moved to another area along with the chickens to start the process over again. A roosting shed with nesting areas is also put into the enclosure as well as water and feeding troughs so that the chickens are well cared for.