I have about 20 hens who give us more eggs than we can use, and I sell the extras to a few coworkers for cheap. It's not cheap, though, to keep chickens as the birds need food and care and protection from predators, but it gives me satisfaction to know that a) I'm getting quality, natural eggs and b) my chickens are happy and healthy and c) my chickens spend most of their lives doing what chickens do. They forage, eat bugs and lizards, and enjoy the grass. And I enjoy them. They are, for the most part, highly entertaining animals and very social. They're also not stupid like many people believe.

But, yes, many people aren't prepared for farm animal reality. Chickens can be mean. Cruel. My chickens killed one of my guinea fowl a few weeks ago. She had a small injury, and while we were at work, they pecked her to death. It was brutal. I cried because I felt so guilty for not being there to remove the guinea. But it's ingrained in chickens to kill the weak ones to protect the flock. They will kill their own chicks at times. They are mini-dinos. And if they get sick, sometimes you have to play vet and get up close and VERY personal with a hen, and if that doesn't work, you have to ease their suffering. And there are very few vets who will see chickens. Oh, and the government has banned places like Tractor Supply from selling antibiotics anymore, so you're very limited in how you can treat a sick bird. But there are natural methods that often work.

I highly recommend raising backyard chickens, but only if you can handle all of the above. Some people can't and it's too heartbreaking and too much work. In that case, find someone local who will sell eggs to you.