Great article, Susan. We've had chickens for over a year now, and have enjoyed them every day, except the one day we butchered the meat birds. The eggs are delish, and the chickens eat bugs of all kinds. They've kept the carpenter ants at bay, and that's no mean feat! We have lost quite a few to predators: coyotes and bears we're pretty sure. We try not to name them, and try not to get attached. We let them free range during the day (out where the ants are) and it's inherently dangerous out here in the woods. So far the loss rate has been 'acceptable,' though hubby did buy a bear tag...
