Did you find BYC before or after you got chickens?
Before, in fact BYC and especially the forum were a big push for me to get chicks in the fall rather than waiting for the spring. They turn 6 weeks today!
What possessed you to put chickens in your backyard?
Being a desk-jockey (aka Software Engineer) and having grown up in the city, but now living on agriculturally zoned 1.3 acre lot, I have decided that paying ~$6/lb from the local organic farmer or eating that 'tasty' store bought chicken isn't for me (well, us, there is a lovely wife in the picture) and it's time to do something about it.
Initially we almost settled for rabbits, as they are quieter, but went for the gusto. So now we have chickens, a pair of guineas, a pair of button quail (and their eggies in the incubator) + 30 bobwhite eggs!