I'm in Bralorne, B.C. Haven't got any chickens yet, but the lady at this house before me had them. After I build a new coop and all, I'll be looking for some dual-purpose chickens, Rhode Islands sound like a good bet. I'll educate myself about them first, though.
I took down the old, inappropriately placed coop and let sunshine and air get at the soil...boy, does the rhubarb ever like to grow where the coop once stood! Composted chicken manure is wonderful stuff. Oh, vegetable gardening is another hobby of mine...should be mutually compatible with chickens!
GreenGardenGirl, I use to live in Victoria, I still miss it! There's something about the Island I just love. Tofino is my favorite place to go camping.