Hey! Welcome neighbor. I live on the Blount/Jefferson line near Dallas. You should check out the Alabama thread on Where am I where are you. You will meet a lot of great neighbors and find good information.
I am from Chilton County and was thrust into chicken keeping by a 14 year old who begged for a chick. Now we have what appears to be 2 Roosters about the same age - NOT what I had in mind when I said ok to chickens. I would love to have a hen or 2 to lay some fresh eggs.
We have ahd our chickens for a little over a month and I have really come to enjoy them! They are great weeders, gardeners and we have a LOT fewer bugs in the yard! I do have mine in a coop, but let them free range as much as possible - which they love!