to the BYC high desert and etc. Many of us high desert folks raise chickens for a variety of reasons. My reasons, I like to have a source for home grown eggs and vegetables, second I find animals fun and a fascinating learning experience, third, I have met very nice and interesting folks who also raise birds and chickens.
Next on your list should be (in addition to the focus of why you want to have chickens, and this will help determine what type to start with) is that although it is easy, it is a responsibility and will cost you a few cents and time until you have the basics. The basics are protection from the elements and predators, nutrition and water. So you will need shade, fencing, water and the means to feed the birds. Usually in the desert one needs extra protection form the sun and since the brutal sun wipes out most usual vegetation such as grasses, you will need a good supply of grains etc. In areas where chickens can forage for grasses, other plants and insects (well Jack"You have it made in the shade"). Around here I use shade cloth and lots of water to cool my buddies off. We have three month of triple digit heat so I provide water for my buddies to walk in. I call that foot baths. They love it even though they are not ducks.
So when you have arranged all of that, you might learn that chickens are not all the birds that could be interesting.
Soon you might be thinking of DUCKS, and QUAIL and maybe even a few bigger birds and a goat or two.
