I really want to get chickens this year. We live in a small city in Michigan. We have a very large yard though. Our city has just recently allowed backyard chickens. I grew up on a farm where we had free ranging chickens and a very large coop. The chickens basically took care of themselves. I don't have the luxury of that big of a coop, and I think getting maybe 8 chickens to start. We can only have hens, and I want them for eggs mainly, not meat. We have dogs and cats as well. Reading all of the articles on here I realize that chickens are a lot more involved that I remember as a kid. I want to do what's best for my girls and will treat them like pets, not just farm animals. I need all the advice I can get!!!