I have had chickens for 2 years- started with 2, now up to 6! Best thing I've done and I wish I'd got them years ago 8) They're not nearly so difficult as I'd thought and my 3 children (7, 5 and 2 years) love collecting the eggs. The last 4 hens were chosen for egg colour as well as production so they can identify the 'owner' of each egg! Even DH likes them now!
We moved to this village last year, so garden very much a work in progress. Typical semi-size garden so we're also top of the waiting list for an allotment....hopefully next year

Hazel