Why Keep Chickens? Because they're great Beautifully illustrated in full-colour photographs, this book covers the benefits of having chickens, how to choose the right breed, what to feed and their housing requirements. Plus the importance of the health and wellbeing of your chickens, including information on common pests and diseases. Keeping chickens in the backyard has lots of benefits and done properly, will reward you and your garden in many ways for years to come.