My half-dozen chickens in my yard in VT are hardy and out and about! I get about four eggs a day, and endless entertainment from the small herd of therapods.
I'd love to get some chickens one of these days. Four eggs a day would be enough for us to regularly give away dozens while supplying all of our own egg needs.
First thing you'll notice is much lighter they are than they look.
Second thing you'll notice is how hot their feet are.
A tangible lesson in the importance of surface area vs volume wrt mechanical, thermo, aero systems.