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If you've lived in the city most of your life, chances are you haven't spent much time around chickens. But if you like eggs and keep a compost pile or garden, pet chickens may be exactly what you're looking for.

Chickens will eat most of the food and yard scraps you would otherwise throw away, and considering that 23% of garbage in the US is made up of our food leftovers, this could have a major impact on landfills and waste management systems. At the very least, you will take out the trash less often, not to mention that you will have fresh eggs for free. Happy birds will lay 1-2 eggs per day, so not only can you save money but your backyard eggs have no carbon footprint.

Chickens also forage for insects and grubs. When you want to turn your garden, they do a wonderful job of digging through the soil, aerating the beds and breaking up clumps of dirt. They also generously deposit rich fertilizer as they graze.

Most eggs in supermarkets come from factory farm chickens raised in cramped cages, subjected to practices such as de-beaking, and fed large amounts of grain, rather than a natural diet full of various insects and grasses. These chickens also require antibiotics because disease can otherwise spread rampantly in these conditions. If you don't already buy eggs from a local farmer, you will notice the difference immediately. The nutritional content and flavor of eggs depends on the chicken's diet, and eggs from your own chickens will undoubtedly be better tasting and better for you.

Most cities don't allow roosters (they are too noisy), but aside from some general chicken laws, there are few restrictions on a small number of hens. Even a small yard can accommodate a few birds - they don't need a tremendous amount of space, and the work is worth it.

You can even order your chickens online and have them delivered right to your door.