We have had chickens for over 10 years. They are mean little dinosaurs that peck the weakest hen to death on a regular basis. So you have to keep replenishing

We have had chickens for over 10 years. They are mean little dinosaurs that peck the weakest hen to death on a regular basis. So you have to keep replenishing your stock. We enjoy the fresh eggs. My wife and kids enjoy them as pets, so they get upset when one is killed. We have lost a few to local dogs that get loose sometimes and come hunting them. I am not really a bird person so I don't get attached to them. We have never had rats. We have had hawks try to break into their hen house. We have had foxes try to get into the hen house. They create a lot of waste that needs cleaned so get a good hen house that is easy to clean.