For many, chickens are viewed strictly as "livestock"—biological machines designed to turn grain into breakfast. However, as the trend of backyard flocks continues to grow, many families are discovering that these birds are far more than just utility animals. As a poultry educator, I often see the wide-eyed shock of children (and more than a few adults!) when they first learn where eggs actually come from. Yes, the discovery that hens lay eggs "out of their butts"—technically