A few weeks ago, a lifelong dream came true: I welcomed a trio of brown hens to our small, urban backyard. These perky transplants from Petaluma wasted no time exploring their new surroundings and were especially eager to check out their futuristic-looking coop and hunt for bugs in the grass.

Birds have always been some of my favorite animals. As a child, I had a particular fascination with parrots, but any kind of bird would do. That’s how one fateful day at the library, where I was once again looking for books on birds, I found a volume about chickens. I knew a lot about wild animals and pets, but not about farmed birds. The contents of said chicken book were enough to turn this young teenager into a steadfast vegetarian, and my love for farmed animals only grew over time.

I was thrilled then to finally be in a position to adopt three rescued hens from Animal Place, a Bay Area nonprofit organization that saves commercial layer hens from being killed, or what the chicken producers like to call “depopulated” once their productivity declines even a little.

Luckily for Henrietta, Frida Lays and Poulette, they were among the few that made it to sanctuary instead. And while I won’t pretend my husband doesn’t get excited every time he spots an egg in their nesting box, their worth to us is not based on their productivity or commercial value. Chickens, it must be said, make absolutely wonderful pets. Smart, curious and treat-motivated, they are highly trainable and full of personality. Not to brag, but the trio figured out their treadle feeder (where the chickens have to step on a pedal to lift a lid and access the feed, which is protected from rain and rodents) in four days — well ahead of the manufacturer’s three-week training schedule.

I truly enjoy the time I spend with my chickens. I bought an automatic coop door, which safely tucks the hens in at night  and most importantly, lets them back outside after sunrise while I’m still cozy in bed. While they’re typically quiet, I’ve grown fond of their occasional egg song (a kind of serenade that lasts for only a few minutes) as well as their expectant little clucks whenever they notice me approach.

Before jumping on the backyard chicken bandwagon, however, be sure to research local ordinances pertaining to chickens, as well as your flock’s needs with regards to housing, supplies and veterinary care like you would with any other pet. A major advantage of adopting an adult chicken from your local animal shelter or rescue group is that you’ll know what gender your chicken is. Determining gender in chicks is not always accurate and you might end up with a rooster instead of a hen. While roosters are good for the flock since they serve as protection, many municipalities don’t allow them. Often, when people realize they have roosters on their hands, they abandon them or surrender them to shelters. A great way to avoid this conundrum is to adopt an adult, since you’ll know what you’re getting.

When I got closer to taking the plunge, I decided to consult with an expert, Isabelle Cnudde, who runs a small Bay Area chicken sanctuary called Clorofil, and who regularly teaches informational classes with the goal of supporting chicken-curious residents. And if you’re also thinking of getting chickens, you’re in luck. Her next online class, “Gearing up for Pet Chickens,” is at 10 a.m. March 19 online. Register for free or a donation at clorofil.org/learn.

Carina DeVera is the digital marketing manager at Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.