My husband has been bugging me for a chicken. I was thinking of getting him a coop and a couple of chickens as a combined Birthday/Father's Day gift. I would like to keep it small, no more than two or three hens. This would strictly be for eggs.

Are they very high maintenance (as I see the responsibility for said chickens drifting over to me)? Do they smell? Can you just buy a coop and set it up in the backyard?

The coops seem to range greatly in price, but I found a nice one on Ebay, and the chickens themselves seem inexpensive. I was also thinking of checking the local animal shelter for a rescue chicken.

Any thoughts or advice?