Backyard Poultry

Chickens, ducks and quail each earn their keep with eggs, pest control and compost. Here's how to choose.

Which bird?

• Chickens are the all-rounder: steady eggs, scratch the garden, eat scraps and pests. Best for most yards.
• Ducks lay richly, devour slugs and snails, and handle wet, hot climates well, but they need water and make mud.
• Quail are small, quiet and fast to lay, perfect where space or rules are tight.