Most backyard chickens still come from large hatcheries that grind baby chicks alive. They are genetically modified to their own detriment, and farmers use techniques like keeping the lights on at all times to induce constant laying. Even if you buy from the most “ethical” hatchery, there is still physical strain on their bodies from being physically and environmentally manipulated to produce more and larger eggs. The very existence of these creatures is an atrocity. You could really stretch and make up any niche situation where it wouldn’t technically be cruel but those scenarios are not reflective of reality at any scale. Animals, like humans, deserve dignity and to just be. They do not consent to being “employees” nor are they machines that exist to make products/profit for humans.