The number of chickens depends on how many eggs your family eats. A single hen produces 5-6 eggs weekly, but production drops in winter and during molting.
Calculate your family's needs
Tally your weekly consumption. A family of 4 eating 2 eggs per person per day (14 total) needs steady production.
Why you need extra
Hens take breaks. Winter slows laying by 30-50%. Molting stops it entirely for weeks. Broodiness halts production. Start with 2-3 more hens than your math suggests.