Best way to raise chickens, how many to have, can they have free range?

The best way to have social chickens is to start them young. If you buy adult hen, they may not know you (obviously) and may run. Please buy from a state tested flock!! Raising your own allows you to experience problems and get used to them also. Also keep them locked inside the coop for about a week at least if you purchase adults so they'll know where "home" is. I'd say for a family of 4, I would personally recommend a flock of 12 at least. In winter, sometimes laying teeters off, while moulting, high temp, etc. Also needing to figure in baking, cooking, frying, etc. Depending on where the property is, your best bet would be to make a chicken tractor and move them around. If not interested in that, a coop with a run works very well-until they eat down the grass, then from our experiences they get bored. Free ranging your flock may work, but the risk of losing them is great. Dogs, cats, raccoons, fox, eagle, etc etc. They're an easy target for both flying and four legged. Also you still have to feed them their free choice layer mix. A lot of people free range assuming that you never have to feed them. They still need the extra boost from their feed in order to maintain a healthy weight to support their heavy egg laying properties. All in all, chickens are wonderful creatures. We adore them and the raising from a fresh laid egg till 21 days later when they hatch all the way up to when they start laying is a great experience. We have our breeders in separate chicken tractor duplexes. Easy management, and 24/7 safety! Most of all, have fun!!

1) the best way to by chickens is as peeps (tiny fluff balls) If cant or don;t want this then around 4 weeks is good if go older you will have issues with the birds.Best to either buy from a hatchery so you can get the breed you want or from a reliable breeder in your area this way you can see the breeds they offer.2) as adults the hen will be full growen and have a pecking order already and will be use to the area you buy them from and the coop the feed time the release time and in time(back in the coop) this would all change for an adult bird if get as adults and hens will be at the bottom of the order,To raise the peeps is wonderful you get the chance to see the tiny little birds grow and change into what ever color birds you bought and watch the birds change thew time so wonderful and what an eye opener for any one..Plus the birds get use to YOU sometimes they will follow you around may have one or two that allows you to hold them and carry them around the yard.Will eat out of your hands.ALso raising peeps is alot cheaper for the peeps than the adult birds. 3) to have 6 eggs per day = 6 birds since hens only lay 1 egg per day @ 6 birds 1 egg per day equals 6 eggs per day. Now do keep in mind the breeds you get will determine the amount you receive per yr also the bird have a molt this is where the feathers are lost and others are replaced when this occurs the birds will NOT lay They have to save all the calcium they can to produce more feathers.keep in mind chickens stop laying those great eggs if the become ill injured stressed out grow old molt become broody and death. The predator factor will depend on the type you have around your area such as raccoons, weasels, opossums, skunks, fox, coyotes, wolfs ,minks,armadillos As far as allowing them to free roam during the day this is great for them but you will have to have areas where they can rest in the shade and dust bath when need to some areas where they will have access to clean cool water. An automatic water dispenser is a good idea (I use this system).The more cover the birds have the better as for elements of the earth and it helps with flying predators as well. Asfar as the loss you have a 50/50 percent rate as with any other person who wants to start raising chickens....