Chickens like to be in flocks, I would say 6 hens would be good for two people, yields 6 eggs per day, you'll never buy eggs again (assuming you continue the process). They can be picky so my recommendation is to also maintain a compost area they may access. The soil life breaks it down into other forms which the birds may use. Good luck!

One last video for you to get pumped up: https://youtu.be/fydmrz5EThw

Oeuf! That’s four more eggs than I’d need! Maybe my neighbour would like to share.

Is it practical to let them free-range in an urbanish neighbourhood? We have deer, raccoons, cats, the occasional coyote, osprey and eagles, etc—we are not far from open range and open wildlands. I assume they’d need some sort of enclosure at night, but during the day?

I’ve checked and we are allowed a coop…

("Oeuf!" made me do a snort-coffee-out-my-nose laugh. Genius.)

I am no genius, my dear Mrs. Peaker, for were you to call me a wit it would be too kind by half.

But I do like to think that I have my moments.