How many chickens do I need?
Tell us how many eggs your household goes through and we'll work out how many hens you need, then size the coop to house them. A family using a dozen eggs a day needs about 20 hens; a family of four using two dozen a week needs about 5 or 6.
"How many chickens do I need?" is one of the first questions every new keeper asks, and one of the most common we hear. So we built the honest math into a tool.
Eggs & flock size FAQs
How many chickens do I need for a dozen eggs a day?
A dozen eggs a day is about 84 a week. At a realistic ~4 eggs per hen per week (accounting for winter and molting), you'd want roughly 20–22 hens. Great-laying breeds get you there with a few less.
How many eggs does a chicken lay per week?
A productive backyard hen lays about 4–6 eggs a week in her prime, or roughly 220–280 a year once you account for the winter slowdown and the annual molt. Heritage breeds lay less.
How many chickens for a family of four?
A family of four using about 2 dozen eggs a week usually keeps 5–6 hens — enough for a steady supply with a little cushion for off days.
Know your flock size already? Size your coop →
Ready to keep your flock safe?
Tell us about your animals and your land. We'll design a coop built to last, on-site, just for you.