How many chickens for my urban coop?

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Question by SuperN: How many chickens for my urban coop?
I’m getting ready to order some chicks for my back yard coop. I have a caged run area (with top) of 6×10 ft, and a raised (insulated) coop with nesting boxes 6x4x5-ish. I’m getting Buff Orpingtons, which are a larger breed chicken. They will eventually provide eggs for my family of 5, the overflow easily donated to friends, family members, neighbors, food bank, etc.

My question is, how many do I get? I don’t want to be shorted on eggs, but then again I’d rather not be drowning in them! Any other suggestions for my first Urban Chicken experience? They will be kept inside until larger and feathered enough to handle our Iowa winter.

What do you think? Answer below!