Just bought our first home! Were on about an acre but in the mountains were it gets pretty cold in the winter. There are a couple good garden areas that get good sun and we'd like to have a chicken coup where they'd stay secured at night but be able to free range during the day as we would definately have to worry about preditors. About a dozen eggs a week is what were looking for. Would like to know what kind and how many we would need that fit our needs. We have small kids and a cat and are looking to get a dog as well. They must family/animal friendly and dont mind temps down to 20 degrees a few times in the winter. Any advice will be much appreciated.
and Welcome To BYC! X2 on the BYC Breeds section and the Henderson chicken breed chart. 
thanks for the chart reference.
