I'm new to chickens, how many should i get?

[RiversideMeadow]

Personally, I`d start off with, at most, 6, possibly even four if you have no idea how to look after them. Buff Orpintons are a good breed, I`ve never had them, but I`ve seen them and they seem friendly. I`d go with silkies, because they are really docile and friendly. Plus, the hens make great mothers and the roosters don`t bother the chicks. That`s only if you ever decide, hey, my hen`s broody, why not hatch out some chicks? Plus, they`re good layers and even though their eggs are small, they are healthier for you and taste delicious. I would also go with Black Harcos. I`m not sure how the roosters are, all we have is the two hens with our flock, but they are great chickens. One of them always wants to be near me. I just introduced her to a new flock of two that we`re looking after for someone, and whenever Marilyn or Monte came up to her, she`d run behind me. Another breed is Rhode Island Reds. They are docile, and I think they live to four-six years, I might be wrong. But whatever you do, DO NOT go for the layer breed. They are so sweet, but everything they eat goes to their eggs, and by the time they`re two, they are so spent. They`re bred for laying, and they don`t live very long. I don`t regret getting the 6 (altogether, but two died so we`re down to four), because they are friendly and totally awesome, but I will never get them again.
You can go for day trips, but we never go overnight, unless two of us are still here. If you have a neighbor who knows what to do with them, treats them good, and feeds them enough, you can go overnight, though. I just don`t trust anybody else unless they know which chicken comes from which flock, and knows exactly what to do. I`d probably go through 100 questions with them, lol