I've had chickens for 6 years now. I started with one White Leghorn hen. She passed away at 2yo. I bought a clutch of 6, 5 were roosters which I sold (at auction) and one was a hen. I kept her until last Fall. I bought 10 at the local farm supply store during "Chick Days." Got several free roosters in the fall of 2010. Bred one to my laying hens and, after eating all of the young roosters from 3 incubated clutches, I now have 2 roosters (unrelated, raised together, and they don't fight) and 13 laying hens. I replaced ALL of my breeding birds, who went to freezer camp and my table--YUMM!!
I suggest you go to the sister site, Back Yard Chickens. I've been to the Free Chicken Coop link and you have to buy most of the good plans. The free plans are complicated. BYC is BUSY (understatement) with >100K members, BUT, be patient in your searches and there is LOTS of good advice there. I studied and got my "chicken degree" there!
Post Script: Don't name what you plan to eat!!