For me, the "magic" number for home use is 2 hens per person. This would be a high quality layer such as a Golden Comet (hybrid). That would give you enough for daily use plus all the extras you would need for baking ect. From November to March, it might not be enough but usually the hybrids will continue to lay, though not regularly. I have found that most all of the "pure" breeds available these days are poor winter layers and are really only good for one season. My Golden Comets will often still be earning their keep in their 4th year. Over the zillion years I have kept chickens, only Golden Comets and Black Sex-link have a long shelf life so to speak.
Like Dave, I like the Americauna (true Aurucanas are to pricey for me). They are rather pretty birds and the first year the colored eggs are terrific. I have never gotten more than 1 1/2 season of good lay out of them (or any other pure breed as I mentioned prior).
I kept about 300 layers up until 2011. At that point, feed cost skyrocketed and my customers just would not pay more than 2 bucks a dozen. At that price, I was losing money so I quit rather abruptly. Now I just keep enough for my family. Life is so much easier now, lol
