If you're just getting into raising hens, then you don't need to purchase or build a big chicken coop.
Like most animals, chickens and other poultry need their own space.
The good news is that chickens aren't as picky as, say, cats - just a three to four square feet for each chicken is usually enough to keep the birds happy.
They will share nests with their coop-mates, but you should still provide at least one nest for every three chickens, or thereabouts.
Beyond the coop itself, it's a good idea to provide some fenced-in areas where the birds can run (somewhat) free.
They can use the actual building for sleeping and laying eggs, then they can go outside for some air while still being protected from predators.
It's important to keep in mind that predators can come from any direction.
Large birds of prey can swoop in from above and carry off smaller chicks, or certain burrowing rodents can dig their way in and cause trouble.
As such, you should ensure that all the angles are covered.
To protect against burrowing animals, you can dig your fence several inches down into the ground.
Since burrowing animals instinctively start to dig right at the edge of a fence, they'll just end up digging into the entrenched fence.
You only need to think about upgrading to a large chicken coop if you want to add more birds to the flock.
Until you reach that point, sticking with a small living space will make managing your small poultry farm much easier.