Taking care of 20 isn't really any different than 4, depending on your management techniques and also how you view them. If they're livestock they don't need a lot of handling vs. pets, where you'd be giving them a lot more individual attention.4 is enough with all my school work. When I'm older I'll have around 7. I plan on doing a job that involves me being at my house, so I can take care of them on break/ while working. How on earth can some of you manage 20??? 4 is exhausting enough!
I spend less time cleaning the coop with 12 birds than I did with 4 birds in a smaller set up. But because these are pets too I'm spending a lot more time out there right now, taming the chicks... once they're grown I'll be a lot more hands off so time expenditure will return to normal.