My friend Barb sent the link to this article summing up Mother Earth News’ study comparing conventional and free range eggs. Really motivates a person to make the effort! These directions show how you can rig up a portable coop for a small number of hens. You get the best of both worlds – free ranged hens who aren’t on your porch.
Starry Sky Journal 
This strikes a chord in me. I worked in a chicken house in college – and blogged about it – per your post.
http://funmajors.blogspot.com/2008/02/free-range-chickens.html
Yeah, it’s the poop-on-the-porch part of free ranging that really bugs me! Carla Emery’s Encyclopedia on Country Living has a good section on the portable coop idea, too, but we’ve never tried it. You’ll have to let us know how it works for you!
Oh, Thank you!!! We are planning on getting some little ladies and this article is just what we needed!