New to chickens? how many are you starting with? - Page 10

Am I the only chicken that started out with only 2?

I got a hen and a rooster, about a year old, from the old man down the road. I've had them for 2 years now. The hen has hatched 7 babies, who were killed by my chicken/dog murdering neighbor.

We decided to grow by two more so we got two Buff Orpingtons and one was killed by a dog.

That left us with the two original mutt chickens and one Orpington.

We just picked up 6 baby chicks from TSC. Wanting to take it show. We are a busy family at times with kids, sports and life. I wanted to make sure I had the time to mess with them like I wanted to before we jumped into a bunch at once. I'm glad we waited it out. I've learned so much.

Great news though, someone my husband works with was given 8 laying hens by the Amish. He doesn't want them...something about he doesn't have time after collecting his alpaca's poop...so he is giving them to us   We get them tonight after my husband gets home from work. I can't wait. I don't know what kind they are and the anticipation is killing me!!!

Am I the only chicken that started out with only 2?

I got a hen and a rooster, about a year old, from the old man down the road. I've had them for 2 years now. The hen has hatched 7 babies, who were killed by my chicken/dog murdering neighbor.

We decided to grow by two more so we got two Buff Orpingtons and one was killed by a dog.

That left us with the two original mutt chickens and one Orpington.

We just picked up 6 baby chicks from TSC. Wanting to take it show. We are a busy family at times with kids, sports and life. I wanted to make sure I had the time to mess with them like I wanted to before we jumped into a bunch at once. I'm glad we waited it out. I've learned so much.

Great news though, someone my husband works with was given 8 laying hens by the Amish. He doesn't want them...something about he doesn't have time after collecting his alpaca's poop...so he is giving them to us   We get them tonight after my husband gets home from work. I can't wait. I don't know what kind they are and the anticipation is killing me!!!

I'm new to the chick world as well!  I get my first batch tomorrow from our local Farm and Fleet.  25 is the magic number -10 Araucana, 10 Buff Orps, 5 Barred Rocks.  I'm a little nervous   We've got the brooder all set up in the downstairs bathroom.  We are working on our own McMansion at the moment.  Is there anything that I should be prepared for?  Any advice is much appreciated!

i first batch was 14.........2 days later added 4 more and a week later added 2 ducks !    i think i may be an addict      dont want to go back to the feed store for feed , im afraid ill come home with more chicks!

*Sigh* Prepare to fall in the with the little buggers!!

Missi

Yep it is!! Welcome to it!!

Missi

I'm getting my first chicks next month. I started out thinking I would get just 3 or 4. Then decided on 5, then ordered 11 from My Pet Chicken AND I'm still planning getting a buff orp, easter egger, and maybe an australorp from the local feed store. I can only have 12 chickens total, since I live in a town. I ordered more than I needed from MPC so I could have a better survival rate (hopefully) and my parents that live on a farm about an hour away, and who are also getting chickens this year agreed to take my extras.

I know for sure that I'm keeping a white cochin (the type of chicken DS requested), an easter egger (they type DD requested), GLW, SLW, and a light brown leghorn....so at least 5 to start with, and maybe 7

well, that's what i heard...from another illegal chicken owner. get MORE than what you want...that way, you can pick out the loud ones and give them away (or whatever). i only wanted 2 or 3 hens but now i've decided to get 5 (hubby is KINDA havin' a stroke but he understands the principle involved here)......so that way if any loud ones are about, i can give them away to an aquaintence of mine. Good luck!!! that's great that you have a privacy fence! i'm sure i'll make a few egg runs to my neighbors too!

I'm not starting a second coop but I'm about to add 16' x 21' (or bigger if I can talk hubby into it!!) run on to mine with a 8' x 8' "nursery/kiddie section" That way once their old enough I can put them outside in the coop with the big girls but not WITH the big girls!! They don't have a closed coop so I don't really have a limitation on the space!

Missi