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How many chicks are enough?

post #1 of 23
4/22/12 at 3:36pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,  I've had chickens before but I'm still a beginner. The only chicks I have atm are two Rhode Island Reds. I'm hoping to get an EE chick soon (Darn you two PM a day limit >:U) so I will have 3 chicks. Is that a good amount? Or should I get more? 

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post #2 of 23
4/22/12 at 3:39pm

3 is fine if that is how many you want... but you can always add more as long as you have the space to keep them and it is not against the law where you live to keep more than that.

                                                                                     Lot's 'A' Cluckin' Farms 

                                                           

                                                                             "Where The Orpingtons Run Free!"

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                                                                                     Lot's 'A' Cluckin' Farms 

                                                           

                                                                             "Where The Orpingtons Run Free!"

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post #3 of 23
4/22/12 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 

Ahh, okay~! Thank you for telling me :)

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post #4 of 23
4/22/12 at 3:45pm

I started out with 4 a little over a year ago and now I have 17 (9 hens and 8 baby chicks). It can be a little addicting :)  Especially raising the babies.  I live on an acre and I think that I am at my max so I am giving some away as soon as they are older.  Mine are also free range so sadly I lost 3 from a dog attack, but they are very happy running free so I feel that offsets the loss.  I also live in an area where predators are low due to being surrounded by neighbors with dogs.  The dogs were the biggest problem and now my neighbors are doing a great job of keeping their dogs on their property. 
 

 

 

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post #5 of 23
4/22/12 at 4:03pm

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by upmycreek View Post

I started out with 4 a little over a year ago and now I have 17 (9 hens and 8 baby chicks). It can be a little addicting :)  Especially raising the babies.  I live on an acre and I think that I am at my max so I am giving some away as soon as they are older.  Mine are also free range so sadly I lost 3 from a dog attack, but they are very happy running free so I feel that offsets the loss.  I also live in an area where predators are low due to being surrounded by neighbors with dogs.  The dogs were the biggest problem and now my neighbors are doing a great job of keeping their dogs on their property. 
 

 

 

 

 

I started out with 10 a little over year ago and now I have 26. (10 hen and I brought 11 more then one of my hen just hatched 5 eggs)

10 Golden Comet, 5 Cornish Rock, 3 Black Gaint, 1 cat 

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10 Golden Comet, 5 Cornish Rock, 3 Black Gaint, 1 cat 

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post #6 of 23
4/22/12 at 4:09pm

Started out with 8, 3 yrs ago and now have 19 - and 6 more babies on the way.love.gif

Chillin' in the country with Chickens & Ducks.
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Chillin' in the country with Chickens & Ducks.
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post #7 of 23
4/23/12 at 4:29am

3 is a good amount, as chickens enjoy having company.  The right amount is determined by the setting in which they will live.  Overcrowding will possibly lead to pecking and squabbles, so it would be best to avoid overcrowding.

-Pete

 

Chemist + Chickens --> Chicken Nerd

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-Pete

 

Chemist + Chickens --> Chicken Nerd

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post #8 of 23
4/23/12 at 4:32am

Also depends on why you want chickens in the first place, ie egg production, meat, pets, etc...

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post #9 of 23
4/23/12 at 4:37am
I started with 8, but it wasn't enough as I keep running out of eggs with my family of 5. I added 3 more strong layers. Hopefully this will be enough or I'll need to build a second coop/extend the one I have.
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post #10 of 23
4/23/12 at 5:33am

I started with just a rooster over a year ago I am now up to a total of 57. 10 hens, 16 nine week old and 31 four week old, and I have up to 14 more to hatch. And to think I am going to have to move all them in a month or so.

Chickens a hobby or a job, not really sure but it it fun to do!

A wonderful husband, 2 dogs, 5 cats, More chickens than I can keep up with, a son with his cat.
Come follow the journey of my homestead http://myersminimayhams.blogspot.com/

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Chickens a hobby or a job, not really sure but it it fun to do!

A wonderful husband, 2 dogs, 5 cats, More chickens than I can keep up with, a son with his cat.
Come follow the journey of my homestead http://myersminimayhams.blogspot.com/

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