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How many chicks should I get?

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post #1 of 6

7/15/12 at 6:30pm

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chickencoop789

Joined: 7/2012
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I am going to order some chicks from meyer hatchery. I only want 3 hens for my flock, but I dont know if I should get more then that. Im afraid that I might end up with a rooster even if I order hens. Im also afraid that one of my chicks might get sick and die. I dont want to end up with only 1 hen. What are the chances of that happening? Should I just order 3 or should I order more just in case?

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post #2 of 6

7/15/12 at 6:33pm

fiveladybugs

Location: Virginia
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I ordered all female from Meyer in the spring and received all female...however, I ordered three Anconas & three Brown Leghorns and three died during the first month I had them, leaving me with only one Brown Leghorn and two Anconas. I wish I had ordered just a few extras now.

My flock: White Leghorns, Blue Silkies, Sex Link, Splash Silkie, Brown Leghorn, Anconas, Mallard ducks, Delawares, Silver Leghorns, Lakenvelders, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Patridge Cochin, Golden Sebrights...42 & counting!

post #3 of 6

7/15/12 at 6:35pm

ZaksGarden

Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Joined: 5/2012
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I wanted a total of 4 Wyandotte Hens, I ordered 6 and ended up with 6 hens and had to give 2 away.

It's a gamble either way!

Zak

Raising spoiled Silver Laced Wyandottes

Zak

Raising spoiled Silver Laced Wyandottes

post #4 of 6

7/15/12 at 6:38pm

Stephanie739

Joined: 10/2011
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When I bought my first batch of chickens (knowing nothing about chickens!) I only wanted 2 or 3, but Tractor Supply required a minimum of 6. I was nervous about having so many new "pets" I lost 2 of those first 6 to a dog when they were about 3 or 4 months old.

I have about 40 chickens now and 27 are babies lol Its really easy to raise a group of chick babies.

What kind of chicks are you getting? If you are concerned about accidental roos, you could always buy the sex linked babies. I love my golden comets, very sweet and great layers.

Stephanie in VA 3 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and 14 chickens- hens: 2 leghorns, 2 golden comets, 2 australorps, 2 barred rocks, 1 NH Red, 1 LF buff brahma. Roosters: LF light brahma, 2 bantam cochins (1 black/multi colored frizzle, and one buff/red colored) blue orpington. My neighbors RIR rooster has recently moved in. I guess he is staying too

post #5 of 6

7/15/12 at 7:06pm

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chickencoop789

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephanie739

What kind of chicks are you getting? If you are concerned about accidental roos, you could always buy the sex linked babies. I love my golden comets, very sweet and great layers.

Im getting 1 barred rock, 1 ancona, 1 buff orpington, and 1 light brown leghorn. Im kinda having second thoughts on the leghorn (ive heard they can be nasty and flighty). If im not getting a leghorn im getting a partrige rock. All of them are hens.

post #6 of 6

7/15/12 at 7:25pm