First - what do your local zoning ordinances allow? Some communities allow roosters, some don't. Some limit # of hens according to lot size. Some state it's simply illegal altogether.
Second - why are you venturing into chicken ownership? Eggs? Meat? Self-sufficiency? 4-H project? Kids want 'em? Think silkies are cute and want a bunch? Know why you want them and then try to figure out logistics.
Third - how big of a time commitment are you prepared to make? A flock of 4 hens is a lot less work than a flock of 12 hens and chicks and 25 meat birds and a brooder full of chicks. Trust me. Our flock of 6 hens doubled overnight thanks to 3 broody hens, plus purchased chicks in brooder, plus 25 meat birds in another pen. I figured I was spending 2+hrs/day on filling waterers alone! That's a lot of work. Great return (full freezer and lots more eggs), but still a lot of work.
Fourth - how close are your neighbors and do you like them? People and dogs create more headaches for chicken owners than ever imagineable! If you've got close neighbors, you might consider hens only (which begs the question what do you do when Henrietta turns out to be Henry?!). If you're on a bigger lot, you can go bigger. If you're rural, how much time and funds do you wish to expend on this project.
Fifth - costs. Coop costs. Bedding costs. Feed costs. Equipment costs. It all adds up. Chicken math isn't only about new chicks! It's also about true financial responsibility. Our 25 meat birds ate 12 bags of feed their short lives. At $13.99 a bag, that adds up! Our additional chicks are using bedding like mad (they think it's grand fun to scratch about in it, chucking it out their door into the yard - sigh). Bedding is $5.99 a bag, coop takes 2 bags every change - I change it fully 6x/yr so that's 12 bags, but with these little additions, I'll need to change it monthly, adding up. Equipment costs - incubators, brooder lights/heaters, waterers, feeders, nesting boxes, wood, metal fencing for runs, hardware cloth for runs to predator proof - mercy it adds up quick!
But lastly, please consider that these creatures can be more than just livestock - they do manage to get into your heart in ways you'll not really understand until you wake up in the dead of night during a thunderstorm wondering if they're ok.
Hope this helps you evaluate and think through some things....start small and with clear reasons - so you can explain it to your friends who think you'll need a little visit to the 'funny farm' yourself!
Second - why are you venturing into chicken ownership? Eggs? Meat? Self-sufficiency? 4-H project? Kids want 'em? Think silkies are cute and want a bunch? Know why you want them and then try to figure out logistics.
Third - how big of a time commitment are you prepared to make? A flock of 4 hens is a lot less work than a flock of 12 hens and chicks and 25 meat birds and a brooder full of chicks. Trust me. Our flock of 6 hens doubled overnight thanks to 3 broody hens, plus purchased chicks in brooder, plus 25 meat birds in another pen. I figured I was spending 2+hrs/day on filling waterers alone! That's a lot of work. Great return (full freezer and lots more eggs), but still a lot of work.
Fourth - how close are your neighbors and do you like them? People and dogs create more headaches for chicken owners than ever imagineable! If you've got close neighbors, you might consider hens only (which begs the question what do you do when Henrietta turns out to be Henry?!). If you're on a bigger lot, you can go bigger. If you're rural, how much time and funds do you wish to expend on this project.
Fifth - costs. Coop costs. Bedding costs. Feed costs. Equipment costs. It all adds up. Chicken math isn't only about new chicks! It's also about true financial responsibility. Our 25 meat birds ate 12 bags of feed their short lives. At $13.99 a bag, that adds up! Our additional chicks are using bedding like mad (they think it's grand fun to scratch about in it, chucking it out their door into the yard - sigh). Bedding is $5.99 a bag, coop takes 2 bags every change - I change it fully 6x/yr so that's 12 bags, but with these little additions, I'll need to change it monthly, adding up. Equipment costs - incubators, brooder lights/heaters, waterers, feeders, nesting boxes, wood, metal fencing for runs, hardware cloth for runs to predator proof - mercy it adds up quick!
But lastly, please consider that these creatures can be more than just livestock - they do manage to get into your heart in ways you'll not really understand until you wake up in the dead of night during a thunderstorm wondering if they're ok.
Hope this helps you evaluate and think through some things....start small and with clear reasons - so you can explain it to your friends who think you'll need a little visit to the 'funny farm' yourself!
I have about a total of 50ish hens, roos, and chicks.
