Hello all! I am a new and green so-to-be urban chicken owner. I have been lurking on the BYC forums for some time now, but just joined. You are all so knowledgeable and I don't know what I would have done without BYC. My question in this -- how many chicks should I start with? We live in Charlotte, NC and our coop will be 4X6 and have an attached run. I have ordered 2 silkies, 1 EE, and I Buff Orpington, all due to arrive the week of April 9th. I'm thinking of adding one Salmon Faverolle to the order. Opinions on whether I should add the 5th chick?
I began to wonder lately if I start with 4 what the likely hood of having 4 adult chickens will be, given the fragility of chicks AND the number of hawks that seem to frequent our yard. I just saw a hawk yesterday pluck a baby bird from its nest in our yard. This isn't to say our coop and run won't be predator proof, but I do want to let my girls out almost daily, supervised, but I suppose there is always a chance that mother nature might take over.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks!
I began to wonder lately if I start with 4 what the likely hood of having 4 adult chickens will be, given the fragility of chicks AND the number of hawks that seem to frequent our yard. I just saw a hawk yesterday pluck a baby bird from its nest in our yard. This isn't to say our coop and run won't be predator proof, but I do want to let my girls out almost daily, supervised, but I suppose there is always a chance that mother nature might take over.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thanks!