4 hens or 6? lol...

[EastCoastChickens]

Ok so I have ordered 4 pullets, but the more I read the more I think I should get more birds. We have the space for about 8-10 birds but I thought I'd get 4 to start. Now that I've researched I wonder if I should just get 6 to start. Is adding birds to the flock later on that difficult? Would I be best to just get 6 right away, or stick to my plan of getting 4 to start and adding a couple later?
I worry that if I only have 4 and something was to happen to one or two of them that I would only be left with 2. Also as a flock animal that is social, I feel it would be in their best interest to have more birds. What are your thoughts?
Our coop is 4'x6' with a 12' x 6' enclosure and hoping to free range them during the days we are home after a couple months of getting used to their new home.

 

[sloanbychoice]

Agreed.
If you think you’ll get more, meaning chicken math has already taken effect, then I would do it from the start.
Integrating can be done and is all the time, but it can be a process at times.
I say go for it and start bigger.

 

[EastCoastChickens]

Agreed.
If you think you’ll get more, meaning chicken math has already taken effect, then I would do it from the start.
Integrating can be done and is all the time, but it can be a process at times.
I say go for it and start bigger.

Thanks, That was my thought process over the last few days. I just would like to keep them as layers, we will not be using them for meat and constantly adding or taking from the flock. I just thought if I have the room, why not....Chicken math is real isn't it! hahaha
Cheers!

 

[B-Goock]

Unexpected things happen.

I'm on 20 acres and a cliff on one side of my property. Majority of neighbors are a mile away so we freerange often. Well 2 dogs showed up about 2 weeks ago and they killed several birds & injured a couple others. 4 can turn to zero in one incident. I'm sure one reason your getting chickens is eggs? What breed, time of year, molting, can affect egg production. I vote 6.

 

[EastCoastChickens]

Unexpected things happen.

I'm on 20 acres and a cliff on one side of my property. Majority of neighbors are a mile away so we freerange often. Well 2 dogs showed up about 2 weeks ago and they killed several birds & injured a couple others. 4 can turn to zero in one incident. I'm sure one reason your getting chickens is eggs? What breed, time of year, molting, can affect egg production. I vote 6.

So true, thats also my worry is predators. We have ALOT of foxes, Fischers, Weasels and Racoons around. The enclosure will be 1/2 inch hardware cloth and very predator proof. We also live on solid rock formations so it will be impossible for anything to dig. But I do worry that if an incident occurred that my flock would be gone overnight. That is the sad truth. I think your right 5 or 6 would be better. I just wasn't wanting to overcrowd.
Thanks for your input!

 

[B-Goock]

So true, thats also my worry is predators. We have ALOT of foxes, Fischers, Weasels and Racoons around. The enclosure will be 1/2 inch hardware cloth and very predator proof. We also live on solid rock formations so it will be impossible for anything to dig. But I do worry that if an incident occurred that my flock would be gone overnight. That is the sad truth. I think your right 5 or 6 would be better. I just wasn't wanting to overcrowd.
Thanks for your input!

I'm on a rock as well. Definitely have a nice hammer drill for setting posts.
What breed are you going with?

 

[Rainwing]

I always like having a few extra than usual just in case something wreaks havoc on them all, like a mink My first batch of chicks seemed excessive at 9, but after raccoon attacks it was only 6 that lived to produce eggs.

 

[EastCoastChickens]

I'm on a rock as well. Definitely have a nice hammer drill for setting posts.
What breed are you going with?

haha oh I do. I used rebar and drilled the coop into the rock with some concrete for security against our winds and the odd hurricane off the coast.
We are getting 1 Buff Orpington, 2 Rhode Island Reds and 1 or possibly 2 Black Australorps.

 

[moniquem]

I would get 6. I started with 5: one turned out to be a roo-which I cant have- and another turned out to be a really aggressive hen-which I re-homed. So I am left with 3.

I have a Black Australorp, truly the best hen ever. Very calm and lays 5-6 times per week.

My girls are 2 this year, I will most likely build a bigger coop this year and integrate new chicks next spring.

 

[jreardon1918]

I read your post about your new coop. You look pretty handy. If you start with 6 you will be pretty much at capacity. When you decide that chicken math is going to happen, I think you will need to get out the hammer and nails and do an addition. If you start with a smaller number, say 4. Then next year assuming there is no chicken math subtraction, you will have room for a few more. Adding chicks in year 2 might get you eggs through the 2nd winter.
Good luck.