50 chicks too many??

[mdbokc]

FWIW, if the generally recommended coop requirements are about 4 sq ft per bird when adults, your 10x12 is good for about 30 birds. Mine is 8 x 12 and I think 25 is getting a bit crowded when they get moving or in the winter when they are in there for awhile. Just musing.

 

[Germangirlygirl]

Me personally - for me 30 is enough and I don't plan to go over that. We will have plenty of eggs for the whole family and extras. I have 3.5 acres and they will be allowed to roam the property as they get older. Right now they range between 1 week - 8 weeks old and one 1 year old rooster some one gave me and 4 ducks. We like to watch them running around the garden in the afternoons, they are very intertaining to watch. The coop is mostly done - but still a work in progress.

 

[Gracie9205]

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Great advice to any newbie for sure!

 

[Germangirlygirl]

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Great advice to any newbie for sure!

that is cute!

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Some days I wish the same thing.

Everyone is right when they say it is a lot of work. It really is. And you have to be dedicated, have the space to keep everyone safe and secure, have the resources for coops, feed, etc and have the time, patience and heart to care for a lot of animals. They depend on us 24/7 and at no time can we use the excuses that we are too tired to care for them, not feeling well enough to care for them or put the chores off until another day.

I currently have about 130 chickens and about 200 animals TOTAL and I am the only person who cares for them. In the past, I have had up to 200 chickens at one time. It is a part time job but it's worth every minute.

So, if you have the time, space, resources, and energy to care for that many, then go for it but be prepared for all of the work.

 

[Germangirlygirl]

Quote:
Some days I wish the same thing.

Everyone is right when they say it is a lot of work. It really is. And you have to be dedicated, have the space to keep everyone safe and secure, have the resources for coops, feed, etc and have the time, patience and heart to care for a lot of animals. They depend on us 24/7 and at no time can we use the excuses that we are too tired to care for them, not feeling well enough to care for them or put the chores off until another day.

I currently have about 130 chickens and about 200 animals TOTAL and I am the only person who cares for them. In the past, I have had up to 200 chickens at one time. It is a part time job but it's worth every minute.

So, if you have the time, space, resources, and energy to care for that many, then go for it but be prepared for all of the work.

wow you have alot of animals!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I suggest you raise the ones you have to get a better idea of what is involved. At four days, you are still in an emotional, oh, they are so cute phase. They are cute, but give it some time.

You also need to see how fast they grow. You need to get that coop ready before you order them. Trust me, get it ready first.

If the reason you are ordering that many is to see which breeds you like, consider ordering fewer birds from someone like Ideal that does not have a number of chicks per breed minimum. If you order pullets and get two per breed, that is 20, not 50. You are likely to get a few roosters since sexing is not 100% accurate, but most will be pullets. Of course, most hatcheries don't try to sex bantams, so that could enter into the thought process.

 

[Eggcessive]

I ordered my 1st chicks in Feb. after reading about all the different breeds. I wanted a variety of colors and eggs, so I ordered 2 pullets of all my choices with a few roosters(3) totaling 25 plus the extra. Then the ones I couldn't get I ordered locally (12 more, 4 of which are bantams and straight run). They finally arrived this month and are l in my living room in 2 brooders--a 100 gallon stock tank for the 12-1 week olds,

and the dove-sized 26-2 1/2 week olds had to go into a 4x4x2 ft. box which they are already flying to the top to perch on. This has been the most fun I have ever had, but my house is a mess because they take up all my time. When they don't need the heat lamps as much, they will go into the coop, but I now realize my brand new run is way too small. So, please take your time thinking this over. Personally, I wish I had stopped at 25, but my little mille fleurs and silkies are awfully cute! I would hghly recommend that people order sexed pullets from a hatchery to not end up withh too many roos.

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

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Some days I wish the same thing.

Everyone is right when they say it is a lot of work. It really is. And you have to be dedicated, have the space to keep everyone safe and secure, have the resources for coops, feed, etc and have the time, patience and heart to care for a lot of animals. They depend on us 24/7 and at no time can we use the excuses that we are too tired to care for them, not feeling well enough to care for them or put the chores off until another day.

I currently have about 130 chickens and about 200 animals TOTAL and I am the only person who cares for them. In the past, I have had up to 200 chickens at one time. It is a part time job but it's worth every minute.

So, if you have the time, space, resources, and energy to care for that many, then go for it but be prepared for all of the work.

Wow you do have alot to take care of every day....I am by myself and have several dogs and more cats and chickens and I get overwhelmed and Forget about the expense, OMG it's never ending, when my dogs/cats have something wrong it's never an easy fix, its a trip or 2 or 3 to Cornell, they are killing me.....I guess out of everyone the chickens are the easiest to care for but put them along with all the others and it's really tough....but you get the prize for how many to care for by yourself !! Good luck with all those critters

 

[kuntrygirl]

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That is a great idea.