50 chicks too many??

[lutz123]

I bought barred rocks, buff orpingtons, and rhode island reds - wanting to try different breeds. I'll sell what I need to to get it down to 4-6 hens, and will keep 6 or 8 guineas (currently in the bator). I know myself well enough to see that next spring I will be yearning for chicks (or to hatch) - and will want to try a new breed or two. When I sell the extras, it won't be for much - mostly just to move them on.

I spend about 10 to 15 minutes per day caring for 2 brooders with 8 chicks in one, and 3 chicks/2 keets in another - that's with a good once over of everyone, completely cleaning waterers, fishing shavings out of the feeder, uncovering the sand dish, and it's getting more involved as they get older - and bigger. My bigger ones already are getting ready to move into a 24"x48" bigger brooder. I can't imagine doing much more than I am right now, and I inevitably will be in the next month when everyone grows out of the current living quarters! But I could potentially have 25 youngsters on my hands if the guinea hatch goes well.

I also need to be careful not to scare my husband too much!

All that being said, if you have it in your head to sell most and have the time, it probably wouldn't be bad with planning. A thought though...it seems like most folks buy in the spring rather than late summer. Would it be better to raise your group of 50 super early next year so that you can take them to a local chickenswap?

 

[clayb226]

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Mine would be going to freezer camp, that is a major part of getting chickens. They are a great stress reliever to just sit out and watch, they provide food in way of eggs, and if I have too many that do not sale I will butcher them.

 

[BarefootMom]

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Oh mine will sell. We have a sale barn that sells chickens every saturday. Never fail there are always chickens and always buyers! Usually they bring $10-12 for year olds. That is our plan since we have mostly pullets.

 

[Nicole01]

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Do you live in the city? You're only allowed 7? WOW!!! That's no fun.

They couldn't pay me to live somewhere with so many restrictions.

No, I live in a very rural area! 3 of the 4 acres is wooded. Our neighbors are pretty spread out from each other. I had to really sweet talk Hubby to let me get a 6th chick. Actually, I think he forgot about it and didn't realize he said yes. I'm getting a Mille Fleur D'Uccle as soon as they arrive at the farm store. At least it's a small bantam, so he can't get too mad right? If I got 50 chicks, I'd really research the breeds and get a few each breed that looked interesting.

 

[ChestnutRidge]

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This is truly sage advice!

 

[zoa]

wow- this thread is a great read!!! I love everyone's stories....

that said- I am one of those MORE IS MORE people

but in the case of chicks I do kindof wish I hadn't gotten so many. We currently have (25) 5 and 6 week old chicks and (8) 3 week old chicks for a total of 33 chicks. I can handle it, but I do find it difficult to spend time with each one. Some of them are a lot more tame than others and at least once a day I wish I had only gotten a few at a time for that reason. We bought 25 of them straight run, and I am worried about how many of them will be roos and what we are going to do with them if we have too many.... Next year I will buy smaller quantities at a time and I will probably only buy them sexed.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!