An advantage of adding next year, is that your whole flock will not be the same age. Once they are laying a few weeks really means nothing. As chickens age, they lay less eggs. If eggs are what you want, you need to add and subtract older hens each year.
If you wait you will have more experience with chickens, with your set up. Often times what seems like more than enough space when the birds are young, is not enough space when they are older.
Raising up a single flock, seeing how things work, like your water system, your roosts, your nests, wind management, and hardest of all - predator control...all may need to be adjusted to suit you and your girls needs. Get that set up and tested.
I keep a flock, I add and subtract birds each year. I have kept a flock for years.
Mrs K
If you wait you will have more experience with chickens, with your set up. Often times what seems like more than enough space when the birds are young, is not enough space when they are older.
Raising up a single flock, seeing how things work, like your water system, your roosts, your nests, wind management, and hardest of all - predator control...all may need to be adjusted to suit you and your girls needs. Get that set up and tested.
I keep a flock, I add and subtract birds each year. I have kept a flock for years.
Mrs K
