better to start off with 3 and progress 5-6 later, or start with 5-6?

[Kiki]

Haha Kiki, I like your thinking .
I think 6 is my max right now, don't want oh to have heart attack

I once got 4 then went back and got 3 more the next day.

Then the next time around I got 9.

 

[donrae]

with your coop and run size, I'd go with the 6. That's going to pretty much max out your coop space if they all survive, but your run is large enough things should be okay.

 

[MissJane]

I'm proof starting out with your max will be fine. I wanted 8-12 to start my first flock this summer. Because of order requirements I got 16. I was nervous, but it worked out fine. Unfortunately the neighbors dog killed 3 of them recently. I miss them and feel like my flock is to small now. Though I am worried that integrating may not go smoothly I plan to get more babies in the spring. I think baby chicks are very addictive! We had the brooder in the living room. While it was tons of work keeping it clean and odorless it was great fun to watch them so often. I also think having them inside helped the dogs and cats get used to them.