My friends got 6 chicks - 2 died. Then they gave us their 4 after a year, last summer. Then a fox got one this June and another one died yesterday. So now we're down to 2. Now what? Is it okay to have just 2? Their roost/coop fits 3 comfortably and and it's tight with 4 but they used to manage. When they're not sleeping they free range in about a quarter-acre so they have plenty of space except at night. My neighbor was saying that if we got just one more it would get picked on. And if we gave ours away to someone with a larger flock then ours would get picked on. So she recommended getting just 2 more, to even things out. I'm fine with just 2 chickens for now, but not if they're not happy with just each other... Advice?
When we first moved to our new house, a dog jumped into the temporary chicken run and made them all scatter. We had 3 chickens at the start, but only managed to get 2 back. The girls have seemed very happy with just each other. I'd worry if you were down to just 1.
A small flock, but probably well cared for one. If you want another, get one. Someone somewhere will always get picked on until they work out the pecking order.
Whatever makes you happy. I personally like the 3 minimum, as it makes a society. One top, one bottom an one in the middle of the pecking order.
