Chicken Math - I don't even have chickens yet

[Cyneswith]

"But would I prefer a blue or a splash? Oh well - I'll raise them until I'm sure they were sexed properly, then I'll sell my least favorites to [source]. But... what if I like them all? Well, my coop will be big enough for 8, and I'm ordering 7... I could keep them all? And still have room for a rooster!"

I don't even have chickens yet. This is dumb. So dumb.

*looks at more pictures of fluffy chickens*

(The plan is to order 1 lavender, 2 blue, and 4 buff orpingtons, keep the lavender, one BBS, and one buff, and pass the rest to someone who goes to livestock auctions on regular basis in hopes of making back what I spent on the extras. That's the plan...)

 

[Haihai]

I understand your dilemma! I have one lavender two blue one buff orphington and two autralorps, there so sweet! I love them all, I think the two autralorps are roo's and now that I'm attached I'd hate to say goodbye

 

[aart]

"But would I prefer a blue or a splash? Oh well - I'll raise them until I'm sure they were sexed properly, then I'll sell my least favorites to [source]. But... what if I like them all? Well, my coop will be big enough for 8, and I'm ordering 7... I could keep them all? And still have room for a rooster!"

I don't even have chickens yet. This is dumb. So dumb.

*looks at more pictures of fluffy chickens*

(The plan is to order 1 lavender, 2 blue, and 4 buff orpingtons, keep the lavender, one BBS, and one buff, and pass the rest to someone who goes to livestock auctions on regular basis in hopes of making back what I spent on the extras. That's the plan...)

Haha! At least you are aware

Just how big, in feet by feet, is "big enough for 8"?

 

[Cyneswith]

Haha! At least you are aware

Just how big, in feet by feet, is "big enough for 8"?

8x4 coop (just barely big enough for 8 orpingtons, nice for 3), 8x12 run. And having figured out the chicken genetics calculator last night, my brain is running through what I'd need to do the breeding project I want. The answer is way too many chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

That's why my coop has grown 3x, and I just overwintered 45! Mary

 

[SoCha]

I have 2 Light Sussex, and 2 Orpington (1 Lemon and 1 Buff) My personal favourites are the Orpingtons, their so sweet, friendly, calm, and love to sit on you and relax! Sorya

 

[Mrs. K]

This sanity talking here. As time goes on... you find even more, and circumstances aid and abet you getting more. Start out with less, get just one of the BO.'s Next year add a couple more, 3rd year, cull and add. This keeps your flock young and healthy.

Such a fun hobby, but nothing causes more problems and ruins it more for people than too many chickens for a set amount of space.

If you choose to disregard this advice, I won't feel bad, as I fight with this all the time. I KNOW what I should do, but.... Recently a predator worked to get me back in line. My granddaughter said, "Oh well, we should get new chicks!" Yeah, I start 'em young.

Mrs K

 

[Haihai]

@Sorya C my orphington is the best! Sweet and gentle, but a leader when she needs to be... everyone raves at how gentle silkies are but my orphington (Becky) is honestly the sweetest!

 

[MesMama]

Yep that darn chicken math will getcha! I have to keep myself in check as I have plenty of room for more than what I have So I have to avoid threads with pictures of cute chicks in them and I also avoid the farm store here in the spring when they get chicks in...RUN AWAY!!! LOL!

 

[BantyChooks]

"But would I prefer a blue or a splash? Oh well - I'll raise them until I'm sure they were sexed properly, then I'll sell my least favorites to [source]. But... what if I like them all? Well, my coop will be big enough for 8, and I'm ordering 7... I could keep them all? And still have room for a rooster!"

I don't even have chickens yet. This is dumb. So dumb.

*looks at more pictures of fluffy chickens*

(The plan is to order 1 lavender, 2 blue, and 4 buff orpingtons, keep the lavender, one BBS, and one buff, and pass the rest to someone who goes to livestock auctions on regular basis in hopes of making back what I spent on the extras. That's the plan...)

...And then you get nailed by other poultry math. May I interest you in some pictures of sweet ducklings or adorable quail babies?