Chicken newbie

[Donshawsie]

Have coup and run all in place and have ordered 10 chickens which are due in end of July. Since I've never done this before, would you chicken lovers out there recommend less (perhaps 5) or is 10 an okay amount?

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC!

Ten sounds great. It may seem overwhelming at times, but I think it should all work out.

I'm glad you could join our flock!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! 10 sounds great, if you only started with 5 I'm more than sure you would want to add more soon anyway. You have come to the right place for all the learning here. Have you checked out the learning centre? Lots of very informative and helpful articles on getting started with your chicken adventures. Here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Be sure to ask any questions that you may have, everyone here to help you along the way.

Enjoy BYC and your new chickens

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

what breeds are you getting?

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. If you plan on keeping a rooster for breeding, you will need 10 (9 pullets and 1 cockerel). The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature, too many roosters will become very hard physically on the hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. Hopefully you ordered "pullets" rather than "straight run" or you will end up with a lot of cockerels. Even with a pullet order, you are likely to get 1 rooster as most hatcheries only guarantee 90% on sexed orders. If you are not keeping a rooster, then keeping only 5 pullets will work just fine. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in getting your flock.