I know that it is said, that this is an addiction...I have to agree but I want to know, honestly, how do you control the numbers in your flock.. I will be getting my first flock (13 hens -in five different breeds and a roo) in June and I already want more/different breeds--like bantam Cochins, Black Copper Marans, SLW and ...well you get the picture! So, my question is: What controls the numbers in your flock: Do you let the size of your coop/run dictate the #? Do you let the amount of feed and vetting bill dictate? Or after a while your 'wants/needs' settle down and you can STOP --WANTING and NEEDING too much? My dh is already shaking his head at the thought of building another coop--more runs--brooder boxes--nestboxes....He just finished the first one..... Thank you
I am currently using all my willpower to keep the flock at its current size. I live in the city and am not allowed to have any chickens so I am technically breaking the law.
Geez I don't know, but right now it is the coop and run that are the deciding factor for me. I have 39 chickens out in the coop right now, In a coop that will hold about 38 large breed chickens the problem is this, I got 39 more chicks in the house growing up so they can go outside, and 9 more eggs in the incubator. About 10-15 might be roos so they will eventually get weeded out of the flock, all except one boy, MY Honeycomb is staying. So that will help some. So I will still have to rehome or process about 20 chicks more or less. A friend of mine says you will whittle them down to the breeds you like the best or your favorite chickens, and there is another problem (THEY ARE ALL MY FAVORITES). aLL of my chicks are super friendly! How in the world do you choose which ones goes and which one stays,? I sure hope someone comes on here and tells us both how to go about doing it. LOL Sandy
Right now it's the fence that is dictating. I started with one coop, then another and another and another. I've run out of fencing and DH says he ain't building no more till he gets some other stuff done first, lol.
I only built my coop for the 4 hens that is all we really need - and DH is using the size of the chicken tractor to hold me to it.
The person who has to build them stuff. Of course, I just get a few at a time, so they slowly increase....oh yeah, I am way eviler than any Silkie! With the chicken choosing...we let Mother Nature do it in the free-range pen. Unless they are extra special, like my footless chicken.
I've always felt it would be real easy to fall for the fuzzy butts and quickly get overwhelmed. Having just 15 makes it easy for me to get each one individual attention on a daily basis. I want my chickens to continue to be a pleasure and not a chore, so I'll keep my numbers pretty even for the forseeable future. I intend to do some hatching later this summer and have already made plans to give away some of my current chickens to friends. Maybe by next summer my health will have improved to the point where I can care for more, but I no longer allow my heart to rule the numbers.
