Dadgumit I think I’m gonna get more!

[21hens-incharge]

My inner enabler wants me to tell you to go for it.....BUT my logical side is escorting the enabler out.

I agree with aart on this....give it a year and then decide.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree with aart as well, and as she mentioned, by getting more birds next year, it'll help spread out egg production and make it a little more consistent over time, rather than getting a lot of eggs for a year or two, then tapering off.

As much as I'd like to get more chickens I certainly don't need more eggs right now, but as my older birds slow down, and because I built with chicken math in mind, I'll be able to add chicks every few years to keep us rolling in eggs.

 

[aart]

About 50 sq feet of floor 6 foot high.

How many chicks?

 

[Jbum]

How many chicks?

Sorry 6

 

[aart]

Sorry 6

Perfect for 50sqft during Winter in Michigan!

 

[Willowspirit]

So our flock is about 5 weeks old. And next week or so I will be moving them from the brooder to the coop. But now that I am a bit more educated on the chicken life I think I am gonna add more to my flock. Once these go out I’m probably gonna get at least 4 more. I would like to stay more of a pure breed “non hybrid “ with the new ones. Any suggestions on what breed I should look into. I am in Michigan so it does get cold. Looking for more layers but I can see myself wanting to breed before to long.

Thanks in advance for helping with the Chicaddict........

Jbum

I am exactly where you are except I'm in Oregon and i want more chickens. Waiting a year is good advice and after the chickens for breeding get here i hope i won't get any more! Plus I'm thinking about goats for next year.

 

[Trux]

Good advice!! Wait a year, and during that year you can research your next breed, build on to the coop or build a bigger one, add a run if you don't have one already, and basically get ready for your larger flock.
And look into Bielefelders, a good hearty bird!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Black Australorps are awesome. Mine is super sweet, not to loud, friendly with people and lays about 5 eggs per week. They are very hardy as well.

I love my Australorp! I also recommend Easter Eggers.

 

[debid]

I learned this the first couple years, too. If you fill the coop straight out of the gate, you really do go from many eggs to nada when they all molt at once.

So, I also vote leave yourself growing room. While chick fever is not curable, you can manage the symptoms by adding to the flock every year or two.

Work on a grow out coop or in-coop brooder arrangement while you daydream about your next chicks. Integration sucks but there are ways to smooth it out a bit.

 

[Banditschickens]

Lets see started with 16 ended up with 8.
Next year got 16 ended up with 2 hen's out that lot.
Next year after that got 16 ended up with 12 hens.
This year got 20 waiting to see what I end up with..lol
So I've got approximately 30 to 40 chickens.
Some will find new homes.
Some will make a very nice chicken dumpling dinner.