Do you count your chickens before bed?

[Folly's place]

We do a count every night if they have been free ranging that day. Usually fewer than 50, except for summer, when the numbers climb, usually no more than 75, though.
It's easiest to count them by type, or in sections of the coop.
There have been times when a missing bird is alive out there, and can be saved!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

It may take up to three counts to get the right number...
Mary

 

[21hens-incharge]

I count every night....
That way if one is feeling off and huddled in the run I can make sure she gets tended to.

Currently 27 chickens and 7 ducklings here. I have had as many as 42 chickens.

 

[aart]

I find them much easier to count well after dark when I lock up.
Have had up to 38, during spring summer after hatching time, but in two sections of coop.
I'd never have more chickens than I could count.

 

[BantyChooks]

I used to count, but my flock varies so greatly month-to-month that I've given up on having more than a vague idea of how many birds I have.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I count, and then recount lol. I have eleven adults in the coop and two babies. I lift mama to count her babies then count the adults. Five in the brooder. The one night I decided not to count because I was tired, one hen turned up missing in the morning. Turns out she decided to go broody on a hidden stash of eggs. She survived, but it was a mistake I vowed I wouldn't make again. I met a woman once who had 3 coops, over 50 chickens, and over 100 ducks. She said she never locked them up without a headcount. I'm still mind boggled over trying to count than many poultry!

 

[rascal66]

I used to always count them when I had like 15 of them... Now that I have over 50 hens and 20 or so chicks, it's too much to keep up with I wish I could still count them, but it just takes too long now.

 

[Chickassan]

I don't count, mine are named so it is really more of a roll call.
I would do this no matter how many were here, im twisted like that.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I don't count, mine are named so it is really more of a roll call.
I would do this no matter how many were here, im twisted like that.

Haha, my brain doesn't cooperate sometimes. I can come up short on my count and for the life of me can't remember who might be missing, and they are all named too!

 

[Chickassan]

Iv'e "lost" one that was sitting on my shoulder.
I understand.

Haha, my brain doesn't cooperate sometimes. I can come up short on my count and for the life of me can't remember who might be missing, and they are all named too!