flock size?

[sheena6292]

I was wondering if there was a rule of thumb for flock size? There is 6 of us and go through one to two dozen eggs a day. So far we have around 36 pullets and about 20 meat birds. And one old sweet natured rooster. Should we get a dozen more so we have enough to sell and reproduce? If this is a goofy question sorry. Oh 3 acres plus a 25 x 20 pen. And a 8 x 10 coop with 10 boxes and 3 roosts.

 

[flockof4]

Depending on the birds, you can expect an egg a day from your pullets. That would be 3 dozen eggs a day when they all start laying. As far as space for the birds, they'll let you know if they're too crowded. It seems like 56 birds for an 8 x 10 coop is a plenty.

 

[Bantimna]

The qeustion is, what breeds do you have?
Wait until your pullets are in full production before adding new birds.

 

[dumb_cluck]

All 56 kept in one coop? Maybe you should elaborate more.......

 

[sheena6292]

Well the coop is used for the babies. About 30 free range and go sleep in the barn, which I close up every night. And they also still use the juvie coops still. Our coop is really tall with 3 roosts and a loft above the nest boxes the roosts run long ways down the coop with ramps. And we have an enclosed corral in the barn for winter. Plenty of room for all I promise. As far as breeds okay 2 ee 9 comets 6 cal whites 6 rir 3 pro reds 6 Hampshire 3 BR 3 slw a pair of polish and 2 millies and a silkie. I am not counting meats cause we're processing now. And just so no one thinks we're mean we have another coop its closed up and being used for the garden nobody was going in it.

 

[bigoakhunter]

I agree with the previous advice. Wait till they all get laying and see. With those breeds you should expect around 32 eggs a day, ( 24 to 36) depending on feed, water, stress factors.

But if you have the facilities, ( sounds like you do) and means, more chickens are always fun.