Good Sized Flock?

[ponygal12]

I'm stuck!

I'm just wondering how many chickens would be in a small but good sized flock? I was set on getting 12 chicks. But then I heard that 6 chicks are better because you can get to know them more. What do think? I'm looking to stick with a smaller flock......Help?

 

[accio! chickens]

I have 19 hens. We're not on a first name basis except with the 5 EE hens and a couple of the Red Hens (Like Baldy Hen, who for some reason is completely bald on her head lol).

 

[Renee']

Well what's you purpose here? Pets or eggs, or??? If eggs, how many per week??

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

I have six, and i love them.

I would get 2 barred rocks, 2 black australorps, and two rhode island reds.

 

[ponygal12]

My purpose would mainly be for the pets. I don't like saying that though, because chickens aren't exactly pets. Let's just say for company and some eggs.

 

[ponygal12]

Quote:
My friend has 12 chickens and has a hard time keeping track of them. So maybe 6 would be better.....

 

[patandchickens]

One thing to consider: how many eggs will you realistically use yourself, and how many do you think you have an easy outlet for elsewhere (giving away or selling) at whatever level of work/aggravation you are willing to get into.

A thing I didn't really anticipate well enough when I went from a dozen or so chickens to two dozen was that you sometimes get A LOT OF EGGS. (Even one dozen chickens is more eggs than our family can use, and we do eat egg-based dinners a couple times a week and so forth). For both philosophical and laziness reasons I prefer to give away rather than sell the excess (although when people want to contribute to feed costs I don't say no) but honestly it would take some actual work to "find homes for" the eggs from any larger flock than I have now.

If you are entrepreneurial or know lotsa people wanting free home-raised eggs, that's not an issue, but otherwise it is something to think about

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[ponygal12]

Thanks everyone for your input! You've made some points I hadn't even considered.

Another question,

Is it okay to get a few different breeds of chickens? Say like 2 Barred Rocks, 2 RIR, and 2 New Hampshire Reds? (As you can see, I'm brand new to the chicken world!

)

 

[Renee']

My chickens serve the same purpose as you intend for yours. There is only my husband and me at home. We have 7 hens and 1 rooster and more eggs than we can use. My girls, and boy, are all friendly and individually identifiable. So ya may just want to try a half dozen because your idea of 12 chickens means lots of food and lots of eggs! Good luck to you. I just started raising chickens this year. They good pets and also a source of entertainment!

PS My brahmas are the friendliest of the flock.

 

[Renee']

Quote:
I think most people here would agree that a collage is a good idea.