Have 5 chicks...do I need one more for pairing?

[EricaCAL]

Hello everyone! I am brand new to this site and a brand new chick mother! I currently have 5 baby chicks all about 2.5 days old. My friend who is more experienced with chickens said I should have 6 because chickens pair up. Is this what you all would suggest? I can go to our local feed store and get one more but I dont want to wait too long cause they are all about the same age. Any help and support you can offer would be great! I am a super nervous new mom and just want to do the best thing possible for them all.

Thank you!!!
Erica

 

[Poultry parent]

Sometimes they pair up.

I've found that they just separate into groups of when you got them, so if you got some a few weeks after they'd stick together.

They should be fine without another

 

[Run Wild]

As someone who has raised chickens for the last five years, I say it's not necessary. Some chickens will pair up, but others prefer to be on their own.

 

[EricaCAL]

Sometimes they pair up.

I've found that they just separate into groups of when you got them, so if you got some a few weeks after they'd stick together.

They should be fine without another

Oh thank you so much Poultry Parent!!!!!!!! I really, really appreciate your response!!!

 

[EricaCAL]

As someone who has raised chickens for the last five years, I say it's not necessary. Some chickens will pair up, but others prefer to be on their own.

Hi Run Wild!!! Thank you so very much for this! I appreciate it so much! I have "chick fever" so getting one more sounds heavenly but glad to know prob not necessary.

 

[adcockfarm]

Hmm.. interesting! never heard of chickens pairing up... but i guess I've seen it now that i think about it...

 

[BYCforlife]

I have 9 hens in one run, 27 broilers in another and 5 chicks in yet another coop and they are all a huge group.

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I don't think you need another one - I've had groups of five who did fine.

 

[Folly's place]

Then again, there's 'chicken math'! Hw many more can you have in available space? There's always next year. Mary

 

[EricaCAL]

Hi all! I realized today that I hadn't thanked everyone for their responses...THANK YOU!!! I am so grateful to have found these forums. I am such a nervous new mother! I did end up getting one more baby to replace my little chick who died last week. I got an "Americana" (her name is Alice) and she is doing so well! She already comes when i call her and when you pick her up she snuggles in and falls asleep!!!!! I love her so much!! I am shocked how much I love these chicks. They are my world now!!