How Common is it Lose a Chick?

[hokankai]

Sorry for all of the newb questions, just trying to be as prepared as I can for Friday! Anyway, we want to end up with 6-8 laying hens, should we just get 8 chicks? Or is it pretty common to lose one and should we go ahead and get nine?

 

[corancher]

It is pretty common to lose a few. I would get 10. You said you are new so it will give you a learning curve. Good luck with the chicks.

 

[buckabucka]

We ordered 26, and received 27, but one was DOA.
After that, we lost 3 others, so we're down to 23. One has a severe cross-beak, one turned out to be a rooster, etc., so definitely plan on losses.
Good luck and have fun!