We started 4 years ago with just 6 from a local farm store.
4 years and 4 more coops later: 17 hens, 3 roos. 15 3 week olds, 14 1 week olds, and 30 more a week away from hatching.
And hubby just came home with 7 1 week olds from an embryology project.
sigh.
Just dropped off a dozen hatching eggs with a coworker who has 2 broodies ( sure we'll take the chicks back) ( No, his wife will want them, I hope.)
Another coworker wants a half dozen to hatch for his son ( sure we'll take the chicks back- those we MAY get back!)
At least it's keeping DH busy in his retirement and that is a good thing!