How did you start your flock?

[Farmgirl283420]

How did you start your flock? just wondering!!! I thought this would be cool so I could see how people usually start their flocks

 

[Sussex19]

I got two pullets and a cockerel off gumtree.
Not what I would do if I could start over again, after finding I have lice, mites, (ok, they may have come from wild birds) and possible Mareks.
I still have a very happy flock though, it just takes a bit more maintenance.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Back in the '80s we picked up 11 hens and a rooster from a hatchery. These grew up to be beautiful' friendly Rhode Island Reds.

 

[Callender Girl]

When avian flu was running rampant in 2016, I got adult hens for $5 a piece from a 4-H kid who couldn't show them at the fair.

Chicken math got me from the outset. I went there planning to come home with three hens; I left with four -- a Buff Orpington, a Plymouth Barred Rock, a Rhode Island Red and a Sicilian Buttercup.

 

[Silexian]

A cousin gave me a pair of bantams, when I was about 8 years old. I was so happy to have chickens that were not a white, dual purpose breed. Like most everyone I knew had. I have had chickens ever since. I am now 52.

 

[Sally PB]

I got "pandemic chickens" in March of 2020. I added chicks in 2021, and am adding more this May.

 

[aart]

Wanted 6 hens, agreed to take a rooster and got 4 young birds as a bonus.
I really didn't want a rooster.
One of the youngsters was a male, my first slaughter and when I learned they had lice bad.
The rooster was great tho, I learned a lot from having him, and gave him back to the same person when I wanted a different breed for hatching.
There was also a respiratory issue that came with these birds.
Not sure I'd go the same route if I was starting a new flock, I'd probably get hatchery chicks.

 

[theoldchick]

I ordered from Cackle Hatchery.

 

[Pghelp]

Almost 6 years ago my stepdaughter got tired of being an urban farmer and rehomed her flock of 4. None of those original girls remain but I now have a flock of 9 varying ages. I got chicks at the beginning of pandemic and added some when my girls went broody. Chicken math!