How do you count your chickens?

[janiedoe]

How do you count your chickens (or ducks, turkeys, geese..) when locking them in for the night?

I count mine in groups, according to age, family, breed, etc.
For instance my 12 week olds (4), my 9 month olds (8), my 1 year olds (3), my young hens (4) my middle age hens (3) old girls (4), my 2nd coop(11) etc. I say everyone's name as I count, just because it helps me keep my count straight.
I don't actually count the little chicks because they are with their mama hens. or in the brooder and I don't count cockrels or roosters either.

Also, by counting in groups, I don't have any real idea of the exact number of chickens in my yard.

 

[sourland]

By fractions - it keeps the total number lower.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

I only have to be able to count to 8, but I do it twice just to make sure I didn't miss anyone.

 

[Chookchicken]

I just look in their run (which they can’t escape), and if there are no chickens in there then I look their door. I will than pat my broody’s and watch all there interested heads looking through the door, and than go inside.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I guess I technically count mine in groups as well, based on the coop / pen they sleep in, but 43 of mine are in the same coop so I'm already disillusioned about having a small number of birds.

 

[KingD]

I never count mine.
Is it weird that I don't even know how many hens I have at the moment?

I think it's 15, maybe 16. Was 60

Predation keeps the numbers down lol.
I'll go check now.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I wouldn't say it's weird not knowing exactly how many you have. Despite that I know I have 43 in my main coop, it would take me a few minutes of thinking to give you my actual total number of chickens.

 

[janiedoe]

I never count mine.
Is it weird that I don't even know how many hens I have at the moment?

I think it's 15, maybe 16. Was 60

Predation keeps the numbers down lol.
I'll go check now.

We have raccoons. I see tracks around the pond daily and my husband killed a sick one a few weeks back.
We haven't seen any other predator in a while, unless you count the nasty buffalo gnats that killed one of my brahma hens a couple of weeks back.
I also had a young hen who kept getting onto the roof of our travel trailer. She jumped off one day and broke her neck. A shame, she was a sweet olive egger, but not so smart.

 

[chickentrains]

I only have 7. Count them on the rooost.

 

[turkey girl 0964]

I count them by breeds. Lets say like 2 Orps 3 RIR, ect, ect.