How do you count your chickens?

[gritsar]

We did a coop move the other night that turned into total chaos. What should have taken a hour took four, most of it done by flashlight and tractor lights.

We finally get done, DH is thoroughly exhausted, covered in dirt and fire ant bites and I insist on doing a headcount; even though the doors were locked the whole time so there's no way a chicken got out.

While DH holds a flashlight I do the headcount - 10 adult hens, then count again in sets (1 SF, 2 EEs, 2 SS, 3 turkens, 2 silkies), 3 teenage chicks, 5 black chicks, 2 polish chicks and their step-sister. For a total of 21 chickens. Then count them one more time even though I got the right number the first time.

At this point DH's ready to strangle me. So I push my luck and decide I want to count the brahma girls one.more.time.

4 buff brahmas, 3 dark brahmas, 4 light brahmas and a rooster. Total of 12 in that coop.

DH shakes his head as he walks away. He can't understand why I don't count them as whole flocks instead of breaking them down into sets.

So how do you count your chickens? OCD like me or the "normal" way?

 

[HHandbasket]

I am just like you.

How many EE's? And how many mixed breeds? How many banties now? Oh, okay… yeah.... I divide 'em up by groups.

As long as the end total is correct, I don't panic toooooo terrribly bad.

 

[geepy]

I count them one by one, but hubby just says I have to many.
I like my math better.

 

[centrarchid]

To aid with head counts to detect loss, I have gone to trouble of setting up roost poles so birds in straight lines. They are also at height (7 feet) so each can be touched as counted. I want to do its fast because I have multiple roost sites to check.

 

[farm&countrygirl]

I break them down by breed. I will first make sure I have 3 dark brown ones with crazy beards(Americanas), Then i make sure there are 4 redish ones with white specks(Golden Comets), 3 light tan and very fluffy ones(Puffs), and lastly I make sure there is a black and white striped one(Barred Rock). Although recently it as gotten really confusing because I did have 2 Barred Rocks, a rooster and hen, but the hen had just died recently so my count is all off and I keep thinking she is missing. I have my chickens penned up everyday and for some reason I find the need to do a head count everyday.

 

[Imp]

I only have 2 in the coop.

Imp- Uses all my fingers and toes.

 

[Lindz]

Since I only have 7 right now I just make sure there is 5 that look alike and a black one and a white one.

Im sure that will change when I get more.

 

[debilorrah]

At feed time. They are too busy to run.

 

[tinychicky]

first generation girls (3), 2nd generation girls(4), 3rd generation girls (3) new girls (2) aurora (1. obviously..) june and darkflight's coop (ummm 2: june and darkflight lol) the older chicks (4) the little chicks (2) main coop roos (3) tiny(just tiny) then ummm is that everyone?? yeah...

 

[geepy]

Quote:
*wishes mine were so easy*