How many birds are in your current flock?

[Chickassan]

Wow! And I thought I was bad for almost doubling the flock this year.

I started with 6 birds, I now have 45 Here's my list of breeds:

Ayam Cemani's
Black Australorp's
Light Brahma's
Production Reds
Isa Browns
Black Sex Links
White Leghorns
Old English Game Bantams
Porcelain D'uccles
Easter Eggers
Buff Orpingtons
And many, many mutts!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Currently 105 chickens, 9 muscovy, 16 turkeys.

I started with 8 chickens here in 1998, and 5 muscovy.

 

[RodNTN]

Wow! And I thought I was bad for almost doubling the flock this year.

I started with 6 birds 5 years ago, I just made it up to 45 this year I'm not that bad

 

[Mrs. K]

I can't imagine some of your feed bills! Whew!

When I first got started, a dozen... a year later chicken math - added way too many, however, a weasel helped me out. It was a hard lesson, but after we got it cleaned up, almost immediately I noticed the difference and peace in the flock. It made me very aware of the number of birds in the set up. One really needs to fit the physical set up.

Currently I am getting 1-2 eggs a day from a flock of 3 old girls, that will shortly be gone as they have not laid all summer, 3 pullets, that SHOULD be laying any day now, but are not, and 2 18 mothers that are laying... but will go to molt here shortly. And a broody hen that is raising 5 chicks....so of course is not laying.

I am praying that the young pullets start laying soon, or they may not lay till January if the days get too short before they start. I need to start getting the gumption up to cull those old girls. Pretty sure out of the 5 chicks - 3 are roosters.... well my old boy is getting old, so he will go in the next summer....

Chicken plans- made carefully...not always followed well.

Mrs K

 

[cholland]

I am at 25 right now with too many roosters.
I have one flock of mixed breeds. Buff orphington, EEs, Welsummer, and some Barred Holland's, with a BH rooster.
I have a second flock I started this year of a different line of Barred Holland's. 8 pullets and 6 roos right now. Need to get rid of 5 of those roos soon.
Two coops and three fenced in chicken yards. Hoping to add another fenced yard this fall.
Besides the eggs, they are great at clearing low vegetation and making compost for the garden.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Oh yes it was hard. The first time we culled a hen (she was a bully and an egg eater) I didn't eat meat for 3 months after and I was so sure I would continue life as a vegetarian. Then reality kicked in that I actually need meat to feel healthy.

I am pretty sure it would put me off any type of chicken for a long no while. Though I could happily be a vegetarian if I didn’t love bacon so much! Of course I don’t butcher pigs either that would most definitely effect my outlook on bacon.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I have 40 at the moment plus 8 chicks and 4 roosters. Just lost another 40 hens about 2+ weeks ago from a night coyote attack didn’t have the main coop closed forgot big mistake, they took all but one and left it dead. I have 4 smaller coops in my barn I normally close up the big coop then the smaller coops in the barn and shut the barn doors did it backwards that night and forgot the other coop. That cost me big time I was sick beyond believe still am.

Oh no! Sorry for your loss. That is just heartbreaking

 

[4hmomof4]

Hi Everyone,

Just curious as im starting to want more and more!

How many birds do you have in your current flock?
And How many did you originally start with?

We will be starting a flock soon, hoping to start out with about 10. Can't wait to get them going.

 

[Chickassan]

I started with 6 birds 5 years ago, I just made it up to 45 this year I'm not that bad

Nooo just a few every year, you've paced yourself.

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

I started off with 2 barnyard mixes 4 years ago when I joined BYC. Since then, Chicken Math kicked in!!! I now have 2 coops and 20 chickens. I have:
* My 2 original barnyard mixes
* 1 brown leghorn
* 1 BC Marans who has been broody 2 times since April and has hatched 1 Cochin x BC Marans and 3 Mille Fleur D’Uccle bantams which are only 2 weeks old
* 1 Blue Splash Marans
* 1 Silkie mix
* 1 California Leghorn
* 1 Lavender Orpington
* 1 Buff Brahma
* 3 Easter Eggers
* 1 GL Wyandotte
* 1 SL Wyandotte
* 1 Swedish flower
* and 1 Ameraucana x Polish cockerel.
I love each and everyone of them. They each have names and are thriving.
I’m Done! I incubate every year in my classroom , but this year I will be giving them all away!!!!

teachers like you are the reason we have chickens, lol!!!
THANK YOU! we love our little gals.
the teachers hatched 12 for the life cycle project. the children began discussing that the chicks returning to the farm would be "butchered" (the children's words not mine). they "saved" almost all of them. we took two-and now want more DESPERATELY.
happy 2018/2019 school year!