How many chickens do I need?

[babiesinacage]

So I inherited three chicks to foster from my job (a vet hospital) two had very bad infections and all three had splay-leg. Only one, our little Beatrice survived. She's only about a week old and has become bonded to us. We've just started looking at building a coop for her. The only worrying thing is that she's become super bonded to us. She cries when she's put back in her box and follows us around when she's put on the ground. sometimes she won't fall asleep unless we hold her. She has a warmie (an old i.v. fluid bag put in the microwave and wrapped in a hand towel) but sometimes she still won't fall asleep. I saw it mentioned somewhere else on here that companions for chickens are important but haven't really found much other information anywhere else. Does she need other chicks? if so how many? and where can I find more imformation on this?

Thank you so much, we're new chicken owners who have fallen in love with our B and desperatley want her to have the best living situation she possibly can.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I'd get her a few sisters to show her what a chicken is supposed to be like. She should do fine then

 

[gryeyes]

What Cindiloohoo said.

Yes, chickens are social animals. Until you can get her some sisters, go quick and pick up an inexpensive feather duster for her to huddle inside.

Two more chicks would be nice, but four would be better. (I just made that up with no particular rationale other than my chick-addicted brain.)


Edited to add: When I saw the subject line, my first response was a simple "More!"

 

[CrazyCatNChickenLady]

For now I would give her a mirror. and a stuffed animal?!!

But definately get her some friends!

also you realize you just asked about 50,000 chicken addicts how many you should get!! haha!

My 'minimum' was always 6. Its just a good number. Personally I think thats a good sized little flock! When they start to lay thats about 4-5 eggs a day. (my DBF eats 3 every AM, then if I cook/bake anything I was having trouble keeping up with our consumption.. so I got TONS more chicks!!) but are eggs going to be a benefit of having chickens? I'd figure out how many eggs you use and go from there. It sucks when you have laying birds but still have to buy eggs from the store (eww they're gross after the 'real deal'!!!)

 

[babiesinacage]

Thank you guys so much for the speedy replys! We were thinking about getting at most two more sisters for her, would she be ok with just one other? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE chickens, but we live in a relatively urban area.

 

[babiesinacage]

Quote:
Hahaha! We've showed her a mirror and she is inthralled! We though that it might just have something to do with the fact that she's a princess!

We primarilly just want the chickens because we love them and want them as companions. The eggs would just be an extra bonus to an otherwise vegan household! :]