How many chickens do you own?

[JulieNKC]

I wanted 4-5 hens when I got my chickens I thought. I now have 23 ranging from a few weeks old to a few years old and 3 ducks. Oops.

 

[CapricornFarm]

DH says too many... You mean how many chickens do I have right now? Do chicks count? Lets see , I have 7 buff orpingtons, 8 RIR, 2 coronation Sussex, 13 buckeyes, 6 polish, 7 barred rocks, 1 Dominique, 10 silkies, 5 black australorps, 9 speckled Sussex , 5 silver laced Wyandottes, 2 lavender orpingtons, 3 salmon faverolles, 6 light Sussex, 3 Giant cochins, 8 Dark brahmas, 3 light brahmas, 3buff brahmas, 6 ameraucaunas, untold numbers of teenagers in chicken tractors, four brooders, two fish tanks and two cabinet incubators full. How many is that?

 

[ForeverFree]

11 pullets, 1 cockerel.

 

[NYRIR]

118 chickens
26 ducks
12 turkeys
5 geese

 

[chickenfarmer17]

104 chickens
2 ducks

 

[Taylorhens]

19 chickens and 1 duck.

But a few of my younger chicks will undoubtedly turn out to be roos and be re-homed in a couple of months, so hopefully I'll be down to 15 or so.

 

[AKsmama]

Began last year with 36- 31 pullets and 5 cockerels. . . since the broody monster hit this spring, 12 more have been added. At least 4 of those we already know are cockerels, time will tell with the others! It would be a lot more if we would let the three broody Marans in the coop sit on clutches, but I think we are done adding to the flock this year.

 

[moetrout]

I started with 6 last year. Then this spring we got 8 more. I butchered our nasty rooster a few weeks ago so that puts us at 13. Now we have one of the new 8 crowing. If he turns out nice he stays and if nasty then we will be down to 12. 12 is what I had planned for and built the coup for.

 

[citybiddies]

We have 6 pullets just about to start laying.

 

[ChicKat]

Quote:
Hi Harolddwel

Welcome--

Your ideal chicken count will depend upon a lot of different things. --> What do you want the chickens for? Eggs, pets, pets and eggs, yard decor etc. Once you decide that, then you need to decide which breed will best fill your purpose and that you really like. Next look at the space that you have for accomodations. How big will your coop be etc. Also, the younger the chick the greater the chance of mortality -- so people tell you to get extras. If you find pullets at the point of lay, or hens that are laying, your wait from purchase to getting eggs will be shortened. Otherwise it is about 6-months of chicken care before that happy first egg day.

IMO get at least 3, or at a minimum two because they are flock animals and need companionship. If you want eggs, think about getting chickens that lay different colored eggs. (my newest brainstorm) - That way you will be able to tell which hen is laying, just by the egg color.

It is difficult to get just a few-- as one poster said there is a 25 chicken minimum from some of the hatcheries. Tractor Supply will allow a purchase of fewer chickens. MyPetChicken.com allows for fewer chickens too. If you find a breeder or a chicken raiser near by you may get better critters than Tractor Supply.

Lots of decidion points here...Good luck with all the chicken planning... best advice -- jump in and get them.