How many chickens to start with?

[Kiki]

And some Olive Eggers...boy do I want some of them.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

You need a couple Welsummers and Crested Cream Legbars.

Double thAt!Crested Cream Legbars are so cool!Never owned one, but want need one!

 

[lazy gardener]

Now, you're being just plain mean!!!

 

[rileyslilhenz]

8 is a great number to start with and I love the Dominiques!

 

[lazy gardener]

Got the OE. Jack carries blue, so when he crosses with a fairly dark brown, the results are nice. My egg basket carries: cream, tan, varying shades of brown, blue, aqua, olive. Used to have some white. Now, colors are split about 50/50 between browns and blue/greens. Next few generations will most likely shift more towards brown/green.

 

[lazy gardener]

Having a mixed flock of chickens is like having a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get, and you can't eat just one.

 

[debid]

See, my thought about 8 is that you're going to have a ton of eggs for a couple years and then they start molting longer and maybe having health problems and then you have a lot of mouths to feed that aren't returning much of anything. So, I'd say if these will be pets rather than stewing hens when they slow down, get 4 or 5 to start and set up a coop that makes integrating easier. Then you can add a few fresh pullets every three years or so.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I am a little nuts....I have kept track of who lays what from day one.
My EE's lay the best...5 to 7 eggs a week.
Welsummers 4-6
Dom 4-6

Even if you order all girls there is still a chance you will get a boy. Keep that in mind too.
This last batch of chickens I ordered 9..1 ended up being a boy. It does happen.

And some Olive Eggers...boy do I want some of them.

Yes you are if you want Olive Eggers.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Now, you're being just plain mean!!!

Yes she is!

Having a mixed flock of chickens is like having a box of chocolates. You never know what you are gonna get, and you can't eat just one.

But you ARE the one eating your chickens like chocolates.

 

[adstowe]

debid makes a good point. I'd say build your coop/run for 10, but only buy 4. Then in about 18 months add 3-4 more. Based on your needs, that will give you plenty of eggs and you'll be setting yourself up for sustained egg production going forward.