How many chickens?

[sassysarah]

Probably a silly question but is it better to have odd or even number chickens or does it not matter? Also is it better to just have one breed or does that not matter?

You might wanna get two breeds of the same. So then I suggest you get an even number. So for example, two Barred Rocks , two buff Orpingtons

 

[flyin-lowe]

4 square feet of coop space per bird will make for better living conditions then 2 square foot. If they are not going to free range then 10 square foot of run space per bird is also the most common recommendation. It's not ideal to have them sleeping in nest boxes, try to avoid that. I have an odd number (9) and have never noticed an issue. They will establish a pecking order.

 

[JULIE L CORWIN]

I would measure the floor. Find your square foot measurements. Then go with 4 square foot per bird. To give them room. They won't be on the roost all the time. You don't want to crowd them. They will pick on each other if cramped. The bigger the better. For the run go with 10 square foot per bird The bigger the better. That is the way to keep them happy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Probably a silly question but is it better to have odd or even number chickens or does it not matter? Also is it better to just have one breed or does that not matter?

Doesn't really matter IMO if the number is odd or even. And generally speaking you can mix and match breeds, though you could possibly have issues if you mix sizes (bantams and standard) or very rarely, birds of different colors (i.e. if all the birds are buff except 1 is black, the black one may get picked on). But many people have mixed flocks without issue (my 4 are all different breeds) - and this is where having extra space helps, because it gives the birds at bottom of the pecking order a better chance at getting away from the others.

 

[Clayman88]

Just like to thank everyone who replied, the info was much appreciated. I've decided to go for four hens and see how that goes, I'm also going to go with either two Blackrock and two Blacktail or just four of one breed which would probably be the Blackrock again thank you for the help.

 

[sassysarah]

No problem! If I even helped! Lol