How many chicks should I get?

[chickencoop789]

I am going to order some chicks from meyer hatchery. I only want 3 hens for my flock, but I dont know if I should get more then that. Im afraid that I might end up with a rooster even if I order hens. Im also afraid that one of my chicks might get sick and die. I dont want to end up with only 1 hen. What are the chances of that happening? Should I just order 3 or should I order more just in case?

 

[fiveladybugs]

I ordered all female from Meyer in the spring and received all female...however, I ordered three Anconas & three Brown Leghorns and three died during the first month I had them, leaving me with only one Brown Leghorn and two Anconas. I wish I had ordered just a few extras now.

 

[ZaksGarden]

I wanted a total of 4 Wyandotte Hens, I ordered 6 and ended up with 6 hens and had to give 2 away.

It's a gamble either way!

 

[Stephanie739]

When I bought my first batch of chickens (knowing nothing about chickens!) I only wanted 2 or 3, but Tractor Supply required a minimum of 6. I was nervous about having so many new "pets" I lost 2 of those first 6 to a dog when they were about 3 or 4 months old.

I have about 40 chickens now and 27 are babies

lol Its really easy to raise a group of chick babies.

What kind of chicks are you getting? If you are concerned about accidental roos, you could always buy the sex linked babies. I love my golden comets, very sweet and great layers.

 

[chickencoop789]

What kind of chicks are you getting? If you are concerned about accidental roos, you could always buy the sex linked babies. I love my golden comets, very sweet and great layers.

Im getting 1 barred rock, 1 ancona, 1 buff orpington, and 1 light brown leghorn. Im kinda having second thoughts on the leghorn (ive heard they can be nasty and flighty). If im not getting a leghorn im getting a partrige rock. All of them are hens.

 

[Stephanie739]

I love my white leghorns very much. I will always have leghorns in my flock. They are so sweet, good flyers, fantastic egg layers!!