How many chicks should I order?

[Melissa Rose]

Quote:
Ohhhh trading for baked goods - yummmy - that's reallllllly good chicken math there

 

[Chemguy]

The guidelines I've received from this site have been good, but confusing at first. I wanted a specific answer and that's just not possible with the variation in climate, bird temperament and management practices. What others have submitted in this thread is all within the realm of reasonable. I used the 4 sq. ft. guideline in determining how many birds would be comfortable in the coop if they were to be spending a lot of time inside of the coop. I also have a decent run (15x25 ft) and the birds go out every day. Overall my 8 birds have plenty of space, and if they need to be shut in the coop they should also have enough room. So far that hasn't happened. But I am prepared if it does.

As for the dieoff, my experience is that there has been none. However, there are others that have lost birds. It is a prudent thing to keep in mind, but I would still use a 0 dieoff rate in determining flock size, just so that if they all do survive there will still be plenty of room.

 

[chickengrandma]

And, don't forget "packing peanuts". If you order 12...you could get 14 or 16 or..... (and the packing peanuts are always the cutest, so you gotta keep 'em).

And, don't rely on them spending a lot of time indoors just because of colder temps in Jan/Feb. They have down coats on - they don't mind the weather as much as we (sissies) do!

 

[The Lazy L]

Well I've done it!

Went online with Meyer Hatchery.

8 ladies and 1 gentleman (hopefully) will arrive May 22nd - 24th.

Date is after the Daughter's wedding and after the wife's birthday...maybe I can convince the wife the chicks are a late birthday present...nah I ain't THAT dumb!

 

[Chickmate]

Woo Hoo Lazy L! Congratulations on your chick order. Now the fun begins, getting everything ready for their arrival. I have 13 hens and 2 roosters in a 10 x 14 coop with an enclosed 14 x 24 run. They do free-range every day, but if they have to be locked in for any reason there is plenty of room for them. I am thinking of ordering 6 more chicks to arrive in the spring as well.

 

[cmom]

and congratulations on your chick order. I have gotten chicks from Ideal but I ordered from them because they are in Texas and I live in Florida. Only once did I get a boy that was supposed to be a pullet, but their guarantee is 90% and all arrived healthy. In the winter months most hatcheries add packing peanuts and they are usually cockerels.

 

[jerryb]

Hey L,

good luck on the chicks, we started our chicks last year in the garage in late April and it worked out well.

Where are you in "northern indiana" I live in Sturgis and would be interested in sharing an order, or swapping chicks/birs should the need arise. you can pm me if you are hesitant to post your location.

My daughter is hatching some chicks to use for 4-H breeding stock chickens, one hatched overnight, and I am thinking about hatching some eggs to sell at the Hillsdale auction as chicks. I have found a couple of local sources of fertile eggs cheep.

good luck
Jerry

 

[ChickDaze]

I had one DOA, one die on the first night out (that may be an older chicken's fault), and one mis-sexed (didn't know until it was too late to be reimbursed) all in one order, but I was quite happy with my order.

Keep in mind that your Orp will probobly get broody. Giving her a roo will get you more chicks, and that adds to the number. Also, when they give you packing peanut roosters, you want about ten hens for one roo, so unless you want cockfighting (mine was quite odd and ended in one bloody hen), share your order with someone. You're right to count in the losing chick thing on your part. I lost FIVE in one day, and that is only because the last two were trapped inside the coop.

Best suggestion I can make.

 

[BlazeJester]

Your wife will change her mind once she sees those gorgeous golden orange yolks.

 

[The Lazy L]

Quote:
I'd be greatly surprised if she did change her mind.

She grew up on farms and still prefers store bought eggs AND she isn't a blonde (joke).