How many hens should I plan for?

[crosbygroup]

We have 4 different types of chickens (see signature) and by far my favorite is the Barred Rock Amy. She is always the first to come running when I call. My second favorite in our flock is the RIR her name is Annie. If you hold still when she is up on a perch she will jump on your shoulder and hang out for a while.

Good Luck.

 

[BarredBuff]

I think you oughta make an assorment I wouldnt do orpingtons they will go broody and try to hatch your unfertile eggs. Maybe 3 Sussex, 3 Sexlinks, and maybe 2 Easter Eggers. Good Luck!

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I personally enjoy not having duplicates, so it's easy to tell which chicken I have in front of me. Mine are as much pets as they are egg makers.

I would get at least 2 EE's, because the eggs are so pretty. My neighbor kid eats all of my blue eggs, and that's alright with me. Maybe a Welsummer or a Marans so you'd get a dark egg in the mix. It's really fun to give a dozen multi-colored eggs away as gifts.

I think all of your breeds will be fine in the winter. EE's are great because they have pea combs with cant really get frost bitten, and muffs and beards over their wattles, so those are safe to.

And make sure to get a BO. Mine is the sweetest thing, and is a bit of a beauty queen in our yard. She's the favorite of all of my guests. AND she lays nearly every day.

 

[Joyryder]

I love having a rainbow of colored eggs, you just can't get it from a store. And it amazes others, who don't know green, blue and dark brown even existed. I have 23 cold hardy hens and even in the winter I'm getting 10 dozen eggs a week. My favorite is the Buff orps for the docility. But I love my EEs for green eggs and my Ameraucanas for blue eggs. I have marans in the bator for chocolate brown eggs and I'm looking for Welsummers for terra cotta eggs. 3 to 4 hens can give you 12 to 20 eggs.

 

[fordmommy]

I am in agreement with the others. I have a RIR named "Red". She is my 4 yr old's chicken. Sweetest girl to put up with him.

Great layer. Very curious. Wants to know eveything going on around her. I also had an EE. So wonderful! But she was killed be a loose dog.

I got about a egg every other day from her. I also have a Blue Splah Orp. Gorgous girl. But she's broody. I have 6 Black Copper Maran eggs under her now. Great mama.

Another breed to concider is Black Austrolope. My "Big Bertha" is the sweetest girl! She looks out for the little ones. Great personallity! I just love her. She's my favorite girl!

I also agree about the BR. My girls are hyper and ancious before they lay though. But the best girls and great layers. They are very curious also. Need to know what's going on. I have one named "Spooky" right now. I named her that because she runs away from everything. But once you catch her, she just sits there, quitely cooing at you and curiously watching you. Very sweet.

 

[fordmommy]

You know. I never gave an answer on how many you will need! If you go with a mixed flock of the ones you mentioned in the beginning, about 5-10 would be enough.

 

[NarleevilleClucks]

I also have an urban flock! It's a great time and people love the craziness of the chicken lady in town! I have one RIR, one Red Sexlink, one Smut Sexlink, and one Barred Rock...they each lay an egg a day and I'm in Maryland, hot summers and nasty winters! I've got great chix!