How many hens to keep me supplied with eggs for my family?

[austinhart123]

well considering that the average layer lays 5 eggs a week and some take weeks off, i would atleast buy 6 just to be safe

 

[gamebirdsonly]

depending on breed I would get 10 just to be safe or maybe a even dozen

 

[mlmadura]

I have 7 (24 -25 weeks old girls) -
One is a polish and she doesn't really lay consistently. My golden phoenix is a sweetie and lays daily - but small eggs -

Now my Barred Plymouth Rocks....Whoa Mama -

They lay daily - huge brown eggs - and they are very tame -

I also have a light brown leghorn who is very sweet - but I lost my other 3 to overheating/dehydration the first few weeks

My Polish will jump in my lap but

not a good layer.

No roos here - I don't want fertilized eggs

and mine are in an enclosed coop and run.

So that's my chicken insight - Hope it helps

 

[wendy]

Quote:
Yes raising from young chicks will help them be more tame and the more you are around them and handle them.

I have issues with a rooster. That is a personal preference. Not the crowing, it was the behavior to my children and us

Sex link, they know by color if it is a rooster or a hen

Wendy

 

[Mahonri]

We have 18 hens.

We are getting about a dozen a day.

With 8 people in our family, that's still many more than we can eat.

We have friends that love the fact we have chickens.

 

[fivestring]

Wow 18 hens! That's quite a flock.

I am a bit of an obsessive compulsive, when I do anything, it is usually overboard. I know me, I've seen me do it. I'll end up raising a huge number of chickens and going into the local egg business. I already suggested it and I got that 'here we go again' look.

I like the idea of huge eggs so I will be looking for the Barred Plymouth Rocks. They're good looking birds, too: (from Wikipedia)

Besides the hawks that live here, I also have a German shepherd that wants to eat anything that moves. I guess letting the flock roam free is going to be out of the question?

I believe a roo may be unnecessary if I can't let them run free. I don't think I want fertilized eggs right at the git go. Correct?

Thanks to all you kind folks for the help. Please tell me if any of my thinking here is flawed.

 

[herbsherbsflowers]

you might want to go with the Barred Rocks because their coloring will protect them some from the hawks. It is like camouflage. Any bird with some color is better than white ones for free ranging.

 

[cajunlizz]

A rooster is only necessary IF you plan on hatching chicks .

A good rooster also Controls the flock . I hae a BIG RED RIR ROOSTER that is excellent with the flock ... He steers them in and out of the coops . ONE sound from him , and the hens start moving from his directions .

I let 2 of my broody hens sit on eggs and they had beautiful chicks . BUT , after thinking that out , if you want to go into the " EGG BUSINESS " why raise chicks for 4 - 6 months before laying stage . Its expensive to feed them on all the different types of feed needed before laying pellets ...

So , needless to say , my broodies WILL NOT be sitting on anymore eggs .

I will continue to purchase pullets closer to laying stage and let it go at that . I have over 100 head right now of different breeds ... SEVERAL RIR'S , Black Austrolorps , only 4 barred rocks ( which they DO LAY HUGE EGGS) I measured their eggs and they are like 3 - 4 inches long , and BROWN eggs ..... I will probably be adding more barred rocks to the flock ...

 

[digitS']

Quote:
So that's like 18 to 30 eggs a week. At 5/week/hen, that's the work of 4 to 6 hens. I think chickiebaby has got it just about right and your math is good, fivestring!

I used to wish that everyone, everywhere had 1 chicken . . . family of 4, 4 chickens. Honestly, we found than with a family of 3, we had eggs to give away with 4 chickens. So, it works out about right around here. (BTW - some people should have zero chickens, but that's another story.

)

Rooster, I see some indecision on that and I'm right there with you. I've had 'em and enjoyed 'em but don't have any now. With so few hens, I don't think the economic justification is there - 20% more birds to feed.

Don't drift too far into the rare, heritage breeds or you may be frustrated with their low production schedule.

Here's a site that will help you get some ideas, fivestring:
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

Steve

 

[cajunlizz]

BUT , you need to remember , hens DO NOT all lay everyday , esp. with the days shorter with daylight hours and winter , they could or may stop laying til spring . Some breeds do , some just slow down .

Also , as they get older in the fall/winter season SOME can go thru a moulting stage where you will find a COOP FULL of feathers , when they do that , they stop laying as well .

So , if you want eggs regular and enough for your families needs , you do need to get more than 5 or 6 hens . More like 10 - 12 . Besides , you will end up getting addicted FAST , so why not plan on that from the beginning . So with that said , make sure when you build your coop and run they can both be big enough for you added amount . We started off with 6 head , we NOW have over 100 of different breeds . 2 cooops and 3 runs , because we DID NOT ever dream we could get so addicted ....

So , as for eggs , I really don't think I have to worry about having what all we will need , PLUS ....