How many is a flock

[missmychicks]

Hi! I;ll be getting my coop/run set up in the spring, and will probably only have 6 birds max. No roos (fingers crossed!!) and won't eat after they've stopped laying so I want to stagger the ages of my flock so that I will have a better chance of eggs in the long run (diff breeds will be researched).
My question: how many to start with? I'm thinking 2, but am reading 3 is better? If 3, will 2 gang up one 1?
TYIA!

 

[sourland]

3 is better than 2 because if one dies two still remain as company for one another. Generally2 will not gang up on 1, but it happens. Even in a flock of 2 one may pick on the other. Chicken society is not always nice. Good luck in establishing your flock.

 

[missmychicks]

3 is better than 2 because if one dies two still remain as company for one another. Generally2 will not gang up on 1, but it happens. Even in a flock of 2 one may pick on the other. Chicken society is not always nice. Good luck in establishing your flock.

Great advice- I hadn't thought about lonliness.

 

[Iluveggers]

Yes definitely 3. Maybe wait a year or two after and add another 3…then once the first groups is slowing down, you’ll have some newer hens there to take over. When you lose 2, you can add a pair, etc, to keep a flock of 6 with a decent amount of eggs.

 

[missmychicks]

Yes definitely 3. Maybe wait a year or two after and add another 3…then once the first groups is slowing down, you’ll have some newer hens there to take over. When you lose 2, you can add a pair, etc, to keep a flock of 6 with a decent amount of eggs.

Great plan- thank you!