How many to order?

[JustRambling]

I'm allowed to have up to 6 chickens on my property, but I'm wondering if I order from an online hatchery, should I order more than 6 in case we lose some? Or should I stick with the 6? I was thinking of ordering 8 instead, just in case.

Thanks,
Diana

 

[e72071]

It's all a matter of what you want to do. If you think your neighbors won't have a problem with more than 6 than order a couple more just in case. If you only want 6 you may want to try and find a local farm that sells chicks if possible. I'm not sure if there are many hatcheries that ship less than 15. At least that is what I found when I was researching hatcheries.

Good luck.

 

[lazy gardener]

What ever you do, I strongly recommend that you have your coop and run built before you place your order. And consider how you will brood them. My recommendation is to brood them right in the coop, and use a heating pad cave to brood them. Be sure you build your coop and run big enough: a minimum of 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird, and use hardware cloth to cover all coop openings to make it predator proof. Lots of ventilation needed year round, yes... even in the dead of winter.

If you can sell any extras, you might order 8 - 9. That way you can re-home 2 - 3. This should cover any failure to thrive chick or a oops cockerel. I would avoid selling a single bird b/c of the stress of a single bird moving into a new flock.

 

[JustRambling]

It's all a matter of what you want to do. If you think your neighbors won't have a problem with more than 6 than order a couple more just in case. If you only want 6 you may want to try and find a local farm that sells chicks if possible. I'm not sure if there are many hatcheries that ship less than 15. At least that is what I found when I was researching hatcheries.

Good luck.

Yes, that is an issue, if I can't find someone to order with me. There are 1 or 2 that will ship less for a fee, but I was also going to look locally as well. I have specific breeds in mind, and am hoping that someone local will be able to provide those breeds. I don't think our neighbors would have a problem...especially if they get a dozen eggs passed on to them occasionally. Thanks for your reply!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

I'm also limited on my flock size (6 hens no roo), but I ordered 25 pullet chicks. I'm planning on raising them all then selling off all but the ones I plan to keep (probably 10, sshhh don't tell anyone) in the fall when prices for laying pullets are better. If things go according to plan, it should yield me a small profit. Well, profit if you use chicken math.

 

[KaylorFarms]

If you order 5 they always give you an extra

 

[JustRambling]

What ever you do, I strongly recommend that you have your coop and run built before you place your order. And consider how you will brood them. My recommendation is to brood them right in the coop, and use a heating pad cave to brood them. Be sure you build your coop and run big enough: a minimum of 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird, and use hardware cloth to cover all coop openings to make it predator proof. Lots of ventilation needed year round, yes... even in the dead of winter.

If you can sell any extras, you might order 8 - 9. That way you can re-home 2 - 3. This should cover any failure to thrive chick or a oops cockerel. I would avoid selling a single bird b/c of the stress of a single bird moving into a new flock.

Thanks! Good point about selling a single bird, I hadn't thought of that! I already have coop plans that I want to use, good for 6-8 chickens and it has a run as well. I've been reading up on all that is needed especially for winter time.