I want a small backyard flock. Should I start with 3 or 4?

[Pet Duck Boy]

I want a small backyard flock of 3 chickens. They are mostly for pets and eggs. I'm not sure on what breeds I'm getting, but they will be pretty standard. I'm stuck between getting 3 or 4 chicks. I want 3 chickens, so I don't want one dying off once I get 3, and then I end up with 1-2...I probably won't be able to get another chick if one does die. Are they pretty hardy? 4 would be a good number in case one doesn't make it...but I don't want to end up with 4 chickens either as I don't have enough room. Any thoughts?

 

[CoopCrazy]

I would go with three and if one dies you can always hit up your local feed store soon.. They will be getting chicks in soon.

 

[usschicago1]

I would do with four...When you have three there always seems to be one left out. Unless you get a trio, (rooster and 2 hens) then i would say three

 

[horsejody]

It doesn't matter how many you start with. They are addictive. A year from now you will have at least 20.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

They are going to be hens. That's one for 3, and one for 4. Not enough replies to decide yet!

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, go for four. Even numbers. It's not too bad if you - god forbid - "lose" one. My original plan was four hens.... and that's what I bought. When one chick died, I went back to the feed store and got two more. Whoops, now I had 5..... And when my dog killed one (my fault, not vigilant enough) I had to replace that chick, sooooo..... back to the feed store. Can't buy JUST ONE chick. Luckily, I'm only up to 7 girls and 1 boy.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Hmmm, ok. 4 chicks then?

 

[Kittymomma]

I'd go with four or even five because:

1. Occasionaly (about 10% of the time) the chicken sexers are wrong and you get a roo.
2. If you lose one it's a pain to raise and integrate a single
3. If everything goes well it is EASY to sell an extra pullet on CL so there's really no danger of getting stuck with more then you want---Unless you fall in love with all of them*

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

well we started out saying we were getting 3, got there brought home 4 and I have kicked myself in the backside for not bringing home 10 since that day! I swear if I coudl turn back time I would of gotten at least the law limit of 10 if not 15 and chanced the law lol SOooo if you ask me get as many as the law, space and money can take!!!!! lol

 

[little_grey_bantam]

You can't just buy a "few" chicks.
It's against chicken law and karma gets you and you end up with MORE!
I'd just jump right in and get at least 6-12

If ya have 3-4 cheeks, might as well get another couple just in case LOL Get smaller bantam breeds to make more space %3Pr