Looking for experiences from SMALL flock owners - 4 or less hens?

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

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I watched the video and commented on it too! How sweet!!! Did I hear dogs too??

 

[GardeNerd]

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I would recommend getting the extra 1. What if one turns out to be a rooster? The sexing at hatcheries is only 90%. You won't know for sure until they are all at an age that it is hard to move in a single newcomer. It is easier to subtract a hen than add a hen if you have to. Just my opinion.

 

[Appytaz]

I have 6 hens and 2 roos. They free range on my 2 acres. They are a good number for me. They are very easy to keep up with and feed. We seem to have a happy number!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

If you only want a few you could get point of lay hens, two or three will calm down very quickly and start laying right away. Eglu sends them with their setup I forget which hatchery they use- you order them at the same time you order the coop, and feedback has been that they are very nice tame birds.

I also second the opinion that just two or three reduce cleaning problems, don't damage the yard as much, and will produce plenty of eggs. If you are lucky enough to have pleasant neighbors, why would you want to risk a good thing by overdoing it?

I also want to add that in the city it is also best to have a separate (safe) enclosure for them. I have a playhouse coop- which has an enclosed covered run attached. It sits over in a corner of the garden. You can always let them out in the yard when you wish, but they have their own space and do not suffer if you need to keep them penned up for any reason. (ie. chickens in a clean pen in the corner of the garden that the children can give their scraps to are a charming addition to your outdoor barbecue - chicken poo on the table charms no one). And the peace of mind when my sister visits with her dog who "wouldn't hurt a flea" is priceless.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Ours girls have a run on the side of the house that's out of sight (unless you're the neighbor!). We're planning to extend the run to take the entire side yard, which is just dead space anyway. We also plan to block off about 1/2 of the yard to make the other 2/3 a "no chicken zone". They're ruthless muggers and will gladly steal the food of anyone dining al fresco. Drainage in our area is tough, so grass is all but gone between the girls eating it, poor drainage, and us walking on it to get to the coop.

Oh well.

 

[Roosteroops]

Even if you are in the middle of suburbia, make your coop and run predator proof. I am in the center of a concrete jungle and I battle raccoons, hawks, possum and owls! We have the Fort Knox of Chicken coops now. But in the past we have lost an entire flock in one week!
Easy to clean and predator proof beats the pants off fancy! This is such a fun hobby - have a blast!!

 

[cyrixlord]

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Your property is GORGEOUS! The feathered and furred babies are real cutie-pies too.

aw thanks!

Its the place that keeps me sane from my hecktic life ! my own park!

 

[cyrixlord]

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Yup, Raise him with your chicks, let him see what you're doing in the brooder, and give the chicks a special name like 'babies' and let him understand that these are the 'babies' and if he acts bad, maybe a squirt bottle and go NO! this is the baby, you dont act like that! now LAY DOWN!'

my dogs adore and love and protect my girls and the girls love being with the dogs.

 

[cyrixlord]

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I watched the video and commented on it too! How sweet!!! Did I hear dogs too??

I have 2 german shepherds and a pit bull mix that thinks shes the chickens 'mama'

 

[vermontgal]

I had 4 pullets until last week when one died unexpectedly. Now I have 3. They are almost 9 months old.

My city ordinance would allow more, but my physical space does not allow more than 5 or maybe 6.

With 3 hens, I get plenty of eggs, now while they are young. I am TRYING TO RESIST getting 3 more chicks this spring.

I think, ideally, I would wait another year or 2 until adding to my flock. Older hens don't lay as many eggs, so having 3-4 year olds and 3-1 year olds could be better than having all older birds.

Aside from losses due to injury/disease, etc - the decrease in egg laying as birds get older is a consideration - unless you are planning to kill or give away the older hens.