Managing numbers in your flock

[bhawk-23]

So after having to assist hatch eggs on Sunday I got to looking at all the chicks around. Mostly because I have to care for this batch which was really not the plan. I love hatching chicks, but under broodies! It brings me great joy and happiness to watch mama hen with the little chicks

So now, in total, I have 7 hens, 9 5-6 weeks old and 10 newly hatched chicks. Orpy is raising her 6 perfectly. Pink is still learning with her 4 but seems to be getting it and the last 3 (1 bantam) have their own space to sleep still but are integrated. That leaves me with 6 bantams in the brooder.

Any roosters will be in freezer camp but what about the hens? I hatched some really neat breeds that I would like to keep if they are pullets! But I also need to keep a max on the number of hens for fear of bullying. I've learned over the last year that for me my top priority is the health of my hens, both physical and emotional being important. My #2 is no bullying, it really stresses me out even though its minimal and usually involving treats. At #3 would be personality with humans, my son loves to hold them! And #4 is a variety in looks and eggs. Does this seem reasonable?

So my question is, how do you casual backyard flock hobbyists' decide these things?

Do any of you keep bantams and full sized and consider these as 2 separate flocks?

Does anyone else rotate out healthy flock members for newer breeds you want to try? I love my chickens, all of them! But this is becoming a super fun hobby for me and no longer for the eggs (though hubs disagrees).

Basically, I've come to realize there are so many breeds out there I would like to meet! Has this happened to anyone else? Or am I just selfish and cruel, give it to me straight.

I am really interested in hearing other's experiences and evolutions in their flocks.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I keep bantams and standards mixed and have had mixed results

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm breeding my own mutts, from hatchery birds, with an eye towards an eventual goal (not a breed, technically, I'm building something closer to a landrace) - so my goals will necessarily, differ from yours, and my management likewise. Though there is a little overlap.

I started with a handful of common breeds and hybrids and landraces - SLW, Dark Brahma, "Rainbows", Golden Comets, CornishX - as I get examples of the genetics I want out of the parent stock, and they grow in age, the older girls get culled out. The roosters get culled out at a younger, tastier age - so like you, I'm making room for new birds with new variations.

I have interest in egg production - no banties for me - but eggs aren't the be all and end all, I want some meat too, since I incubate my own, its nice to have a rooster a week for meat, to join the old hen a week for stock, stew, or sausage. Having no banties (ever), I can't opine on the value of maintaining multiple flocks - I do keep Pekin ducks in the same flock as my chickens, in spite of size disparities - but they have differing needs and voluntarily sleep differently, so they largely self segregate. Nor do I have any shortage of space - abundance being a social lubricant and all.

Accordingly, if you give them a good life and a clean, swift end, I would say no - neither heartless or cruel. and to the extent others might differ (and about whose opinion I care not one wit), you are invited to hold me up as an example of someone more heartless than yourself. I'd be happy to take the burden of their umbrage off your shoulders, and deposit it in the compost pile, where it properly belongs.

 

[bhawk-23]

I keep bantams and standards mixed and have had mixed results

I plan to free range together but offer a separate sleeping space inside the run for the Silkies. I hear they pile on the floor? lol My son really wanted the Silkies, I figure its a good age (10 yrs) to start taking more responsibility.

I also hatched a Serama but will be picking up another since the other egg didn't make it through the hatch

Are you a breeder or hobbyist?

 

[bhawk-23]

@U_Stormcrow

Well, I do have homes for the unwanted pullets so just eating cockerels here. LOL

But yes, I agree, we do overlap in ideas, just different end games. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I'm quite new to chicken keeping, got my first 3(all different breeds) last September. I've been hooked since, but my husband helps me maintain control Got my next 3 in March(another orp, and 2 different breeds) I absolutely love a colorful egg basket. I'd love to hatch chicks but only with a broody, I have no interest in incubating and all that business. Would absolutely kill extra cocks if the situation presented itself. But I don't think I could get rid of any of my ladies just to get new breeds. If you've got the space get after it! I know after my land home deal closes I've got expansion plans, lol

 

[bhawk-23]

I'm quite new to chicken keeping, got my first 3(all different breeds) last September. I've been hooked since, but my husband helps me maintain control Got my next 3 in March(another orp, and 2 different breeds) I absolutely love a colorful egg basket. I'd love to hatch chicks but only with a broody, I have no interest in incubating and all that business. Would absolutely kill extra cocks if the situation presented itself. But I don't think I could get rid of any of my ladies just to get new breeds. If you've got the space get after it! I know after my land home deal closes I've got expansion plans, lol

I definitely have my favorite girls who will always stay! But there are some that are just hard to attach to for us. They won't really come to us or seem to enjoy our company like other hens do. Those are the ones we would send to a friend's farm.

Good luck on the land aquire going quick! How exciting to be able to make plans for expanding!!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I definitely have my favorite girls who will always stay! But there are some that are just hard to attach to for us. They won't really come to us or seem to enjoy our company like other hens do. Those are the ones we would send to a friend's farm.

Good luck on the land aquire going quick! How exciting to be able to make plans for expanding!!

Well if you've got some stuck up snobs send them on their way, lol. My light brahma was getting a little crazy awhile back and causing a ruckus. I was going to get rid of her because I don't want any drama in my flock, but once I figured out what was going on(with some help) I waited to see if she chilled out, which she did. And thank you very much, I can't wait!

 

[aart]

I hatch each year for replacement layers(young birds that will lay over the following winter).
All extra males are slaughtered for the freezer, and some older hens to get the numbers down to a healthy winter population.
Coop size is my limiter, I do not have or want more coops.
I have sold some younger hens too. This year I may sell a couple pullets.

 

[bhawk-23]

I hatch each year for replacement layers(young birds that will lay over the following winter).
All extra males are slaughtered for the freezer, and some older hens to get the numbers down to a healthy winter population.
Coop size is my limiter, I do not have or want more coops.
I have sold some younger hens too. This year I may sell a couple pullets.

Your routine sounds like a good one to me. I could definitely experiment with breeds while also replacing layers. That's a great compromise! Now, if I could only learn to *sell* my young nearing POL pullets instead of giving them away for free