Minimum Number of Chicks

[Justicedog]

Hi, I was wondering what you all thought.

What is the minimum number of chicks one should raise at a time? This is assuming that there is already a small flock (4-9) that the chicks would be added to when they get older.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I would never do less than 3. Even though I've never lost a chick it's always a possibility.

 

[MountainWoman73]

Usually 3. (One dies, the others still have a buddy.)

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree 3, in case one dies.

 

[Mellowmalt]

well I would have said 4 just to ensure you get at least 1 female but that's maybe because I just had so many males on my last hatch lol. If you go with 3 the chances of getting 2 males and 1 female are just more likely than 2 females and 1 male - just because it's sod's law.
So with 3 unless they are sexed, chance of only adding 1 female after 12 weeks is high.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I would also say minimum would be 3 but I normally purchase chicks in the 4-6 range.

 

[0die]

3 is minimum....but NOT for the reasons above...

2 chickens, one will always be dominate over the other.

3 chickens, one cannot dominate two...

the more chickens the less dominate the top chicken is and the less picked on the "runt" is...you want them to be a "flock of equals" as much as possible

IMO