Minimum number of hens?

[Cattle dog Mom]

What are they for then?

Because I want to. They can eat bugs and stuff, and just "be chickens". (Same reason I got my heritage turkeys.) Eggs are a bonus, not the whole point of getting them. (I'm not even getting highly prolific laying breeds. But there will still be WAY more eggs than I need.)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Because I want to. They can eat bugs and stuff, and just "be chickens". (Same reason I got my heritage turkeys.) Eggs are a bonus, not the whole point of getting them. (I'm not even getting highly prolific laying breeds. But there will still be WAY more than I need.)

I know the feeling. I have way more that you want, but I'm also buried in eggs

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

As far as happiness goes, I’ve found that mine seem happier with at least 6. I’ve been down to 3 and although they “did fine” I noticed them being much more lively when I added 3 point of lay pullets. Just my observation.
I will add I agree with you on reasonable numbers. I don’t want more birds than I can keep clean and uncrowded.

It's starting to look like 6 or 7 might be the number. (If I get 3 of the first breed and 2 each of the other 2. That would obviously be 7 if nothing happens to any. And realisticly, 7 chickens can't be more "work" than 8 or even 5 turkeys!) That is providing the breeder of the 3rd breed has 2. If she only ends up with 1..... LOL

 

[Duckee]

Youdont want 498567 chickens YET.........give it time.....

...chicken math!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I vote for starting with 3, I think that's the perfect jumping off point and IF something happens to one, you at least won't be stuck with a solo bird.

Even if you don't eat eggs a lot, by 2nd or 3rd year, you may find eggs to be a good excuse to add 2-3 more birds, to keep the egg train rolling.

I generally recommend that you count the people in your home, and add one more, if less than 5, two more if closer to 10. Give or take. That will give you enough eggs, for the most part.

Actual. chicken. math. If People<5, then Chooks=P+1. If P approaches 10, then C=P+2?

 

[Duckee]

I vote for starting with 3, I think that's the perfect jumping off point and IF something happens to one, you at least won't be stuck with a solo bird.

Even if you don't eat eggs a lot, by 2nd or 3rd year, you may find eggs to be a good excuse to add 2-3 more birds, to keep the egg train rolling.



Actual. chicken. math. If People<5, then Chooks=P+1. If P approaches 10, then C=P+2?

The good thing about chicken math....it can be manipulated to accommodate your needs.

So its just me & hubby and we own 16.

C=Px8
BUT all my chickens are named which makes them family pets and NOT livestock. SO
C=Px0
So technically we dont have any chickens! Which is perfect because our town doesn't allow chickens! LOL...CHICKEN MATH!

 

[aart]

Because I want to. They can eat bugs and stuff, and just "be chickens". (Same reason I got my heritage turkeys.) Eggs are a bonus, not the whole point of getting them. (I'm not even getting highly prolific laying breeds. But there will still be WAY more eggs than I need.)

Well, that's a pretty good reason, I guess.
Get all males, then you don't have to worry about eggs.

 

[Mrs. K]

all males would be cheap!

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Well, that's a pretty good reason, I guess.
Get all males, then you don't have to worry about eggs.

No, I would just have to worry about frozen combs all winter! I would rather worry about eggs!

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

all males would be cheap!

I don't care about cheap. I am NOT screwing with frostbitten combs all winter.