my DH made a BIG mistake

[chickie fam]

The other day my DH and I were talking about the new hens we got when he made the mistake of saying that I could have as many chickens as I want. We're on 11 acres so space isn't an issue but now me trying to pick out breeds and how many of them, is. Should I let my addiction take over and go chicken crazy with buying or should I limit myself? What would all of you do??

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Start small, with plans to expand as necessary. That way, you don't get overwhelmed while you're trying to decide what your goals are and if you want to focus on a specific breed.

 

[nivtup]

Anything over 200 moves you out of the starting small class.

 

[Cetawin]

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Excellent advice..trust me they increase in number quick enough...this coming from soeone who was going to have 6 hens....yeah uh huh I started with 6, then 5 more, then 22 more, then 11 ducks etc etc etc

 

[A.T. Hagan]

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Definitely start small. There's more to keeping large numbers of birds than you might think. Chief among them is the ever increasing price of feed!

 

[chickie fam]

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I guess I'll definitly be starting small! I only have 6 now but 3 of them are roos so they don't count and we'll also be eating some chickens as they come in (my DH says thats flock management)

 

[DuckLady]

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Plus if you start small and add a couple new ones here and there, he won't notice so much.

 

[sfw2]

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Plus if you start small and add a couple new ones here and there, he won't notice so much.

Terrie! As a moderator, I thought you were supposed to set a good example for the rest of us mere mortals!

 

[gmendoza]

Go chicken madness.I would with that many acres.Then get ducks,geese,swans,guineas,phesants,peafowl,emus,and ostriches. MHWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!

 

[wegotchickens]

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I guess I'll definitly be starting small! I only have 6 now but 3 of them are roos so they don't count and we'll also be eating some chickens as they come in (my DH says thats flock management)

Also, by starting small you can make sure you like their housing and that everyone is safe. And that the normal cleaning and feeding chores fit into your schedule. Getting overwhelmed early on could sour you on your chicken experience.