need advice on number of chickens for my space

[ONSTAD1]

Ok. This is embarrasing...

Chicken math before I even get chickens.

Here's my thought. Ive been wavering between 4 or 5 chickens. Been leaning toward 4...until tonight. Haveing second thoughts now... I hate to get 4 tomorrow and then in 6 months decide I want a fifth and have to integrate a chick into an established flock (not to mention I don't have the space to raise hens AND achick).

So I guess it boils down to space. I'm just on the cusp of ha ing room for five. I have 16 ftsq of coop space and 48ftsq of run. I plan to "free range" them in the yard for a few hours each evening. If they would be happy in this enviorment I'd prefer to go with 5.

I invite all to chime in as I figure the more opinions the better.

And oh yeah...I have till 2:00 pm tomorrow to decide : )

and no, I haven't been drinking!


Mo

 

[greenckick]

Get the 5. Not to be a downer but chances are you will lose one or two before a year is up so might as well start strong.

We started with 5 in Feb and are down to 3 and are adding 6 next weekend. That is chicken math!!!!!

We keep the chickens in a "play pen" with the coop enclosed while we are at work and they are allowed to free range when are home. Owl got one in the evening before they went to the coop. Lost the second one recently as the fox finally found a way in. He was seen sitting outside the play pen for months and couldn't get in but he found a hole (now reinforced) and took off with a girl. You have to understand chickens are the bottom of the food chain so you will have losses.

 

[ONSTAD1]

Well, I posted this on 4 threads and the answers were across the board. Pretty much a 50/50 split between 4 or 5 chicks. Thanks for all your input. Think I'm just going to drive up to Loveland and see how the mood takes me...guessing with 16 little chicks peeping at me and crawling in my hand, 5 get a new home... but who knows. The universe will provide ; )

mo

 

[Suzierd]

I would get six.

 

[crazyhen]

Its according to the type of chicks. Large fowl 4 bantams 6 or 7. Gloria Jean

 

[DDRanch]

Well, you may have already made your decision.....but I vote for 4. I think one of the most common problems that never ends well for the chickens is overcrowding. I know this is hard cuz we all want more.....but less is better in my opinion.

 

[ONSTAD1]

here are the 4 chicks I decided to get.

 

[GatorInBama]

Boy, my math (and eyes) must really be bad...but I see more than 4.

 

[dancingflower68]

hehe I see 5 too!! How'd that happen??

Anyway, I was going to say..I have the exact same dimensions as you..16 sq ft in coop/ 48 sq ft in run, and I have 3 LF pullets. When they first started hanging out in their run, it looked gigantic...I kept thinking, oh..I should have got more!! But now they have doubled in size and they are only 10 weeks old..they still have lots of growing to do! They look comfy with their space, and I'm glad I restrained myself. I actually started with 4 but lost one 2 weeks ago

Your chicks are very cute BTW!!

 

[SouthernChicka8]

lovely choices!