I started with 4 adult chickens.
1 Leghorn hen, 1 White Rock hen, 1 Buff Orpington pullet, and a White Rock rooster.
then I bought a barnyard mix mama hen and her 7 fully feathered chicks...Then we got a silkie rooster because a lady in town couldn't have roosters so we took him in too. 2 chicks had to be culled, and the rest are doing great...
So now I have 10 chickens. 3 hens that lay, 4 pullets getting ready to lay, and 3 roosters...Lol. They're all doing great, and as far as I can tell they are all basically the same in their care and what not...They all get along with each other, and enjoy pecking through the yard. I am ordering 24 more layers in spring, as well as 10 more silkies, and 6 Salmon Faverolles that will each have their own coop. I am hoping to hatch out their chicks to sell next spring. We just have to get building. You always want the space to be larger than you need it. It keeps the chickens happier, healthier, and less likely to pick on each other. Our coop is 18x20 ft...so it's really big, but bigger is better than smaller to say the least, and for ease of care and maintenance. All I have to do is give the chickens water everyday when it is cold..we have any auto waterer but it can't really do a whole lot when the water is freezing over night...so I just give them a dish of water each morning. We have a feeder, but I think I have a new idea that works even better for the days that the chickens can go outside and free range the property. I just toss some of their pellets out on the ground a few times a day. They come to the house and the big roo relentlessly hassles me for treats but they can't have treats constantly, so I started just giving them their food in the yard when the roo comes calling. It is snowing today so the chickens are being fed in the coop since I know they won't be wandering about looking for snacks...Anyway chickens are easy, but they are prone to a lot of problems...there are all manner of diseases and predators and parasites that affect chickens, so you have to realize the reality of the situation, but other than dealing with death as a part of life, chickens are super easy.
