New to chickens? how many are you starting with?

[thefishery]

Am I the only chicken that started out with only 2?

I got a hen and a rooster, about a year old, from the old man down the road. I've had them for 2 years now. The hen has hatched 7 babies, who were killed by my chicken/dog murdering neighbor.

We decided to grow by two more so we got two Buff Orpingtons and one was killed by a dog.

That left us with the two original mutt chickens and one Orpington.

We just picked up 6 baby chicks from TSC. Wanting to take it show. We are a busy family at times with kids, sports and life. I wanted to make sure I had the time to mess with them like I wanted to before we jumped into a bunch at once. I'm glad we waited it out. I've learned so much.

Great news though, someone my husband works with was given 8 laying hens by the Amish. He doesn't want them...something about he doesn't have time after collecting his alpaca's poop...so he is giving them to us

We get them tonight after my husband gets home from work. I can't wait. I don't know what kind they are and the anticipation is killing me!!!

 

[thefishery]

Am I the only chicken that started out with only 2?

I got a hen and a rooster, about a year old, from the old man down the road. I've had them for 2 years now. The hen has hatched 7 babies, who were killed by my chicken/dog murdering neighbor.

We decided to grow by two more so we got two Buff Orpingtons and one was killed by a dog.

That left us with the two original mutt chickens and one Orpington.

We just picked up 6 baby chicks from TSC. Wanting to take it show. We are a busy family at times with kids, sports and life. I wanted to make sure I had the time to mess with them like I wanted to before we jumped into a bunch at once. I'm glad we waited it out. I've learned so much.

Great news though, someone my husband works with was given 8 laying hens by the Amish. He doesn't want them...something about he doesn't have time after collecting his alpaca's poop...so he is giving them to us

We get them tonight after my husband gets home from work. I can't wait. I don't know what kind they are and the anticipation is killing me!!!

 

[frisbie84]

I'm new to the chick world as well! I get my first batch tomorrow from our local Farm and Fleet. 25 is the magic number -10 Araucana, 10 Buff Orps, 5 Barred Rocks. I'm a little nervous

We've got the brooder all set up in the downstairs bathroom. We are working on our own McMansion at the moment. Is there anything that I should be prepared for? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[mistyfeather]

i first batch was 14.........2 days later added 4 more and a week later added 2 ducks !

i think i may be an addict

dont want to go back to the feed store for feed , im afraid ill come home with more chicks!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
*Sigh* Prepare to fall in the with the little buggers!!

Missi

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Yep it is!!

Welcome to it!!

Missi

 

[smallcitychick]

I'm getting my first chicks next month. I started out thinking I would get just 3 or 4. Then decided on 5, then ordered 11 from My Pet Chicken

AND I'm still planning getting a buff orp, easter egger, and maybe an australorp from the local feed store. I can only have 12 chickens total, since I live in a town. I ordered more than I needed from MPC so I could have a better survival rate (hopefully) and my parents that live on a farm about an hour away, and who are also getting chickens this year agreed to take my extras.

I know for sure that I'm keeping a white cochin (the type of chicken DS requested), an easter egger (they type DD requested), GLW, SLW, and a light brown leghorn....so at least 5 to start with, and maybe 7

 

[chkinut]

Quote:
welcome to the world of underground chicken owners!

i've LOVED chickens all my life.....so i just couldn't take it anymore! i gotta get em'! i've got my own little mini-homestead out back. i've got my garden, and chicken coop all fenced in to keep the dogs out....then my chicken coop has a run as well. THEN.....since i like my girls to free range and they can't

.....they ALSO have a portable dog kennel run that i'm gonna move all over the yard. i'm so excited!

oh, and we have a privacy fence too.....i've heard from other illegals to do the following:
hide the coop somehow
get rid of loud hens
no roosters
let your nearest neighbors know (ask them if they would mind)

and hopefully you can keep them without problems....good luck!

What do ya know!

I have a privacy fence
am hiding my coop in the backyard
Loud hens will go in the freezer or be sold
and same with roosters
plus already asked closest neighbors and two don't mind and one sorta does but I'll bribe them all with eggs

Do you think because of this that I should get eight and pick the quietest six of the eight and sell the other two I've been debating it...

well, that's what i heard...from another illegal chicken owner. get MORE than what you want...that way, you can pick out the loud ones and give them away (or whatever). i only wanted 2 or 3 hens but now i've decided to get 5 (hubby is KINDA havin' a stroke but he understands the principle involved here)......so that way if any loud ones are about, i can give them away to an aquaintence of mine. Good luck!!! that's great that you have a privacy fence! i'm sure i'll make a few egg runs to my neighbors too!

 

[trunkman]

soon most of you will be doing like me and start planning a second coop!! Thank god my wife is excepting all this!

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
I'm not starting a second coop but I'm about to add 16' x 21' (or bigger if I can talk hubby into it!!) run on to mine with a 8' x 8' "nursery/kiddie section" That way once their old enough I can put them outside in the coop with the big girls but not WITH the big girls!! They don't have a closed coop so I don't really have a limitation on the space!

Missi