New to chickens? how many are you starting with?

[omelet du fromage]

I started with a TSC six-pack.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
It's exactly why I DON'T put a lid/cover on my brooders. My only bathroom is the Nursery, and I'm tolerant of messes. Easy to clean up in there. I love opening the door to discover Betsy the Barred Rock chick sitting quite calmly on the toilet seat, and Rhoda the RIR chick on the counter, investigating the sink faucets. Plus, both Welsummer chicks Laverne & Shirley perched on the side of the brooder, considering forays away from Home Base.

 

[NewChkMom]

I got 15 chicks on 3-8-10, then last night my hubby brought me 4 8mo laying hens (2 EEs, 1 RIR, 1 Red Star). I am soooooo excited. They are delightful. Can't wait for the little girls to go out though.

 

[Mervin]

When I first decided I was going to jump into this chicken thing I really wanted Welsummers. I didn't know of a local source and wasn't thrilled about getting them from a hatchery. So, I talked myself down from the ledge and decided to start with a small, mixed, utility flock, say something on the order of 8 hens. I called the feed store and ordered two EEs, two BRs, two RIRs and two BOs (all pullets). Worst case, I could pick up a spare rooster on Craigslist (CL) if I felt I really needed one later on. Done, right?

The very next day I see an ad on Craigslist for a local breeder with Welsummers, Marans, Langshans and a few others. I fought really hard to resist the urge to order a dozen or so Wellies and a dozen Langshans. My wife thought the Wellies were very pretty and encouraged me to get them. So over the next week or so I should be the proud new papa of 6 SR wellies, 2 RIR pullets, 2 BR pullets and 2 EE pullets. Thankfully, the BOs are going to go with someone else. So, I guess I'm starting with 12. That is way more than my family and I need and more than I really wanted to start with, but what the heck. I just hope I don't do like some other folks here and have 4 or 5 dozen by next spring.

...I've already been thinking that putting a Welsummer over a BR (Welbar) would be cool. I'm going to need a bigger place.

 

[enggass]

Newbie here:
3 RIR
3 Barred Rocks

 

[trunkman]

When I first posted this question I was thinking maybe it's just me, I started with 6 hens, 3 roos, Then went to tsc and bought 7 knowing I had 10 on the way! Yeah, I'm addicted!! Lets see 9 original, ordered 10, bought 7, thats 26, I call it Chick fever. Had to get rid of the roos tho, they were hurting the hens. My neighbors are gonna hate me!!

From all the responses I don't feel so bad, some of you have gotten the fever much worse than me, hope you have neighbors as good as mine

 

[ChickGirl6]

This is my first year having chicks and I ordered 25! I still want more chicks! and I might be getting 6 2 year old cochins. I lost one of my chicks the 3rd night so I'm down to 24, I so want more chicks.

 

[Amanda0609]

I started 2 weeks with 6 RIR's and added 3 BR's last weekend. I would love to have more, alot more but live in the city and I am already pushing my luck with 9

 

[egg mama]

Just starting out.

8X20 Coop floor was poured today & walls will be up soon.

We have 3 chicks now with 28 more ordered from MPC(12) & Nature's Hatchery(16)...EDD of May 10th.

 

[trunkman]

Egg Mama, I think you're planning on lots more or prepairing to get hooked big time, good planning!