Newbie- A Couple Questions!

[Robbinita]

Hi there!

I am getting ready to start a small flock of chicks. I am going to put my order in for some peeps and they should be delivered early March. Meanwhile, I will steadily prepare for their arrival.

I wanted to ask a couple of questions, though-

We have are a family of four- and I can't wait to show my 7yr old and 4yr old how to raise some chickens for eggs. I had originally planned on getting 6 chicks, but am now thinking we might be overwhelmed with that many. How many is too many for a small backyard flock? I'd like to have enough eggs for our family (we bake a lot) and maybe a few to give away to neighbors. Is 6 too many? I was thinking 4 might not be enough. Is 5 a good number? I want to get plenty of eggs, but don't want to be overwhelmed, as I will soon be going back to school.
I planned on getting a couple Red Stars and perhaps an Easter Egger or two.

Thanks for any advice!!

Robbin

 

[FortWorthChicks]

I think six is a great number to start with. My EE's are pretty good at giving me one egg a day. And they are pretty! Six is no more trouble to take care of as five. May as well get six.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'd do 6. I bake a lot too and 6 was a good number to start with. In the summer you'll get 5-6 eggs a day, then in winter they slow down and you'll get 1-3 a day. (I have 2 girls molting right now, so they are not laying) Definitely get the EE, my kids LOVE the colored eggs. And my EE is my best winter layer.

Make your coop bigger than you think you'll want, because you WILL want more chickens.

 

[Morgaine]

I'd go with 6 too. Just in case you loose a few or something. And if you do start to get over run with egg, they make great gifts or you could donate to a local food bank.

 

[ranchhand]

6 sounds great! You will love having the freshest eggs ever and your kids will learn all kinds of useful things. Both Red Stars and EEs are good layers, and all my EE hens have been very good natured.

But, I just have to ask - have you verified that you can legally have 6 chickens where you live? And don't forget that there is about a 10% chance of getting a rooster.

So many times I've seen people get chickens and then find out they're not allowed by local government or HOAs.

Sorry to be a bit of a wet blanket!

Good luck and Happy Chickeneering!

 

[catdaddy66]

I agree...6 sounds very do-able, and should be no more difficult than 2 or 4. Good luck and I hope the kids love them (remember to wash hands each time the birds are handled, and NO kissing or nuzzling)

 

[Robbinita]

Thanks for the response everyone! Yes, I have done the research on the bylaws and I am even attending a backyard poultry workshop next weekend to learn more. I officially ordered 3 red stars and 3 Easter Eggers. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time! Looking forward to reading more on the boards here!!

Robbin

 

[little_grey_bantam]

Quote:
ONLY 6?
LOL, I'd just right in and get 12-24 like I did

You may think 6 is too many, but when ya get 'em... you'll REGRET it! It's NOT enough!!!! LOL

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
WOW!! A backyard poultry workshop! Dang, what I wouldn't do to be able to go to one of those around here! (Yes, BYC is wonderful, but a WORKSHOP on backyard poultry would be something not to miss!

Your six are a good number to start. I'm up to 9, and when I discovered I could actually go up to 13 (I could go to TWENTY-FIVE if my landlady didn't have 3 sheep on this acre where we live!!!) I started quivering and drooling over the idea that the feed store will start chick season on the 11th of this month.

Unfortunately, none of the feed stores around here carry Welsummer, Buckeye or Speckled Sussex, which are the breeds I am now interested in adding to my flock. Guess I'll have to make a MyPetChicken order.

Actually, I need to restrain myself; I have some PURE Amereucana chicks to look forward to in April.....

 

[NarleevilleClucks]

I started with 5, one for each family member...then lost Re-re-Rita to a mystery illness. We've had the 4 hens since a little after Easter and have gotten an egg a day about every day from them. They are 1 RIR, 1 red sexlink, 1 black sexlink and 1 barred rock hen. All has been well with the chicken world...but I wish I'd gotten more! I too was scarred of being overwhelmed, but they are really easy to care for! I went to school full time online, worked 30 hours a week, have three activity ridden children, gardens to tend and a demanding dog to walk and still have plenty of time to care for the chix. You'll do great with six!