newbie numbers question--overshoot?

[midwife mama]

I am allowed only to have 6 chickens per city ordinance. I came home today with 7 hoping that if they all make it, and are all in fact pullets, that no one will notice given my yard is fairly private. Now after reading on here about all baby chicks not making it, other issues requiring separation, and the chance of roos, I'm wondering is it might be best to overstock now and pick up another chick or two rather than having to add to my little flock down the line. What would you do? Thanks!

 

[kichohana]

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have "overstock". If they "thin out" by natural selection, or you have too many roos, etc. you can always get them re-homed through Craigslist. IMHO, I think it would be easier/less work to re-home extra chickens than to start with new babies and hope for their survival, growth and introduction to an already established flock.

 

[MN Chicken]

We had originally decided on 3. We now have 7 for the reasons you stated. I know at least 2 of my chicks are roos...I just know it.

 

[midwife mama]

Thanks! How do you *know* you have some roos? ??

 

[underground chickenman]

If you have a feed store nearby that will buy chickens, order 25 chicks and sell them to the feed store as they get bigger and you start selecting your picks. My first order was 25, I gave 10 away to a friend after about 8 weeks, sold six to the feed store at around 10 weeks, and kept the remaining eight. My feed store will buy anything. They won't give you much, but it's a good way to get enough chicks to end up with the hens you want.

UGCM

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I always get more chicks than I need, in case any die or turn out to be roosters. I've never had a chick die or had one turn out to be a rooster.

I think it must be my Irish luck, again.

Since you bought your chicks locally, your risk of losing any is much lower. You have already bought the survivors of the shipment. The biggest losses are from a late shipment and/or extreme weather. I'm guessing you also picked strong, healthy chicks, not some that looked too weak to stand up. So, you should do pretty well. Just give them the basic good care that they need.

Craigslist is an easy way to sell extra chickens. These days, a lot more people are looking for just a few chickens. You can also post in the Buy~Sell~Auction section of this forum.

 

[MN Chicken]

Quote:
Their characteristics say roo...very slow feathering, my BR has a lot of white on its head, they are HUGE and mildly aggressive with the chasing, their feet and legs are thick and large...