If one is looking for breakfast eggs (not baby chicks), is it reasonable to have a flock of 1 or 2 backyard chickens? How big a job am I signing up for with a couple of chickens? thanks, GB
I find that chickens are not that much work at all. You are going to have to build a coop, and if you can't free-range, a run as well - I would recommend going as large as you can afford. I thought I was going to have 10 birds...in fact I have 29 chickens. And even with that many, the work is really the same - you need to feed and water, and clean the coop - all the things I would have to do for fewer birds as well. I might start with 3 minimum; they really are social, flock animals and if something happens to one of a pair it would be hard to have one alone. And intros of very young birds to older can be tricky. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how easy caring for chickens is. Enjoy, and welcome!
They are not a lot of work at all. You will probably be pleasantly surprised as to how much you will enjoy them. With two laying hens you are going to only get about 12-14 eggs a week at MOST. Depending on the size of your family, you may consider getting a few more. Be Careful, chickens are very addictive!
Keep in mind most people here are probably going to encourage you to get more and more and more... Truth is, get the number that you need for the number of eggs that you are looking for. One thing to keep in mind, chickens are social animals, hence the term "flock". For that reason alone, I would probably get a minimum of 3 (instead of 1 or 2). Getting one wouldn't be appropriate because they are social. You would have a very unhappy hen on your hands, and if they are unhappy, that will likely negatively impact her egg production. Two would be fine, but I say three so if one happens to die, you still have two. The amount of work for 2 chickens is the same as the amount of work for 3, 4 or 5 (probably even more). You still need to have a coop, feed and water them, clean the coop, and collect eggs.... Good luck, and enjoy!
Chickens are great pets! Really easy to care for. My girls sleep in their coop at night and play in the run during the day- once they are grown they will get to free range when I'm home too! As long as they have food and fresh water they are very happy (plus some treats- mine love spinach, lettuce, and oatmeal) Chickens are social animals though so I would get at least two, three would be even better
Are there any plans for DIY houses/runs sized for ~4-6 chickens (leaves the option to go up from 3)? No free range chickens for me, i fear! -GB
Oh, and how noisy/smelly should I expect 3-6 chickens to be? I live in the county (no city regs), but in a neighborhood where I wouldn't want to make enemies of my neighbors -GB
Love my Critters! : Be Careful, chickens are very addictive! You got that right!! We just got a flock of 4 about a month ago and the day to day care has been very minimal so far. The most work was building the coop, and that would have been quicker and less frustrating for my husband if he had used a plan and not made up his own. They really are a lot of fun to watch out in the yard I'd get more right now if I could!
I was very pleasantly surprised at how little work they actually are (after getting them set up with a coop and run), I spend far more time watching their chicken antics than I actually do on chicken chores. I would absolutely say to go for three, though. One hen will be very unhappy and Murphy's Law will dictate that if you only get two, one will definitely die...thus you'll be dealing with trying to find an appropriate companion.
