Number of chicks to get started

[holly84]

I've decided to purchase some baby chicks to raise for eggs in my backyard. There is a minimum of 6 if you plan to purchase from my local farm store. I'm not sure I want to start with more than I can handle since I am new to this. What can you recommend for a beginner as far as purchasing a number of chicks? Thanks.

 

[mylilchix]

I think as long as you have at least 2 any number is ok. I started with 27. It depends on what your needs are and where you live. In the country you can easily have a bunch of chickens where as in the city there be ordinances as to how many you can have. We're up to 45 now, so once you start it becomes a chick-diction and you want to have more!! Good luck and enjoy your new adventure!

Sonja

 

[Mahonri]

6 is a good number.

I started with 19... but I planned on it from the beginning.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

You can start with 6 but you might soon find out that 6 isn't nearly enough to support the chick addiction that will follow

 

[chicksgalore]

It really depends on your space and how many eggs you want on a daily basis. When we started, we intended on getting 4, got 4 thrown in and 4 ended up being roosters.

We're now up to 65.

 

[mylilchix]

Love how that works, you start with a certain number in mind and then wonder why you ended up with a zillion more!

Sonja

 

[Chicken Fruit]

2 chickens or 25 chickens.. its all pretty much the same- the only thing that changes it the amount of poop and feed.

6 is a good number.

 

[gkeesling]

Whether you start out with 2 or 10 I would suggest you make your coop larger than what you are going to need starting out. I will almost guarantee, unless you live in city limits with rules, that you will want to add to your flock. I built a coop that will hold 20. I started out with 12, now I have 19, and I just got my first chicks on Nov. 4. Gosh, they sure multiply quickly.

 

[chicky gal1]

we started with 2 and now we have 12 and 20 on the way in the mail. My son sells the eggs and wanted to get more to support his business. From 5 layers, we get about 2 1/2 dozen each week. Hope this helps. Keep in mind, you will want more later.. I wish I got them all at once cuz it's hard to intruduce two flocks. We have 4 different coops set up right now to keep each flock seperate so they don't fight.

 

[holly84]

Thanks ya'll. I bought six. After reading your posts, I may go back and get some more on Monday. I love this website.