Numbers question

[abs45]

I live in a location that allows chickens in the "city limits". I have had chickens in the past, but these will be pet/occasional egg kids. I only want 2, and this time around I want to get silkies.

I have found a farm with the colors I was looking for, so I'm just waiting for notification of when they are hatched. So, my main question, are there any special considerations I need to be aware of when getting such a small number? I want to make sure they have everything they need to be healthy and happy.

Any thoughts are welcome!

 

[boskelli1571]

Welcome!

2 is a good number I think. Since chickens are social creatures they need to have a buddy to hang around with - other than you! Enjoy your birds and beware of 'chicken math'....

 

[abs45]

Yeah, I can sense that may be an issue.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
Make sure you post pics of the girls when you get them!

 

[dekel18042]

Welcome!

2 is a good number I think. Since chickens are social creatures they need to have a buddy to hang around with - other than you! Enjoy your birds and beware of 'chicken math'....

May I suggest 3? Chickens are flock birds and if you should get two and something happens to one you have a singleton. With three if you lose one you still have two.

 

[abs45]

I'll consider it. Also, I adore all of my pets, and if any of them turn out or be boys, I ma be in trouble due to my location.

Any suggestions on re-homing boys, or does anyone have experience with/ knowledge of the "no crow collar"?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Unless you are getting one of the breed types that's easy to sex at hatching, or getting older (adolescent) chicks, you will have cockerels! Maybe many cockerels. Get at least as many as you can have where you live and have space to raise, and talk to the seller about returning any cockerels that appear. Otherwise, sell them or give them away. Some hatcheries have very good 'chick sexers' and can provide only pullets (usually) but straight run as hatched is not the same thing at all. Mary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I always suggest at least three birds. Things happen, you lose birds - it's part of the deal - so having three prevents you ending up with just one lone bird should something happen to another. Yes, something could happen to more than one at any given time, but having a "spare" helps to stack the deck in your favor. Also, if you are not getting sexed birds you have the potential of ending up with one, or more, "oops" males - which, again, can lead to ending up with a lone bird if you have to rehome the accidental male.

 

[donrae]

If you're getting silkie chicks from a breeder, they're not going to be sexed. Chances are very good you're going to get some males.

Your options are....find older birds, old enough they can be sexed accurately.

Purchase at least twice as many birds as you want to keep. Raise them up yourself and pick your keepers when they're able to be sexed, and sell the rest.

Go with a different breed, like sex links, so you can be assured of pullets from the start.

I agree 3 is probably better than 2, just for that "in case" thing.

 

[drumstick diva]

Three chicks is better - always good to have a spare