Staggering purchase of chicks.

[kathlynr8]

I am planning to purchase chickens for the first time and want to understand how best to extend my egg production. They will be pet chickens as I know I will be attached to them. But also want at least 1-2 eggs a day - but understand that the egg production slows as they age. I was originally going to buy 4 chickens to start. As I know they like to flock.

But does it make more sense to get only two at first? And wait two years to another two and then two years later another two? Then I'd be up to 6 in 6 years ... And the first ones would be getting less productive.. I am considering one each of - Marans, Buff Orphington, Barnvelder, and a Easter Egger or Americuna.

We also will have runner ducks - I was going to wait on the ducks - for the second year - as I don't want to do too much at a time.. but the egg laying issue presents a new consideration..

so maybe the first year I get two chickens and two runner ducks and they house together? (or bad idea) - and add more chickens the following year? Thoughts?

 

[AltonaAcres]

I would say that the 2 chicks per year idea is a GREAT idea! Then, you would always have some chickens laying. Yes, getting ducklings and chicks would be a good idea. I don't think that's too many at once. I'll have 20-30 chicks a year, and I love on them all, they all get names, and it's not hard to maintain that many either.

 

[kathlynr8]

ok - the ship catalogue - does a min. of three. so I might be back to my original plan of 4 chickens and wait on the ducks. From another post I was reading - seems like others struggle with this as well.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's not a bad idea, though I'd start with 3 in the first year, just in case something happens to one, so you're not left with a single chicken and having to try and find a friend in a hurry.

My plan is to stagger every other year or so, adding maybe 2 to 4 each time depending on how the hens are producing and if I've had any losses.

I don't have ducks so can't weigh in on that, I do know their housing and of course water requirements are different, so depending on what your planned set up look like it may or may not work out.

 

[aart]

If you really want steady eggs, get production breeds.
Are you planning for eggs in winter too?
Then get new chicks every year.
Plan your coop with space to integrate new birds.
Even with new layers every year, and supplemental winter lighting,
there will be 'times with no eggs'.

 

[50-45-1]

If i were you i would start with 4. Just in case you loose some. I would stick to production breeds like Isa browns. They are friendly and lay nice big eggs. I just adopted 6 isa brown from a lady who gets rid of all her 3 year olds each year and conciders them spent or done laying. Well, since the day i got them last fall i have gotten 4 huge eggs from these 6 hens every day thru this dead cold winter. My americana lays about 2 a week thru the winter.
How many chickens are you equiped to house? If you have pets that you intend to keep even if they stop laying what then.
I let my broodies raise a few chicks each year as replacements as i free range and inevitably loose 3 or 4 each year.
If you can purchase your chicks locally at a feed store instead of the mail i would sugest it as the mail process can be chancy.
Good luck!

 

[kathlynr8]

Thinking to start with 4. That was my original plan! Seems it was solid from everyones comments..

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Four seems to be an ideal number to start. I tried to purchase only 4 last year to start off with, however the farm store I went to had a 6 chick limit. So I ended up with 5 pullets and a cockerel. Next week I'm picking up 4 BR's. The farm supply store near me only has a 4 chick limit. That's a bit better. I plan on adding on next year as well. Can't beat fresh home grown eggs. Even though the seller "guarantees" their sex you won't really know for sure until they are a few months old. Good luck and enjoy your new chicken adventure.