starting with only 2 chicks, is that a bad idea?

[chickencrazyinHT]

I would order at least 4 or 5. Shipping is stressful and with baby chicks needing to be warm (95 deg.) They huddle together to keep warm. I think your chances would be better for happier healthier chicks if you order at least that many! Good luck!

 

[HHandbasket]

I don't really think it matters how many you start with because a year from now, you'll have 15 or 20 anyway.

 

[babyelle]

thank you for that feedback. i will order more than 2 because we know we want the flock to grow in time our coop is 4 x 6 and our run is 75 liner feet. that should be enough space i am guessing. we are thinking about sharing the space with dwarf nigerian goats...anyone have experience with sharing space?

 

[jessieandjustin]

No experience on sharing a run with goats, but you'll have to find out about any communicable diseases among the two. My dogs and hens get along just fine, and no chance of one catching anything from the other. We also have had turkeys, but have had to keep them separate from our chickens because of diseases they can share. I think finding out about space and diseases would be the best place to start because they will probably not socialize much and be a bother to the other.

 

[justmeandtheflock]

Quote:

I'm glad you decided to get a few more. You wouldn't want to end up with a lonley chick if you lost one of them

I think the problem with goats and chickens together is that the goats can get very sick from eating the chicken feed. I've bee researching it myself. Good luck with your new babies!

 

[alcap]

We started with 2 but then we learned chicken math. 2 =10 at least.

 

[kittycooks]

I read that chickens can count to four. My first flock only had four and when I took one hen out of the coop to play or visit school the other hens were very distressed. My current flock has eight chickens. When I take one or two out now the rest of the flock doesn't even notice.

 

[write2caroline]

You just never know what is going to happen. I started with 3 and my dog got to two of them but one survived only I lost her later the next spring when she was egg bound. I was only going to have a few chickens - 5 tops - uhm they are like potato chips and now I have 34.
Caroline

 

[pixiedouglas]

Quote:
My neighbor had a divided pen. One half for chickens, one half for her goat. She moved the goat out and let the chickens into the side where the goat was, but didn't remove the hay until a day or so later. Half her flock got sick, one died, and she's got one she's still nursing. Obviously we don't know for sure, but she thinks they got sick from something in the goats hay.

Definately get more than two. Get five. I've got a friend who wanted to start with six. She ended up with only 2 because four were roosters! We started with 8 and lost one, now we've got 9. From what I read I think you should always figure on 1-2 losses and 1 rooster.

 

[babyelle]

is it true that if you order online you must order a minimum of 30? my feed store doesn't order bantams so i have to order them online. we are willing to get up to 6 but 30 is nuts. back to the goat and chicken in the same enclosure....aside from feedback here i am not able to find much info.