What's your "Dream Flock"? How many chickens is the perfect amount for you? What breeds do you adore?

[Simimaus]

I ask this because I'm growing my flock this year, not merely recouping lost numbers. (We had an issue with predators that caused me to lose over half my flock of 11 last year.) We are in the process of building a bigger, better enclosure with a large shed-type coop that I can easily walk in and clean with a large run. That being said, I've calculated the run and coop can accommodate comfortably about 28 chickens.

Mind you, I'm not aiming for the max number as I like plenty of space and I'm sure my chickens do too. But I was thinking of adding a few more. I'm currently at 15 chickens counting the new batch of chicks that just came in from the hatchery a couple of days ago. So, as I sit here and dream about what sort of breeds I'd like to incorporate into my flock... I'd love to hear about your "dream flock."

My current flock is a mix of Dominicker (Rooster!), Cornish, Black Sexlink, and my new chicks are Easter Eggers. I'd love roughly 20 chickens. If I could find one locally I'd totally snag a Sapphire Olive Egger. I'm keeping a close eye on my local stores and breeders to see what chicks are available, so I can snag breeds on my watch list.

If you are interested in having a broody hen hatch out eggs, a Silkie hen would be a great addition to your flock. My brownie is a great broody and such an awesome amazing momma. She just Raised her first 3 babies. They are now 10 weeks old

 

[joydix]

campines, mosaics, lavender orpingtons, splash and black lorps, Barnevelders, long tailed Japanese (can't spell it, ongidori?) small Japanese bantams, Speckled sussex, Columbian rocks, Dutch bantams and beliefelders.
5 each
someone rent me out 2 acres.

beliefelders are so gorgeous and sweet. and SO big! a gorgeous sight!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Jersey Giants are so special. My first ever hen.

My 4 year old Harvey, the white jersey giant rooster is the nicest, best rooster ever! I call him Harvey the Great. He's named after the invisible white rabbit from the movie "Harvey" with Jimmy Stewart. Great protector of the hens, nice to me and very large and pretty!

 

[fowl dude]

I ask this because I'm growing my flock this year, not merely recouping lost numbers. (We had an issue with predators that caused me to lose over half my flock of 11 last year.) We are in the process of building a bigger, better enclosure with a large shed-type coop that I can easily walk in and clean with a large run. That being said, I've calculated the run and coop can accommodate comfortably about 28 chickens.

Mind you, I'm not aiming for the max number as I like plenty of space and I'm sure my chickens do too. But I was thinking of adding a few more. I'm currently at 15 chickens counting the new batch of chicks that just came in from the hatchery a couple of days ago. So, as I sit here and dream about what sort of breeds I'd like to incorporate into my flock... I'd love to hear about your "dream flock."

My current flock is a mix of Dominicker (Rooster!), Cornish, Black Sexlink, and my new chicks are Easter Eggers. I'd love roughly 20 chickens. If I could find one locally I'd totally snag a Sapphire Olive Egger. I'm keeping a close eye on my local stores and breeders to see what chicks are available, so I can snag breeds on my watch list.

I ask this because I'm growing my flock this year, not merely recouping lost numbers. (We had an issue with predators that caused me to lose over half my flock of 11 last year.) We are in the process of building a bigger, better enclosure with a large shed-type coop that I can easily walk in and clean with a large run. That being said, I've calculated the run and coop can accommodate comfortably about 28 chickens.

Mind you, I'm not aiming for the max number as I like plenty of space and I'm sure my chickens do too. But I was thinking of adding a few more. I'm currently at 15 chickens counting the new batch of chicks that just came in from the hatchery a couple of days ago. So, as I sit here and dream about what sort of breeds I'd like to incorporate into my flock... I'd love to hear about your "dream flock."

My current flock is a mix of Dominicker (Rooster!), Cornish, Black Sexlink, and my new chicks are Easter Eggers. I'd love roughly 20 chickens. If I could find one locally I'd totally snag a Sapphire Olive Egger. I'm keeping a close eye on my local stores and breeders to see what chicks are available, so I can snag breeds on my watch list.

So much of a "dream flock" depends on what you expect from your chickens. All around#1 is the Dominique, especially if you have broody hens that will raise your chicks naturally, they lay very good and forage(if allowed) for a lot of their feed. Speckled Sussex are also good, but I had bad luck and never got one to set eggs. If you want eggs, and lots of them, and aren't concerned with natural hatching, then the Rhode Island Red is absolutely what you should have. They are good natured, forage well, conservative with their feed, and healthy, robust chickens.

 

[zooinmypocket]

I have anywhere between 30-60 throughout the year, feed costs are manageable. But if I had my dream flock it would probably be about 100 chickens. I love breeding them and having separate breed lines. The breeds I would have would be:
Barred Rocks
Seramas
Silkies (color separated)
Rhode Island Reds
Buff Orpingtons
Cochins
Golden Laced Polish
Sex-Links Gold/Black
Easter Eggers
And I would love to have 10 hens and 1 rooster of each breed for breeding groups....not to mention a cabinet incubator

 

[legojenn]

My dream flock is pretty much what I have ...

I assume that this is the case. I love the birds that I have. None are true anything. I have four hybrids and three barnyard mixes. They make a great little family and they are friendly. The flock will change over time due to mortality and losing my exemption to be two over the municipal limit.

 

[Dusti Tice]

I ask this because I'm growing my flock this year, not merely recouping lost numbers. (We had an issue with predators that caused me to lose over half my flock of 11 last year.) We are in the process of building a bigger, better enclosure with a large shed-type coop that I can easily walk in and clean with a large run. That being said, I've calculated the run and coop can accommodate comfortably about 28 chickens.

Mind you, I'm not aiming for the max number as I like plenty of space and I'm sure my chickens do too. But I was thinking of adding a few more. I'm currently at 15 chickens counting the new batch of chicks that just came in from the hatchery a couple of days ago. So, as I sit here and dream about what sort of breeds I'd like to incorporate into my flock... I'd love to hear about your "dream flock."

My current flock is a mix of Dominicker (Rooster!), Cornish, Black Sexlink, and my new chicks are Easter Eggers. I'd love roughly 20 chickens. If I could find one locally I'd totally snag a Sapphire Olive Egger. I'm keeping a close eye on my local stores and breeders to see what chicks are available, so I can snag breeds on my watch list.

My “dream flock” would be around 25-30 hens with a rooster, my breeds would consist of Easter eggers, silkies, marans ,many Orpington colors, barred rocks, white leghorn, and don’t forget your friendly cochins!

 

[Lori J]

I have found that the friendliest chickens I have are the Buff Orpingtons and my Speckled Sussex, Sadie. I have 39 chickens and want 8 more blue egg layers! Talk about Chicken Math! I have two coops and two runs where they are locked in at night. They get to choose which coop and run they go to. I also have a fenced free range area about 1/2 the size of a football field for them to run around during the day. They are happy, but I want more! I have Delewares, Jersey Giants, Wyandottes, Barred Rocks, easter eggers, Leghorns, Speckled Sussex and 3 mixed breed hens from my rooster Harvey. Oh, and one Rhode Island Red. My Buff Orpington "Blondie" runs to me and wants to be held. When I sit down on my bench inside the big run to hold her, the others jump up on the bench and all around me too. I just love my chickens! I believe having lots of space for them keeps them from fighting and makes them content. Keep us posted on what you get!

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I had heard that Orpington’s were the friendliest and so I got some chicks last year. Instead of being friendly they are the first chickens that I’ve ever had that bite and attack my Small dog lol

 

[Maudie]

Well, I love breeds that are easily handled,friendly and produce lots of eggs. For us that’s the Golden Comet we’ve had Ameraucanas and Cochins (both came from breeders), but the Golden Comets are by far the friendliest and most productive.

Do they lay white or brown eggs

 

[ChickenCurt]

I ask this because I'm growing my flock this year, not merely recouping lost numbers. (We had an issue with predators that caused me to lose over half my flock of 11 last year.) We are in the process of building a bigger, better enclosure with a large shed-type coop that I can easily walk in and clean with a large run. That being said, I've calculated the run and coop can accommodate comfortably about 28 chickens.

Mind you, I'm not aiming for the max number as I like plenty of space and I'm sure my chickens do too. But I was thinking of adding a few more. I'm currently at 15 chickens counting the new batch of chicks that just came in from the hatchery a couple of days ago. So, as I sit here and dream about what sort of breeds I'd like to incorporate into my flock... I'd love to hear about your "dream flock."

My current flock is a mix of Dominicker (Rooster!), Cornish, Black Sexlink, and my new chicks are Easter Eggers. I'd love roughly 20 chickens. If I could find one locally I'd totally snag a Sapphire Olive Egger. I'm keeping a close eye on my local stores and breeders to see what chicks are available, so I can snag breeds on my watch list.

Well, my dream flock is more purposeful. I love the Rhode Island Reds. They can tend to have attitudes but they lay large eggs, our great meat birds, and they are pretty. I like to raise them from chicks with my turkey poults. The little turkeys need help and the chickens are awesome teachers even as chicks. This year I might raise a couple of geese with them as I don't have my protector geese anymore. Other favorites are the Orpington and barred rock.