We started with 6. Lost 1. Went to replace that 1 and brought home 3 and a duckling. Then got the first incubator and eggs from a local. That resulted in another 15. Lost 2. Gave 2 to my cousin. Then got another 48 eggs. That resulted in 40 more. Then added 13 ducklings. Then added 4 light brahmas. Then bought more bators from an estate sale. Four nice sportsman cabinets and a hatcher. Then filled those with eggs. I have 60 Buff Orpingtons from a nice show line free ranging on a 1/2 acre with electric fencing. Have another 24 Rhode Island Reds free ranging in another area. And then the family flock with another 60-80 birds on another part of the property. And now I have all the bators filled with more buff orpington, lavender orpington, rhode island red, speckled sussex, BLRW, Welsummer, runner duck and call duck eggs.
All this from someone that didn't even own a chicken until March 31st!
And this weekend I'm picking up Black Copper Maran, Pumpkin Hulsey, Deleware, Silver Laced Polish and Buff Cochin eggs to fill up the bators again!
I'm really pushing to see how many chickens, ducks, geese and peafowl I can get to fill my 42 acres.