How many chickens?

Question

My friend and I have decided to raise chickens this summer. I have a small coop that, I think, can fit
8-10 chickens. We've never had chickens before and don't know what would be a good number to start out with. We want a flock that would be small enough to where it is easy to handle and take care of. Should we go with 6 chickens for the first year, or fit as many as possible into the coop? Thank you!

Answer 1

chickens are pretty easy to maintain, but starting out with a half a dozen is a great idea. we started out with three to get the hang of a routine, hens only. then we got a rooster and took some time getting used to him. the next season we got more to make it an even ten, hens and roosters. our coop is about 4ft by about 11 ft. and they are all quite comfortable, as long as they have their perches at night. they are such great company! every day i water and feed them, give them yesterdays scraps, and pick up their hay a little. they always spill their water so i need to buy a waterer that i can hang from the beam, and they kick hay into their food so i have to clean it out every day. there are tricks of the trade you will learn. if you buy chickens from mcmurray hatchery, buy a few of the exotic checkens known as americanas, otherwise known as easter chickens. they lay colored eggs! and they are just as simple to care for as any other hen!

Answer 2

Before you and your friend decide how many chickens to raise I suggest you check out a few more things. Your questions does not tell us much about where you live and the other conditions surrounding the proposed coop.

I don't want to put the damper on the apparent entrepreneurial spirit here, but in the end, for how much do you expect to sell these chickens? If you could raise 10 chickens and sell them for $10.00, that's $100.00 for the summer - less the cost of of buying baby chicks and feed. Its up to you, do the math and decide if that's what you want.

Another important thing to work on is local by-laws and such governing the raising of livestock. The same bylaws most likely indicate the amount of space required for each chicken, the disposal of waste from the coop. Some jurisdictions may require that you have a business license.

Who is going to do all the work. Each day someone has to clean out the coop and feed the flock.

I think that you should be trying for more than 8-10 chickens.

Talk to someone who raises chickens. They can save you a lot of time and money in this venture.
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Good Lick

Answer 3

chickens are pretty easy to maintain, but starting out with a half a dozen is a great idea. we started out with three to get the hang of a routine, hens only. then we got a rooster and took some time getting used to him. the next season we got more to make it an even ten, hens and roosters. our coop is about 4ft by about 11 ft. and they are all quite comfortable, as long as they have their perches at night. they are such great company! every day i water and feed them, give them yesterdays scraps, and pick up their hay a little. they always spill their water so i need to buy a waterer that i can hang from the beam, and they kick hay into their food so i have to clean it out every day. there are tricks of the trade you will learn. if you buy chickens from mcmurray hatchery, buy a few of the exotic checkens known as americanas, otherwise known as easter chickens. they lay colored eggs! and they are just as simple to care for as any other hen!

Answer 4

Are you getting chicks? or hens and roosters?
If you are getting hens and roosters to have chicks then you can go with a couple of hens and 1 rooster. You should have chicks in no time. Now if you are getting chicks, then you can get 8-10. Remember that they will grow fast and they will need space to walk around.

Answer 5

3 square feet of space per bird. Six would be great number to start with. BACKYARDCHICKEN site would be great for all your questions.Watch out these chickens are addicting to have.
Lisa

Answer 6

Six first.