Odd or even number of chickens

Bobkat · **Posted:** Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:18 pm

We are planning to get three chickens - but my Mum (who has had plenty over the years) has a theory that we are better to get four. Then the two lowest in the pecking order can buddy up. She thinks if we only got three, the top chook and her 2-i-c might bully the third. We don't need that many eggs (though friends and neighbours will help out, I am sure!). Is she right? Or is it entirely down to the luck of the personalities of the chickens we get?

Bobkat

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:14 pm

Our elderly neighbour who has had as many chooks, as, as many children has over the years once advised my mum to have an even number of chooks and children or vice versa; ie 2-4 chooks, to, 2-4 children; ,or conversely 2-4 children to 2-4 chooks; there was something about the middle chook or middle child that was something unjust or unfair about it :shock:

Were you first hatched, middle hatched or last hatched...

I think it all comes down to the pecking order in your family ,or, your feathered family and your own personal eggsperience or what you have observed with your chookies...

BigFishLittleFish · **Posted:** Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:12 pm

I have a odd number. 5 isa browns. they don't ever seam to buddy up. They all argue and peck each other when bickering. Also they all are friendly and hang as a group of 5 when they are free ranging and just hanging out.

[smilie=a_cookiemonster.gif]

FowlMan · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:49 am

Odd or even makes no difference but the more chooks the happier they are being a flock fowl

GINNYT · **Joined:** Fri Jun 22, 2012 12:42 pm **Posts:** 1

I have 8 and that seem to be true for a lucky number they all give me eggs and never been sick

samanthahobbs · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:11 pm

I started out with four chickies. I did notice the two bigger ones ganged up on the two smaller ones. When one of my smaller girls died the smaller one left behind was on her own and got nailed.
I had all sorts of behavioural issues and was at my wits end.

Someone told me once that if you have a current flock, and want to introduce more, to always introduce two at a time so if there are issues the new ones have a buddy to rely on and help look after each other. Also they said introduce them after dark when current flock are in bed asleep. Apparently they are more likely to accept them waking up with them in the morning. I don't know if this is accurate or not?!?! I never put to the test. Someone more experienced may be able to shed some light.

I kind of like the idea of even numbers!! No science behind my thoughts, just personal preference.

I just lost my girls to a fox. Please make sure you have good housing. What I have experienced is horrific.

Bobkat · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:25 pm

Thanks, everyone. Sam, I can only imagine how distressing it must be to have lost them this way. I am so sorry!!

We hope we are taking no chances - we have buried wire right under the floor and entirely encasing it in the snake/vermin proof strong wire. I will let them free range in the back garden most days. Although it is all fenced, and we are in a Sydney suburb, I am still wary so plan to only let them out for 2-3 hours a day when I am out there. I hope you feel up to starting with new chickens soon, once it isn't so traumatising for you.

All the best, Bobkat.

samanthahobbs · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:02 pm

Thanks BobKat,

Everyone on this forum has been so understanding and supportive.
I think eventually I will have chickies again. It might take me a while to get over this. I plan to overhaul my chicken yard - I have approx 100 square metres for them to free range - and build a new coupe for bed time.
I will need to start fresh. At the moment I cannot bare even going down there.

What breed of chickes are you looking at getting?
I plan to research breeds for next time. See my other post;

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20163

Bobkat · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2012 11:25 am

Thanks, Sam - and for your link to other topic on which breed to select. Like you, I want longer-lived ones with modest egg production. I am tempted by Australorps but a bit unsure about their possible tendency to broodiness. I'm also wary about researching and selecting a breed which is hard to find locally. Round here (Sydney), it seems there are Australorp crosses fairly widely advertised. Crossed with New Hampshire ("Black cross") and with Rhode Island Red ("Red Cross"). I'm not sure if these would be a better bet for me. Maybe some in the forum have experinece with these and might comment.

Good luck with your construction!
Bobkat

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:17 pm

Here is a breed profile on Australorps

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18473

If you want a regular supply of eggs for 12 months, then go for the commercial hybrid layers, Isa Browns, Rhode Island Reds, Australorp, New Hamphshire and Leghorn crosses. But because they are specially bred to lay a maximum amount of eggs in their first season, approximately 320 eggs in that first year, you may encounter health problems with them after that initial first season. They are not bred to for a long life, 12 months of egg laying on a poultry farm then off to retirement where ever that may be, then new season layers take over and so forth. You can rescue and rehome end of season, poultry farm layers, end of season for about $3.

I would personally go for a pure and or rare breed for longevity, you can get some good pure bred egg layers, you just need to research which breed takes your fancy. It's up to you and what your main purpose of having a few chooks in your backyard is. Keep in mind that some hybrids even go broody, there are no guarantees that they don't.

Good luck.

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