How Many Chicks Should You Start with When Raising Backyard Chickens?

There’s so much to love about becoming a backyard chicken owner. You become more self-sufficient, you’ll be provided with fresh eggs and natural pest control, and you’ll have the joy of connecting with animals. But before any of that happens, you have some big decisions to make. Perhaps the most important question you’ll have to answer is how many chicks you want to start with. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some guidelines to help you determine the right number for your flock:

Consider Your Space

How many chickens you can keep will be at least partly decided the amount of space you have. Each chicken needs about four square feet of coop space and about 10 square feet of run space. Start by evaluating your available space to ensure your chickens will have enough room to live healthily and happily without overcrowding, which can lead to health issues and aggression.

Understand Local Regulations

Before you purchase any chicks, it’s important to understand the local regulations regarding backyard chickens. Some areas may have restrictions on the number of chickens you can keep, especially in urban areas. Others might disallow roosters, which is an especially important consideration if you’re starting with unsexed chicks.

Assess Your Egg Needs

If one of your main goals as a backyard chicken owner will be to have fresh eggs, start by considering how many eggs your household consumers. A good laying hen can produce 5 to 7 eggs per week, so three hens should guarantee you more than a dozen good eggs every week. Keep in mind that not all breeds have the same laying capacity and egg production can vary with factors like age and health.

Plan for the Future

If you’re new to chicken keeping, it might be wise to start with a smaller number of chicks. This will allow you to learn without becoming overwhelmed. You can always expand the flock later one as you become more comfortable with care routines.

Starting small, with three to five chicks, is often a manageable approach for beginners, allowing you to grow your flock over time. If you’re looking to purchase high-quality chicks to start your backyard flock, Chickens for Backyards is an excellent resource. With more than 100 breeds of baby chicks, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guineas, we can help you select the best breeds based on your specific needs and circumstances. Contact us today to get started!