How Many Backyard Chickens Should You Start With? (And Why Fewer Is Better)
Wondering how many backyard chickens to start with? Learn how to decide the flock size that’s best for you and why fewer chickens make homesteading easier.
When it comes to keeping backyard chickens, one of the most common beginner questions is “how many chickens should I start with?” While this answer will be different for everyone, starting with a manageable flock size is the key to success.
It can be hard to resist the temptation to “just get a few more” – especially when they’re cute fluffy chicks. But fewer chickens is often better for the backyard chicken keeper just starting out.
Starting small can save you money (both in initial costs and keeping costs), time and effort. You’ll have a healthier flock and – if you let your chickens free range – a healthier yard, too.
The Short Answer for How Many Backyard Chickens to Get
How many backyard chickens should you start with? If you’re looking for a quick answer, the ideal starter range for backyard chickens is usually 3 to 6 hens. This flock size is ideal for backyard beginners because you can keep the coop small and your feed costs low; the hens have some companionship but they’ll also having plenty of space to roam.
That said, everyone’s ideal number will be different, based on your specific situation and needs. Let’s go over more considerations below.
What Most Beginners Think They Need
Although it can be tempting to base your flock size on how many eggs you want to collect each day, it’s not as straightforward as that. While fresh eggs cannot be beat, there are several factors that should go into your decision on flock size.
It’s a bit of a homestead fantasy to have a bunch of chickens roaming around in the yard. And yes – it is quite the tranquil scene to watch the chickens roam and peck in the grass. However, it’s easy to overestimate your time, space and energy. A larger flock means more time and energy spent on daily care, plus increased space needs and feed costs.
Factors That Should Decide Your Number
Available space
Perhaps one of the biggest factors in how many chickens you should get is how much space you have. The more room your chickens have, the healthier and more content they will be. If you plan on your chickens being outside most of the time, coming in only at night to roost, then they will do fine with less space. If you plan on your chickens being somewhat confined, they will be happier with more space. As a general rule, aim for a minimum of 3-4 square feet of coop space per bird.
Local laws or HOA rules
If you live in a neighborhood, be sure to check any HOA or CC&R documents for rules pertaining to livestock and chickens, specifically. Many neighborhoods prohibit roosters, which won’t be a problem for your laying flock. But it may also specify how many hens you can keep.
Climate and seasonal challenges
Consider weather and any seasonal challenges you face in your region. If you live in an extremely hot climate, you’ll want to make sure you provide plenty of space, airflow and shade for your flock, so fewer chickens may be better. If you live in a cold or wet climate, consider how you’ll protect your flock from snow, wind and rain. Chickens don’t like to come out in rain or snow, so climate may impact your chickens’ indoor space needs as well.
Experience level
Starting out with less chickens is better for beginners, simply because there are fewer chickens to take care of. If you’ve had chickens before, then you know what to expect when it comes to cleaning and everyday care.
Time for daily care
Chickens are one of the easiest homestead animals to care for, but they still require daily feeding, watering, cleaning and egg collecting. While these tasks only take a few minutes each day, more chickens will require more time involved.
Why Fewer Backyard Chickens Is Better at First
Starting with fewer backyard chickens is better, at least at first, for 5 simple reasons:
- Easier learning curve
- Lower startup costs
- Easier to spot health issues
- Less feed waste and mess
- Less chance of burnout
Don’t start out overestimating your time or overcommitting yourself. And this can apply to everything the homestead. Start small until you get the hang of it, then scale up if you wish.
Common “Too Many Chickens” Problems
Even though some of us don’t want to admit it (speaking for myself here), there are some common problems associated with keeping too many chickens – especially on a backyard scale.
Egg overload. It may seem like a nice problem to have when you’ve been deprived of fresh eggs, but egg overload is real. When young pullets are churning out eggs, it may seem that despite how many quiches, cakes, scrambles and egg salads you make, you still can’t keep up!
Bullying and pecking order stress. Too many chickens in too small of an area will almost always cause bullying problems. Chickens are naturally quick to pick each other apart – even more so when they’re bored and cramped for space.
Higher feed costs than expected. Laying hens can eat quite a bit, especially in the height of their production. It is estimated that each lightweight pullet will eat about 15 pounds of feed before she starts laying at around 20 weeks, and heavyweight breeds can eat even more. Make sure your expectations are accurate when it comes to feed costs, so you can factor that in to your flock size decision right from the start.
Cleaning becoming overwhelming. To keep your flock healthy, cleanliness is essential. Chickens aren’t exactly known for being the most tidy creatures, but it can quickly get overwhelming when you have too many chickens.
Grass and yard damage. Chickens can be devastating on lawns and grass, especially when there are too many chickens for the area. Fewer chickens do less damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some quick answers for the most commonly asked questions when it comes to getting chickens.
Can I start with just two chickens?
Yes! Two chickens will do just fine, and is actually ideal for very small setups. They will have some companionship but won’t be too tight on space. Plus, egg production is very manageable with two chickens, even if you’re single or have a small family.
Should I start with chicks or pullets?
It’s up to you and what you feel comfortable with. I wouldn’t recommend buying chickens on Marketplace or Craiglist if your main goal is egg production, as many of the chickens on these sites are past their prime for production laying.
You can order pullets online from reputable hatcheries. This is great for someone who wants to bypass those early weeks of heat lamps and chick starter. Plus, you’ll get eggs much sooner. However, pullets cost significantly more than chicks, which is probably why chicks are the more popular choice.
Chicks are available in spring at most feed stores and farm supply stores. You can also order chicks from several different hatcheries online. You’ll have to wait until they mature (about 20-24 weeks) to start collecting eggs, but raising chicks can be a fun backyard project.
What if I want eggs year-round?
Many breeds will lay egg year-round, at least for their first year. After that, egg production gradually declines. If you want consistently high-production layers, you may want to look into a replacement pullet system, where you replace your chickens with young hens every year or two.
Do I need a rooster?
Chickens will lay eggs regardless if there is a rooster present or not. If you want fertilized eggs, however, you will need a rooster.
Start Small, Grow Smart
Starting small is not failing – it’s just the start of all your homestead chicken dreams! When you start with just a few chickens, you can learn your rhythm first before jumping all in. Keep it simple, keep it enjoyable.
Looking to get your first chicks? Check out our post Spring Chick Checklist: From Brooder to Coop. It’s everything you need to know about raising spring chicks, all in one simple guide.
