Sageandonion Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Had originally thought we'd get 3 chickens but number 1 son is now saying he'd like rabbits again. (We have a hoooge empty hutch since the last of our buns died in May.) Anyways so now I'm thinking may be we should get 2 bunnies and 2 chickens. We already have a dog and a hamster and I'm thinking about our bank balance when we go away - the pets holidays would end up costing more than ours at this rate!! So just wondering what people's thoughts and experience are on having 2 chickens only - I thought I'd read somewhere that 2 is not ideal as a pecking order can't be established so easily and that there might be fisticuffs at dawn as it were. Have I got this totally wrong, is it ok to have 2 or are we better off having 3? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISCA Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Lots of people have 2 chickens with no problems. The trouble is if one dies (as they do) then a solo chicken gets very lonely as they are sociable birds, so getting 3+ resolves this problem when it arises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 Think ISCA has said it all. I'd get 3 so if one went then you'd not be left with a solitary hen. It is not easy introducing new hens to one hen but people on here have done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 I'd say 3, the extra one wont make any extra work for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 I have two...and to be honest, even if you have three there's nothing to stop two hens dying and leaving one. If it happens, then I'll just have to get her some company as soon as possible! I am glad I only started with two! That said, two hens do look rather lonely... If it wasn't such a risk to introduce one new hen to two established girls, I would've done it already!! To be perfectly honest, I would get the hens first and worry about rabbits later. Hens can be very demaning ladies and they are hours of fun...those poor bunnies might get forgotten about when the feathery clowns are strutting their stuff (if they end up even half as mad as my two!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thalia Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 My two are perfectly happy together and haven't so much as said a cross word to one another since thay settled in. However, I do sort of wish I'd got three together as another one wouldn't have been any extra work and the eggs disappear very quickly. They're just great fun as well and surprisingly huggable once they get to know you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 I would go with 3 Just like ISCA said if you get 2 and one dies you will only be left with one ... And i am sure you would much prefare to get 3 than 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 Hi, We originally had 2 which was lovely in terms of poo & damage to the garden etc. They were quiet & peaceful & totally joined at the hip. However the inevitable happened & Penny died and Boris was vey lonely. We quickly aquired Fav & Pom our araucana & faverolle. They were much younger than Boris and we were lucky in so far as intros were easy BUT it took her a long time to look on them as her friends. For a long time they were just there - & Boris was still a bit lonely We now have pekins too and what is interesting is they go around in a pair, Fav & Pom are a pair & Boris still after all this time seems to miss Penny. I've reached the conclusion that hens which arrive together stay together. Whatever you decide you are bound to enjoy them.Axx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 Thanks for all your replies, we're still undecided. I'm inclined to think the neighbours might be more accepting of 2 than 3 or more. Did anyone on here ask their neighbours views before getting their chooks? Popped round to see a school mum's chickens. She has two from Omlet in a classic eglu - one of each type that Omlet offers. They were so cute, following each other around the garden and looked like best pals. I was struck by how friendly they were and how healthy looking - gorgeous gals . Can't wait to get ours . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 If you get two you will wish you got 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 I started with 3...got another two, one of my original girls passed away...got another two, then another two...now we have 12...of course I am not suggesting you get 12 I would go with 3 personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss_spent Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 We have 2 - a Miss Pepperpot and a Gingernut Ranger (one of each that Omlet offer). I partly wish I had got 3, but our 2 are totally happy together just the 2 of them, and it means I feel a lot less guilty about any time I can't let them out to FR and they are in the run. We have never had any fights, Cilla was Top Chicken from the outset and Audrey totally accepts that. Their personalities are so great and they provide so much entertainment, as people have already said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael_farnsworth Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I've got two and they seem very happy together, although I sometimes wish I'd got another one as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertrum Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I follow the argument that getting three means if one dies you still have two and are not left with a lonely hen, but, you still end up with two! So what then? Do you introduce one more to two established hens to get back to three, or wait until another dies and introduce two back in again? Seems to me that getting 3 just delays rather than prevents the problem of introductions and bereaved hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertrum Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 We've got two - and it was more a space issue really. I understand completely the logic about having 3, but knew that ours would be in their run all day while we were at work and didn't think we would have room for the run extension that was advised if you want 3 chooks. We have now got the extension - OH fell in love with the feathered fiends, and they managed to wrap him around their claws and persuade him to give up some more grass to them! But don't want to add one more chook now - that sounds tricky to say the least. We plan to get 2 more when the inevitable happens and we lose one - but not thinking of that yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I'd say 3 , i have 7 now and def think they keep to their groups, 1 original (of 3) 3 bought the yr after and 3 more the yr after that. All of these tend to stick together with Ebony left on her own mostly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippy chick Posted June 25, 2010 Share Posted June 25, 2010 I'd get as many as you have room for. That way you will will have an abundant supply of eggs to keep the neighbours happy. The more the merrier!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
