Chicken math is a lighthearted term used by backyard chicken keepers to describe the phenomenon where your flock size grows larger than originally planned It refers to the tricky calculations and creative counting that chicken keepers use to justify expanding their flock,
How Chicken Math Works
Chicken math happens when the number of chickens you end up with is greater than the number you planned for or stated out loud. For example:
- You tell your spouse you’ll start with just 6 chickens for eggs, but soon have 14.
- You say you’ll only keep chickens, but add ducks, quail and rabbits too.
- You get a few chicks each spring, and after a few years have over 50 chickens.
There are a few key factors that lead to chicken math
- Chickens are relatively easy pets that don’t take up much space. It’s tempting to add “just a few more.”
- Hatching chicks or getting broody hens expands your flock naturally.
- Chicken keepers fall in love with different breeds and want more variety.
- Chicks are inexpensive and irresistibly cute. It’s hard to resist buying just one or two more.
- Chicken keeping becomes an addictive hobby. Many get “chicken fever” and want their flock to keep growing.
So while the math may sound logical at first (like 6 chickens + 5 chicks = 11 chickens) chicken keepers stretch those numbers creatively over time.
The “Rules” of Chicken Math
Chicken keepers have come up with tongue-in-cheek “rules” to make the math work out in their favor. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Chicks don’t count until they’re grown.
- Hatching eggs aren’t included in the total.
- Roosters only count as “1” no matter how many are in the flock.
- Bantams only count as 1/2 or 1/3 of a regular chicken.
- Non-laying hens don’t count.
- Other species like ducks, geese, and guinea fowl have separate math.
- Any chicken with a name is a “pet” and doesn’t count.
So a flock of 20 could quickly be calculated down to just 6-8 “real” chickens using this creative math.
Real-Life Examples of Chicken Math
Here are some first-hand examples of chicken math at work from real backyard chicken keepers:
- “I started with 5 chickens and now have 35 after 3 years. I just got a few chicks each year!”
- “I told my husband we’d have 12 chickens. Now we have 32, plus 2 goats and a potbellied pig.”
- “I planned on 6 hens for eggs but now have over 50 because I add new breeds every year.”
- “I said no more than 12 chicks this spring. But Meyer Hatchery had a sale…so I bought 35.”
As you can see, those initial small flock sizes ballooned rapidly thanks to classic chicken math justification and reasoning.
Signs Your Chicken Math is Growing
Here are some common signs that your chicken math is increasing and your flock is expanding past its original size:
- You’ve expanded your coop or run multiple times.
- You keep more chicken feed stocked than you planned.
- Neighbors comment on how many chickens you have.
- You don’t know exact counts and estimate your flock size.
- You research and add new chicken breeds each year.
- Your family jokes about how many chickens you have.
If any of those sound familiar, your chicken math is likely in full swing!
Is Chicken Math a Real Problem?
Chicken math is not an actual mathematical problem, but rather a funny term used by chicken keepers to explain flock growth. However, it can become a real issue if your flock outgrows your coop space, budget for feed and supplies, or time for care.
It’s smart to do some self-reflection if your chicken math has your flock size outpacing your available resources. If you’re unable to properly house, feed, and care for your chickens, it may be time to rehome some or stop expanding.
Embracing the Chicken Math Lifestyle
For many backyard chicken keepers though, chicken math is just part of the fun. As an enjoyable hobby, they happily embrace the flock growth, coop expansions, and ever-increasing feed bills that come with it.
Chicken math lets keepers enjoy the excitement of new chicks every year, the rewards of hatching eggs, and the endless variety of chicken breeds to try. Rather than fighting chicken math, they welcome each new addition and the adventures they bring.
So don’t be afraid to have some fun with chicken math! Just be sure your math doesn’t outpace your ability to properly care for your feathered friends. Apply the “rules” lightly, watch your flock numbers creep up, and relish the unique charm of chicken math along the way.
Chicken benefits (besides eggs)
The usual backyard chicken flock provides a few obvious benefits, the main two being eggs and meat. Many chicken keepers also enjoy the companionship and entertainment that their chickens offer. However, that’s not all there is to chickens – not by a long shot!
My main chicken coop is an Eglu Cube with wheels, so I move it around my yard to keep my coop cleaning duties minimal. However, I make sure to save any droppings from the enclosed portion to use for compost. Chicken droppings make a fantastic garden fertilizer, and even if you don’t plan to use them yourself, I promise that a local gardener will be thrilled to take any extras off your hands. Plus, with mobile chicken coops like the Eglu Cube, any manure that you don’t collect will fertilize your lawn. Your grass will grow back greener and fuller than it was before in places where your chickens have been!
Another lesser-known benefit to owning chickens is reducing your food waste. I care deeply about our planet, but even I end up with food that spoils on the counter or in the fridge from time to time. When that happens, my chickens happily break it down for me. Not only does it stay out of a landfill this way, but it adds variety to their diets and gives them enrichment, too.
Finally, chickens provide important pest and weed control to your backyard, especially if you allow them to free range. While a flock of chickens can’t mow your lawn on its own like a goat or cow might, most chickens will happily eat any critters they find in it, including ticks, grubs, earthworms, crickets, and sometimes even mice or snakes!
Chicken Math Explained – Chicken Math For Dummies
FAQ
How to explain chicken math?
So what is meant by chicken math and how did this term become a common term within the chicken-keeping world? In its simplest terms, chicken math is the addition to your flock in quantities and maybe even other species that are beyond what you originally planned.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.
What is the chicken math urban dictionary?
Chicken Math- Urban Dictionary.
This specific type of poultry math means that a keeper of chickens will perpetually add to the flock and always end up with more chickens than expected, even when taking into account Chicken math..
What is chicken strategy?
Chicken is the situation where two cars are driving at one another with great enough speed such that braking is not a viable option, the only options are to either swerve off, or keep driving straight. If one person swerves and the other does not, then the one who swerves is the proverbial “chicken”.