As a beginner to keeping backyard chickens, I found this article extremely helpful. Reading this made me more competent in counting my flock (technically, I’ve 0 because all of my chickens have names, thus I also have room for a lot more chickens), and it also gave me the knowledge I needed to explain to my spouse why I need more chickens. The quiz at the end was super helpful and easy for me, but my spouse is still having trouble with it and needs to keep studying.
Chicken Math 101 – with Quiz!
- Author BaaKaaawk
- Publish date
- Article read time 9 min read
BaaKaaawk
"Real" Chicken Science at least...
BaaKaaawk
Excellent strategy! Hope it works on the significant other as well! :)
This is easily worth more stars than just 5. It's basically going to help me triple my flock size. 
This is so perfect! Lots of laughs! I think I only have three chickens! 
BaaKaaawk
That sounds to me like the good lord wanted you to have those. ;) Who are we mortals to deny his grace?!?!
100% true Chicken math presented 
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Very fun and informative. 
I had a blast reading your article and loved your graphics! I saw my logic in there and am therefor totally normal. Thanks. Needed some validation. The rest of the world has gone nuts and I knew it! Well done and bravo! 
BaaKaaawk
You are completely NORMAL! We're a like-minded support group for you. :)
I did't know what Chicken Math was a few months ago until i googled it 
Are you sure you’re counting your chickens correctly? There are specific rules to keep in mind while counting:
1. You do not count any eggs in the incubator because you don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
2. You don’t count chickens that were given as a gift because they were a present and are more properly considered a gift rather than a chicken.
3. You do not count any bird under 18 weeks old because they are too young to lay eggs so they are considered juveniles rather than chickens.
4. You don’t count bantams because bantams are considered bantams rather than chickens.
5. You don’t count ornamental birds because they are ornamental and are considered yard art, folk art, or fine art rather than chickens.
6. You don’t count birds beyond laying age because they’re retired and don’t lay eggs and are considered retirees rather than chickens.
7. You don’t count birds in moult because they’re are in moult and missing feathers so cannot be properly considered as complete chickens.
8. You don’t count males because they are protectors of the flock and are more accurately considered guard dogs rather than chickens.
9. You don’t count laying hens because they produce eggs and thus are more accurately described as a food source rather than chickens.
10. You don’t count sick or injured birds because they are sick or injured and their disposition is in question so they go on the injured or sick list not on your list of chickens.
11. You don’t count birds that are for sale or possibly for sale because they belong or will belong to someone else.
12. You don’t count broody hens because you can’t even get close enough to count them.
13. You don’t count freeloading chickens because they’re not producing eggs, therefore they are defective chickens.
Thus, if you follow the rules (and it is always good to follow the rules) you may only count healthy full size female chickens that are not in moult and not a gift and are of laying age but not laying.
Happy counting! We’ve officially got no chooks
Are you sure you’re counting your chickens correctly? There are specific rules to keep in mind while counting:
1. You do not count any eggs in the incubator because you don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
2. You don’t count chickens that were given as a gift because they were a present and are more properly considered a gift rather than a chicken.
3. You do not count any bird under 18 weeks old because they are too young to lay eggs so they are considered juveniles rather than chickens.
4. You don’t count bantams because bantams are considered bantams rather than chickens.
5. You don’t count ornamental birds because they are ornamental and are considered yard art, folk art, or fine art rather than chickens.
6. You don’t count birds beyond laying age because they’re retired and don’t lay eggs and are considered retirees rather than chickens.
7. You don’t count birds in moult because they’re are in moult and missing feathers so cannot be properly considered as complete chickens.
8. You don’t count males because they are protectors of the flock and are more accurately considered guard dogs rather than chickens.
9. You don’t count laying hens because they produce eggs and thus are more accurately described as a food source rather than chickens.
10. You don’t count sick or injured birds because they are sick or injured and their disposition is in question so they go on the injured or sick list not on your list of chickens.
11. You don’t count birds that are for sale or possibly for sale because they belong or will belong to someone else.
12. You don’t count broody hens because you can’t even get close enough to count them.
13. You don’t count freeloading chickens because they’re not producing eggs, therefore they are defective chickens.
Thus, if you follow the rules (and it is always good to follow the rules) you may only count healthy full size female chickens that are not in moult and not a gift and are of laying age but not laying.
Happy counting! We’ve officially got no chooks
