You aren't worthy

[bill_schubert]

I stopped by one of the local Tractor Supply places in our area. They had a decent chicken coop that would work. More money than I wanted to spend and there are tons of choices online. But when I went inside the story was really strange. For reasons I can't fathom and don't care about enough to ask assuming I could have found someone who might have a decent answer, they limited the purchase of chicks to four. Not the MAXIMUM purchase, the MINIMUM purchase. You had to buy four chicks or you couldn't have any.

Sorry, but you have to buy three cars at this location.

Sorry, but you have to buy two houses.

What the actual fuck?

I didn't even want to discuss it. On the way out I asked a somewhat clueless cashier if all the chicks (they have more coming tomorrow) were a minimum of four, clearly indicating I thought the minimum was strange. Her response, "No, some of them are minimum of six". I left.

Clearly a seller's market. And I'm not going to play.

I've got a friend that has chickens. I may ask him about it. Maybe he gets chicks too.

The whole thing lost its luster a bit.

Might change.

Meanwhile, back at the Ranch:




Tigger and Bear take turns attacking me.


And:



Khaleesi is feeling much better. She has lost weight that she can't afford but is apparently eating well so hopefully it will come back.

Comments

[solteronita]

It's because chicks die frequently, and they need a flock to be happy. I once wanted to add a couple ducklings to my flock, and I already had a couple that my ducks hatched, and none of the feed stores would sell me just two, even when I told them I had more at home. *shrug*

[bill_schubert]

I guess that is right. We had three chickens and they were as content as they could be. It might have made an interesting discussion if they were to have brought it up.

[bill_schubert]

From AI:

While technically you can keep a "flock" of just two chickens, most experts recommend having at least three chickens because chickens are social creatures and can become stressed or lonely if only kept with one other bird; if one gets sick or injured, the other will be completely alone, so a larger flock provides better social support. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key points about keeping a small chicken flock: [1, 2, 5]

• Social needs: Chickens thrive in groups and establish a pecking order, which can be difficult to manage with only two birds. [1, 2, 5]
• Stress and loneliness: If one chicken gets sick or injured, the other could become lonely without another companion. [1, 3, 4]
• Minimum flock size: Many chicken care guides recommend a minimum of three chickens for a healthy flock. [1, 2, 3]


Generative AI is experimental.

[1] https://www.petmd.com/bird/general-health/backyard-chickens[2] https://www.quora.com/I-love-chickens-Will-2-or-3-hens-be-happy-together-as-a-mini-flock[3] https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-you-keep-only-2-chicken-or-introduce-1-new-one-to-the-flock.1404458/[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/BackYardChickens/comments/17coaj0/can_you_just_have_2/[5] https://www.bhwt.org.uk/merging-your-flocks/