It's unfortunate that such a great and informative post is turning into a debate. Speckledhen posted some outstanding advice that can be used as a good rule of thumb. Anyone can delve deeper into the specifics of chicken-keeping and flock management and definitely should, but these "ten...
Very nice Cyn! Rule #8 was especially important to me. I haven't had any birds that have been sick like that, but now I know what to do if they are.
Rule #3 made me laugh out loud.
Thanks for taking the time to post that.