Chicken math

[Ol Grey Mare]

Soooo just wondering for those that have hatched eggs, about what percentage should I expect to be roos? I don't mind if we hatch roos, we just can't keep them so they would become dinner eventually.

Oh my gosh, knowing that the feed store just 10 minutes away from me has cute little fluffy chicks is making me crazy. I want to run over there and pick some out. I really want at least another easter egger though and maybe a silver laced wyandotte or 2 and those are not breeds they have right now though! :/

A nice base average to use would be 50/50 -- there are those broods that hatch almost all male or predominantly female, but 50/50 is a good safe base number to expect. It always seems to be the opposite of whatever one is wanting - if, say, you really want a cockerel from a particular pairing you will get "stuck" with all pullets (we should all be so unfortunate, right, lol)

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Soooo just wondering for those that have hatched eggs, about what percentage should I expect to be roos? I don't mind if we hatch roos, we just can't keep them so they would become dinner eventually.

Oh my gosh, knowing that the feed store just 10 minutes away from me has cute little fluffy chicks is making me crazy. I want to run over there and pick some out. I really want at least another easter egger though and maybe a silver laced wyandotte or 2 and those are not breeds they have right now though! :/

You should always expect 50/50, now that doesn't mean that you won't end up with ALL roos. Mother Nature does what she wants!!! If you plan to hatch eggs you need to have a plan for your roosters. They will go from cute lovable fluffballs to raging hormones in just a few short weeks.

 

[CrazyTalk]

You should always expect 50/50, now that doesn't mean that you won't end up with ALL roos. Mother Nature does what she wants!!! If you plan to hatch eggs you need to have a plan for your roosters. They will go from cute lovable fluffballs to raging hormones in just a few short weeks.

Yup. My last batch of straight run chicks ended up 12 cockerels to 4 pullets. Fun fun fun.

 

[Renee572]

We have 1 EE right now. She was trouble from the beginning, she has such a fun personality, we love her light green eggs and we love having her. I have seen pics of SLW and just love their looks although I don't know much about their personality.

If I hatched a dozen eggs and got even half to hatch (ive never hatched before so im sure i will make many mistakes) and all 6 were roos then can they all be cooped together until we either process them or sell them or do they need to be separated?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

We have 1 EE right now. She was trouble from the beginning, she has such a fun personality, we love her light green eggs and we love having her. I have seen pics of SLW and just love their looks although I don't know much about their personality.

If I hatched a dozen eggs and got even half to hatch (ive never hatched before so im sure i will make many mistakes) and all 6 were roos then can they all be cooped together until we either process them or sell them or do they need to be separated?

There are LOTS of threads here on hatching! The first hatch is trial and error, and the second, then the third time something new happens LOL, always a learning process!

You can toatlly keep roos happy in a batcholor pen. As long as they don't have access to females they will be fine. So many people get to many roos and think that they can 'rehome' them, some can but it you have several finding homes for them can be daunting. You should also look up info on, rasing, and processing. The meat won't be the same as what you get from the grocery store, but so yummy!

 

[Renee572]

Thanks Tara bella. I have a friend that will cull any roos for us so I'm not worried about having roos I'd have to rehome. does that mean I should separate them from the hens as soon as I determine they are indeed roos?

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thanks Tara bella. I have a friend that will cull any roos for us so I'm not worried about having roos I'd have to rehome. does that mean I should separate them from the hens as soon as I determine they are indeed roos?

Most cockerels find their 'rooness' around 4 months (some sooner) so you will have time.