Did I get sold roosters instead of hens

[chickensanddog]

I am verry new to the chicken game and like most I started with a trip to TSC.
I left a bit later with a starter kit and a box of 6 hens. ( or so we thought) 9 weeks later I am hearing these hens learn to crow.

They all look the same but one. So I am wondering if they sold me roosters and not hens.

Any help would be great.

 

[Pyxis]

Oh my, it looks like you did get a lot of roosters Did they say pullets when you bought them or straight run?

 

[DuckGirl77]

Whoa, yeah, you got some roosters! I know the feeling. I had four roosters in my first batch of 12 sexed "pullets."

I was not happy!
The one on the left in the top photo looks like a hen, though. I can't see the other two in that picture very well, but you may have four roosters and two hens.

 

[mimsy]

If those were sold as pullets to you I'd be giving them a call. If it was straight run, well that is just bad luck.

 

[junebuggena]

You got straight run red broilers. Tractor Supply is practically notorious for selling straight run chicks, claiming they are sexed pullets. And they also sell meaties as layers, among other breed mix ups.

 

[chickensanddog]

Great :/
They were sold as pullets. The associate even said "I hear these are great for eggs."
I think this my be my only hen.

I
They have all been living a cushy life playing in alfalfa and eating organic crumble. So I'll have to find those fellas a good farm.

Thanks for the answers. I think I'll order my replacements. Any recommendations on where to order from?

 

[junebuggena]

The coop/run looks like it's a pre-fab coop. Usually those are only big enough for maybe 3 adults, so that limits your online options. Meyer and Cackle will both do small orders.

 

[chickensanddog]

Yes it is a large barn pre-fab from tsc. Had to get them in something quick because we had house renovations starting. I plan on adding on to it and sectioning off that 20'x30' area of yard for them to frolic or do whatever it is chickens enjoy doing during the day.

 

[Pyxis]

Yes it is a large barn pre-fab from tsc. Had to get them in something quick because we had house renovations starting. I plan on adding on to it and sectioning off that 20'x30' area of yard for them to frolic or do whatever it is chickens enjoy doing during the day.

If you want to keep six or more birds you're going to need more coop space too, not just more run space. You'll want 4 square feet per bird in the coop, so your minimum size coop for six birds would be four feet by six feet. I don't think there's a way you'd be able to add that kind of space onto a prefab coop, you're probably better off building something entirely new.

Ideal might be another option for you, they don't have a minimum number of birds you have to buy, you just have to buy $25 worth of birds, and their shipping is much less expensive than any other hatchery.

 

[junebuggena]

The only thing with Ideal, is that they will add in extras for warm and to fill up the box enough. And those extras are almost always males.