Hatching female chicks?

[Bean15]

Is there any way to hatch a high percentage of female chicks? I've heard that temperature can affect them. Any tips? We'd like to add more hens to the flock.

 

[sourland]

Lots of theories, but if it could be done hatcheries would be the first in line to do so. Temperature variations apparently can impact the gender ratio of some reptiles.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Lots of theories, but if it could be done hatcheries would be the first in line to do so. Temperature variations apparently can impact the gender ratio of some reptiles.

Yeah, if turtle eggs are kept at a certain temperature than all will be female, but if you turn up the temp just a few degrees than all will be male. But I don't think chicken eggs work like that. Like sourland said, if it was true than all the hatcheries would be doing it. I guess we'll all have to be content with fifty-fifty.

 

[MGG]

Just buy some pullets if you're looking for female chicks, it is the most reliable you will get. I have experimented with it and i have never had any luck. I tried a few batches, one at 98, one at 99, and one at 100. I had pretty much a 50/50 ratio every time. Some people luck out and get mostly females, some get mostly males, and some get a good mixture. It's just how lucky you are I think, there isn't any way to determine the gender IMO. I would just get sexed chicks, it's easier, and you can order pretty much and breed you want.

 

[Gray Farms]

Buy/order some Sexlink pullets. That's the only way to ensure you don't get cockerels.

 

[Bean15]

I just thought I should mention, I am not new to BYC, just lost my old account.

Thanks guys! My only problem with getting sexed chicks has been getting 2 or more accidental males out of the females I ordered. I have incubated ducklings before, and I have always gotten 50/50 male to female ratio. It's weird how that works. I still want to try and incubate chicks, so we'll just pray for the best.

 

[MGG]

Good luck! Just find someone to take extra cockerels, or send them to freezer camp in a few months