Help, I have a Dilemma to discuss with y'all

[WFA]

I have been contemplating an issue that has not even happened yet. I have been researching breeds and I have been reading every post. I am interested in some of the rarer breeds. The problem comes that I have been talking with so many great people here who are offering hatching eggs but not chicks. Would you suggest hatching my own, playing the fingers crossed for a hen game or getting pullets so I know for sure I am not getting a roo. I am quite concerned with what do you do with all the Roos? I was wondering because I am wanting pure breeds if the Roos would be able to be placed easier. My concern with pullets is that you miss the first chance to foster a relationship with your kids. Am I just over thinking this?

I am sorry with the long lengthy post with tons of questions. I am excited to hear your thoughts.

- Eric

 

[Mrs. K]

If you want pullets, you need to order pullets. Hatching out eggs, is like ordering straight run chicks, often times, many posts here, people wind up with many more roos than they want. You will have roosters to do something with if you order eggs to hatch. Roosters, even very good roosters can be difficult to rehome. I am sure that you are aware that many people here do butcher them to eat, but perhaps not an option for you.

As for the bonding issue, mine whether I have bought them as eggs and hatched, just hatched chicks, 12 week chicks, or even 1 year old hens have always bonded with my feed bucket fairly quickly, and associate it with me.

MrsK

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

from Arkansas! If I were you, I would just get pullets. You can almost always find a rooster, after all, if you want one, but you cannot always get rid of one! I have adopted unsocialized chickens that are even already laying, some up to 2 years old, and they turn out to be great pets. I can even carry some of them around.

 

[CarolJ]

I got seven 17-week old pullets earlier this summer, and with some work - and the magic of meal worms - they come running when I go out in the yard. Several let me pet them now. It's a gradual thing - but it works. I can't have roosters, either, and I know I wouldn't be able to process extra roos. So I stick with only females/pullets.

 

[Judy]

IMO -- keeping chickens means having a plan for extra roos, or else buying only chickens that are old enough to be sure they are pullets. Placing a pure bred roo may or may not be easier than a hatchery roo. Breeders may well cull the vast majority of the chickens they hatch, and will not ordinarily part with their best specimens.

Obviously, sometimes you will find a "forever home" but many times you will not. I would not have chickens if I had a problem with giving a roo a good chicken-y life, until it was time for it to become food, for someone.

 

[WFA]

I am not opposed to the Roos hitting the table. I am not certain that I can process them myself yet. No pun intended but this is a what comes first the chicken or egg issue.

If I am going to process my Roos then hatching them may make sense. This is one of the main reason I do not have chickens in the backyard yet. I can not express how much I appreciate all of your advice. It makes feel good to be able to chat chicken with people that are actually interested.

 

[mrsteiner]

Just be sure to purchase pullets that are old enough to make sure they are pullets. I ordered day-old pullets from the hatchery and got 5 hens and one roo. Since I don't want any new chicks, I had to cull him. I was raising meat chickens at the time so took him to the processor's along with the meaties.

 

[rancher hicks]

On the contrary to being a pest, if that's what you meant, your showing wisdom. Planning ahead is a good thing.

Now if you can place the roosters and intend to breed more chickens then by all means hatch. You can never be sure what will be. I ordered eggs and out of six that hatched five were roos. Four went into the freezer.

Now if you can process them yourself great or if you can find someone to do it for you better still.

Now if you can't deal with a rooster then order pullets only as chicks or started birds. Expect to pay more for started birds.

I bought straight run chicks and got four pullets and one roo. I bought 15 chicks and got 3 roos and 10 pullets. Two died. I bought two chicks and got one and one. I bought two and got two roos. I bought five and got three pullets and two roos. My point is there are no hard and fast rules. It's the luck of the draw.

I wish you the best,

Rancher

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Man I love it when I see folks planning before getting their birds and this can usually only lead to complete success! Looks like hatching is in your future and you haven't lived until you have worried over an incubator for 21 days like a ....um.....Broody

Raising your own meat birds is also more rewarding than it sounds at first....

 

[Eggcessive]

I was like you last year, researching everything, reading books, and then finding BYC with all of the info available. I also went to different large hatchery websites to see what was offered, how many I could get, info on all their breeds, ect. I ended up ordering day old pullets from Meyer in Ohio, because you can order as few as 3-4 sexed chicks with a 90 % accuracy of sex. I wanted a few roos, and only got 1 extra. I have been quite pleased with my flock of different breeds. Many hatcheries offer rare breeds and shipping is not expensive as long as it's not MyPetChicken which is a middleman. Some breeds such as silkies, Polish, millie fleurs, are not available sexed, so you have to gamble. Most breeds are easily sexed, just don't buy out a bin at the feed store, because you may end up with all roos or a bunch of meaties by mistake.