How many babies to end up with at least 2 hens?

[barbieszoo]

Ok, silly question probably. I am wanting to end up with 2 silkie hens. I think I've decided I want to start with baby chicks so my kids and I can hand-raise them to be extra tame. If I have extras I think I can find homes for them either by giving them to friends who have chickens, or selling them at a local auction. I am trying to minimize that though, and really can only keep 2 girls. How many babies minimum would you advise me to get in order to be almost certain to end up with two girls? ( Probabilities were never my strong suit in math!)

Thanks! Kristy

 

[hallerlake]

Supposedly, to get two girls, you'd need four straight run chicks, but it doesn't always work that way. I'd get a couple extra just in case. If you're buying sexed chicks, I'd buy three, just in case, because sexing is only 90% accurate.




Quote:

 

[silkieroo]

You can order sexed silkie chicks from www.mypetchicken.com/

 

[barbieszoo]

Thanks! Yes, I tried mypetchicken.com but they are sold out of the sexed ones for 2010 now. Only mixed color, straight-run silkies are available. I'd want all white girls, so in order to get those from there, I'll have to wait until spring. Thanks again for the tips.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you order 3 chicks, you have a 50% chance of getting at least 2 pullets.

1 out of 8 = All males
3 out of 8 = 2 males 1 female
3 out 0f 8 = 2 females 1 male
1 out of 8 = All females

If you order 4 chicks, you have almost 70% chance of getting at least 2 females. It will happen 11 out of 16 times.

1 of 16 = All males
4 of 16 = 3 males 1 female
6 of 16 = 2 males 2 females
4 of 16 = 1 male 3 females
1 of 16 = All Females

Some people will tell you that they stack roosters in the straight run orders. I have received 7 females in an order of 6 straight run. Even the packing peanut was a female. I will not tell you that all hatcheries are ethical any more than I'll tell you that all posters on this site are ethical. I will tell you I believe most hatcheries and most posters on this site are ethical. An ethical hatchery will select straight run chicks before they are sexed.

Hope this helps.