How many chicks do I order?

[davidr]

I'm going to order my chicks from Ideal. From thier assorted standard pullets. Delivery will be late Feb

My coop is designed for 6 hens. So how many chicks should I order if I want to end up with 6 hens?

Any/all advice is always welcome.

Thanx,

David

 

[congdon476]

1/4 more than you want- the attrition rate can be high sometimes.

 

[Master S.M.C]

Well with ideal if you buy 6-8 pullets you should be fine during transit but they stuff in cockreals for warmth so you end up with 25 chicks plus any extras they send.

 

[birdbrain2]

i just ordered 26 from ideal, i am only keeping 6. i put an add on craigslist.org and sold the remaining 20 chicks in 10 minutes. I ordered the extras for warmth and in case i have some casualties. I should get them on feb 6.

 

[davidr]

I ordered 12 chicks from Ideal with a March 4 ship date.

I think my inexperience will account for a higher than "normal" attrition rate. Hoping to end up with 6-8

They said they may include some males to fill the box and for warmth. That will be interesting.

At what age can you tell the difference between roosters and hens? I will not be able to keep the roosters.

Thanx,

David

 

[katrinag]

By 8 weeks you should have a good idea as to what is a roo.

 

[davidr]

Thanx for your advice.

Now comes the question of what to do with the roosters.

Keeping them or putting them down is not really an option for me.

Thanx again,

David

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
i list all of my extra cockerels and roos on craigslist and they get snapped up quickly.

 

[davidr]

You gave them away or sold them?

How much is an 8 week old rooster worth?

Thanx,

David

 

[4hooves&featheredfriends]

David, How about the special with 25 assorted heavy birds? Would it be worth getting all pullets? You might want to post a local listing at a feed & grain store to sell the rest. The Cust. Service folks at Ideal are wonderful if you do change your mind.