I'd like to hear what you guys have to say. I'm debating putting an order in with a breeder fro straightrun chicks. My goal is a trio or quad with a roo and 2-3 hens. If I get an say 2 roo's I'll divide the hens...if I get more I'd order more starightrun as that's all they come. So for those that have delt with straight run do you think 5 is enough to start? If I even get one hen and 4 roos I'd be pleased and at least be at a place to start. So when your ordering staright run how many to your order? How often do you get all roo's or all hen's? Thanks!
It's a crap shoot but it's supposed to end up being 50/50. I hatched out a bunch of Ameraucana eggs once and all I got was pullets. If I were ordering straight run and wanted a trio, I'd order at least 8.
I'd determine how many hens I really wanted. Let's say you really want 3 hens? Order 8-10 chicks. You just cannot tell with straight runs. Never can. You'll have to "weed out" the roosters before breeding age anyhow. Nothing better than a young, tender rooster at about 17 or 18 weeks for eating!!! If they are flashy enough, there may be a market for re-selling, as another option.
One straight run, I got 6 cockerels and 9 pullets. However, it could easily go the other way. There are lots of folks who could tell of getting 5 cockerels and 1 hen - or even all cockerels. It's a gamble.
When I ordered 5 chicks straight run I got 4 boys and one girl. Not the best odds but it could have been all boys. I was told the more you order the closer you get to the 50/50 ratio. With smaller numbers it could go either way.
It's cheaper and easier to order sexed chicks and get exactly what you want than it is to get a bunch of cockerels that you don't want.
Quote:If I understood the OP correctly, the breeder only sells them straight run. I'd not mess around with two orders and pay shipping twice. Just order a bunch and you'll be much happier with the result.
Remember that not every chick you hatch will be worth keeping for breeding. Also, it is nice to have at least 2 roosters in case of accident or infertility. you can always sell, rehome or eat extras. I'd get a dozen.
We ordered 5 Pullet RIR and 5 SR so we could get a rooster.... Ended up with 9 hens and 1 roo!! Lucked out big time!!!! April
So for those that have delt with straight run do you think 5 is enough to start? You never really know I once bought 25 birds and all but 4 were hens. Later I bought 10 and 7 were roosters. If I wanted 3 birds to keep, I'd buy at least 10 and keep the nicest three You can always sell the extras, or eat them
