Ideal Straight Run Ratios

[jolenesdad]

I got 30 straight run chicks today when I ordered 8 pullets. :-/ I had added onto my feed stores order. Idea messed up didn’t have anywhere to put them so I took them all.

Now they called me and said Ideals gonna credit it and send me pullets next week. I said no thanks, there’s got to be a few pullets in here.

the feed store told me they’re nervous they’ll all be boys. What kind of ratios is anyone seeing from ideal straight runs? Wondering if I should take the offer for pullets? I really don’t need more than one of each breed but they’re unique looking breeds my son picked so I’d rather not have to get rid of all of them if they’re boys.

whatever they are, now I’ve got to figure out where to brood this many!!!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

These 'straight run' that people order will usually get mostly males..... that's because most people who actually orders pre-sexed chickens will get females because of their egg laying, leaving a bunch of boys out in the cold. So to get rid of the boys, they offer this 'straight run' deals for a bargain price so they can get rid of the boys and include 1 or 2 females in them to keep you somewhat happy. That's how it works, it's not random as you believe it to be! So be wary of this if you're thinking of ordering straight run.

 

[MGG]

You could try vent sexing. I did it with Bobwhite quail which I know is advised against, but it was the only way to try to determine the gender and I wanted to keep a breeder pair. I was selling the rest the next day and didn't want to be stuck with two boys or two girls. I also vent sexed the ones I sold and put little pink bands on the girls leg and little blue ones on what I thought was the boy's legs. Anyway they're 4 months old now and I got them all right! So it can be done. I know they aren't quail, but that's what I'd try. It can only be done in the first few days though.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd have taken those extra pullets when offered (free?) from Ideal. More birds gives you more choices, separating keepers from birds to be sold or eaten. It would be VERY unlikely that you will have 30 cockerels; not impossible, but unlikely. Get lotto tickets if you score 30 of either sex!
Mary

 

[jolenesdad]

I'd have taken those extra pullets when offered (free?) from Ideal. More birds gives you more choices, separating keepers from birds to be sold or eaten. It would be VERY unlikely that you will have 30 cockerels; not impossible, but unlikely. Get lotto tickets if you score 30 of either sex!
Mary

I agree I should have. Maybe I will. But I’m supposed to be DOWNsizing before a move, not upsizing. A quick order of a few pullets is going to turn into 50 chicks if I’m not careful.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would take the replacement pullets and start selling the straight runs.

Can you post pics of what you were sent along with listing what you actually ordered?
Maybe there aren't even any of the desired breeds in the oopsie batch.

 

[jolenesdad]

I would take the replacement pullets and start selling the straight runs.

Can you post pics of what you were sent along with listing what you actually ordered?
Maybe there aren't even any of the desired breeds in the oopsie batch.

Okay. Maybe this. This is a good idea let me see what they’re offering and if they refund this entire order I’ll find someone for them and get my pullets next week

I ordered 2 each
Welsummer
Cream Brabanter
Silver Spangled Spitz
Salmon Faverolle

got the most random numbers

5 welsummer
5 Brabanter
10 spitz
10 Faverolle

1 light Brahma and 1 Easter egger had jumped the divider so I kept them.

this is just an overhead shot but I’m fairly certain all breeds are correct.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I see a couple other than the barrier hoppers that don't look like they match the breeds you listed.

Faverolle should be easy as they have 5 toes, feathered feet and chicks are fluffy yellow.
Welsummer should be chipmunk striped.

The oddballs to me are the dark headed without stripes......not 100% sure what the brabanter babies look like though.

 

[jolenesdad]

Those are the five Brabanters. They have muffs too. I’ll take some close up pics tonight because why not. Who doesn’t like to see chicks.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Those are the five Brabanters. They have muffs too. I’ll take some close up pics tonight because why not. Who doesn’t like to see chicks.

Yes pics!! It looks like the correct breeds were sent. THAT makes me happy for you.

I did manage to get 5 for 5 males in a straight run years ago.