Ideal Straight Run Ratios

[RoostersAreAwesome]

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.

From what I've read, the male chicks in sexed pullet orders are instantly killed, usually by grinder.

 

[Folly's place]

Different hatcheries have different ways of managing excess male chicks, and that was one of them, at least years ago. Awful!
Some hatcheries only sell straight run chicks, some sell excess males in discounted groups, some have 'other methods' of disposing of excess birds.
It's something to consider when you 'only want pullets', because you don't want to be responsible for managing cockerels. Every pullet you order has at least one brother!
I generally order straight run chicks, and my excess cockerels have nice lives, at least for a while.
Mary

 

[Clearwater Chicken]

what are you going to do with the extra chicks? I have always wanted Faverolles, we orderd 2 a long time ago and they both died as chicks. good luck with the extra chicks i. Man those are cute

 

[jolenesdad]

I followed Follys advice and rehomed most of the chicks as a group and have more on the way next week. I kept couple. These are my toddlers picks, and I wanted at least some to be able to stick around. You never know if a hatchery cockerel is going To behave.