Is there something in incubating that determines you get more roos?

[HeatherLynn]

Ok just curious, is there anything that is done that ups the chances of more roos to hens? I had heard something about low temps. Just curious

 

[chickendude]

Simply put..... No...... Sorry.

 

[SpringChickens]

Nope, that only works in certain types of reptiles. Birds have ZW chromosomes (similar to our XY), and that's what determines the sex.

 

[Chickenfarmer 1-2-b]

seems to me higher temp causes more roos. Mine hatched 2 days early, which suggests high temp. I got 11 out of 12 roos. One single hen. I turned down the temp a little on the last hatch 6 wks ago, hatched on time. I gave 3 away and kept 4 chicks. So far looks like 2 pullets and 2 roos of the 4 I have, but too early for sure.

 

[perolane]

Quote:
Incubating reptile eggs for a specific sex can be done using temp manipulation....doesn't work with chickens. If it happened, it was coincidence.

 

[cracked_egg]

This is funny because some students of mine (and their mothers) told me that they learned in 4H that the temp controlled what sex you got... I didn't buy it, but thought maybe it is an idea that hatcheries sell because they don't want people to know what they do with all the roos...

 

[Kedreeva]

Chickenfarmer... guarantee it wasn't the temp... Gender for chickens is determined the same way as in humans (mostly). It's predetermined pretty much at conception and has nothing to do with temp and everything to do with chromosomes.

Sorry OP, nothing you can do but hope your hens throw lots of daughters!

 

[al6517]

It's an old wives tale, gender is determined at conception same as most other animals. Think about this if it were true the entire industry would have changed years ago.

AL

 

[HeatherLynn]

Well thats a relief. I read about it and was like dang it i am having a hard enough time keeping it steady between 99 and 100. If I have to get more specific than that or I'll get all roos I could lose my mind. Ok so I get what I get and I just gotta keep it steady. No pressure. cool beans