Jumped in feet first....

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SummerLynn said:
Hey all!
I'm Summer, and I'm a new chicken owner. I am also likely an idiot, but I'm here for help so go gentle on me please.

My family and I recently moved to an area where we are finally allowed to basically do whatever we want without too much in the way of ordinances and the like. And so.....chickens happened. or more specifically, chicks.

I did some research before getting the chicks, but perhaps not enough. I told my dad I was planning on getting some, and said i was going to get just 5 or 6. He said nah get 12, some will end up as roosters and some may not make it. Ok daddy :D So off to TSC I went to get 12 chicks. I told the guy which ones I wanted and he hands me the box and says "i put your free ones in there too" My...what? apparently it was buy so many get so many free and so I left with 16 chicks who are currenly fat and happy in my basement. I have the chick part under control, but while they grow I need to learn all I can and so, well, here I am.
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You're likely not an idiot :)

The TSC people did the same to us last year. 5 free chicks. All males. All mean roos. I have one left... but not for long.
 
drumstick diva said:
Straight run generally = more males than you know what to do with. So he's lying to say they are all layers. Males will never lay an egg in their life. Young females - called pullets eventually become hens at a year of age.

At any rate if you have any that can't be identified. Please post photos at "what breed or gender is this," the folks there will sort them out for you.
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Spartan22 said:
Welcome to BYC!
By the way straight run means NOT all layers, it means mixed female and male (straight run). If it is sexed pullets they will be all layers, I always pay extra on pullets which in 5 years I only had 2 that got away (90-95% accurate) on sexing. Which when we started hatching then I got more in trouble since I tried to wing sex but only works for certain breeds.
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FWIW, breeds that are laying breeds are sold classified as "layers", even in straight run. This does not mean all the chicks will be laying hens, only that they are of laying breeds.
 
Ol Grey Mare said:
FWIW, breeds that are laying breeds are sold classified as "layers", even in straight run. This does not mean all the chicks will be laying hens, only that they are of laying breeds.
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This is what I meant. I think. They are all laying breeds according to the employee, not necessarily hens. I just wanted a mix of colors and stuff to try everything out.
 
Here are some of the chicks I got. Do notice the stitches on my thumb, as I nearly amputated it building their brooder the day I brought them home. I literally have put my blood sweat and tears into these lil chicks and Ive only had them 3 days :)

chick1.jpg
chick2.jpg
chick3.jpg
 
dunnmom said:
You may be able to donate, rehome, or sell your unwanted cockerels if you can't bear to slaughter and eat them. Your local 4-H may have prospective homes. Local chicken social media groups are also helpful sometimes. You might consider keeping a roo for your flock if you are able to do so.
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Is there a benefit to keeping one? I really dont want to crack an egg and get more than I bargained for
 

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