Mail-Order Chicks on Their Way but I am confused???

[analyticalblonde]

I just ordered from meyer hatchery and mine are also coming on March 25th! I've been worried about the possibility of getting males as well. We ordered 10 hens of 5 different breeds and tried for more docile breeds and also got wynadottes. Are they not supposed to be docile?

In my readings, Wyandottes ARE considered docile but the breed is known to have aggressive "individuals". This does not mean at all Wyandottes are aggressive individuals, only that there are known to have aggressive ones. So the toss of the dice can mean any of the babies I selected could have an aggressive pullet, but not likely because the pullets are from known breeds to be docile. What I am more worried about is if I receive a cockerel of any of the breeds I selected and it turns out to be aggressive.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Where did you order them from?

I ordered my flock from My Pet Chicken...they have been very helpful with my first order and appear to have policies in place for mishaps...

 

[analyticalblonde]

8 weeks is very young to separate any.
They generally don’t start getting interested in the pullets until about 4 months or so.
I raised 5 cockerels with 2 pullets and they were fine until the boys were between 4-5 months old.
They were a batch of straight run chicks I got at TSC.
After that the boys began to grab and try to breed the hens I had one after the other!
The hens were very stressed because there wasn’t a mature rooster to keep order.
I put two in the freezer, two were bantams I rehomed and I chose to keep the one that was skittish of me and seemed to have the most respect for us humans.
He has turned out to be a good rooster.

I also ordered 13 sexed pullets from a hatchery this last summer and one turned out to be a cockerel.
He is fantastic!
Oliver is a black Australorp and he has always been, from the beginning, very skittish of us.
It’s just his natural personality.
He doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body.
He has a great crow and after he had some experience with the ladies he has become very good with them.
He’s extremely watchful too.
I won’t and can’t get rid of such a great guy.
So the moral of the story is...don’t judge your cockerels too soon lol.
Give it some time but I will say the more skittish boys seem to have more respect for people and turn out better.
That’s just been my experience.
Please keep us posted on how your flock is growing!

Oh, that is a great response...thank you for your input and insight! Good information to know...I will TRY and not be so paranoid

 

[Chickassan]

Great insight has already been given.
Iv'e been "chickening" for yeeeears lol!
I'll tell you they all have different personalities an aggressive breed can be a sweetheart and a docile one a thug. It really is a per chicken basis type thing.
Cockrels same thing, the only exception is it takes a bit longer to see their true character because they're ALL dorks when they're maturing to some extent.
Just relax, chickens aren't hard.
They are confusing, funny, and nerve wracking but not hard.

 

[CannedMonster]

Great insight has already been given.
Iv'e been "chickening" for yeeeears lol!
I'll tell you they all have different personalities an aggressive breed can be a sweetheart and a docile one a thug. It really is a per chicken basis type thing.
Cockrels same thing, the only exception is it takes a bit longer to see their true character because they're ALL dorks when they're maturing to some extent.
Just relax, chickens aren't hard.
They are confusing, funny, and nerve wracking but not hard.

 

[CannedMonster]

I had 3 SL Wyandottes and I rehomed all of them.
I didn’t like them.
They chased and constantly pecked at my juveniles.
My sex link hen (my dominant hen) didn’t do that.
When there weren’t any youngsters about to harass, they would be mean to each other.
I have the sex link, Naked Necks, Australorps, Plymouth Rocks, Speckled Sussex and EE.
They all have great personalities and get along well.
It’s easier if they grow up together.
Don’t be afraid, if you have one or more birds that seems to create chaos, to rehome.
My Wyandottes did much better at my friends house where she has more space and a much larger flock.

 

[TheAmundsons]

We got 10 chicks last spring and one ended up being a rooster. I absolutely love him! I hadn't heard about separating them at that age, only if issues began to arise. We haven't ever had issues with him (we also have 2 drakes, and they all live together), so I couldn't see a reason to cull him.

As you mentioned, roosters are great protectors! I honestly couldn't imagine having a flock without at least one. We also have hawks and bald eagles around a lot, and our rooster does a magnificent job at protecting our girls (and the ducks).

I could imagine people wanting to separate the cockerels if there were multiple, or they became aggressive. Personally, I would only separate if aggression became an issue. I have a friend that has 3 roosters and 16 hens and they all do just fine. I know that's not the norm, but just know it's possible.

All in all, I would give your cockerel(s) a fair chance to show you who they are!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Thank you...I guess you could say I am a nervous, expectant mother

Just take this time to prepare for your chicks and then relax. Don't "overthink" the process and worry about problems that may crop up. It is likely that you will get a male, but roosters can be amazing! We have 30 chickens, and not a mean one in the bunch. By the way, I did NOT handle and fondle the chicks as babies. I had no time for that. When I went to the brooder to feed them I did talk to them and they learn to respond to my voice. They grew to know I am the bringer of the treats! You do not have to "play" with them to make them "nice". You have a wonderful adventure ahead so relax while you can!

 

[Peppercorngal]

I just ordered from meyer hatchery and mine are also coming on March 25th! I've been worried about the possibility of getting males as well. We ordered 10 hens of 5 different breeds and tried for more docile breeds and also got wynadottes. Are they not supposed to be docile?

I have Wyandottes and they are gentle chickens! I have Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, Black Giants, Wyandottes, Buff Orpingtons, a Speckled Sussex, Easter Eggers and one big rooster named Harvey. They were raised together and get along nicely and they are ALL sweet and gentle birds! Likely you will get at least one rooster, and if he is nice count your blessings! You will have fun with them!

 

[adstowe]

I have a GLW who's just about a year old. He was a hatchery screw up that I gave a chance and he's great, but he also grew up with older girls and a dominant roo to keep him in line. He's now running the show and has proven to have been a good choice.