Nervous my pullets will turn out to actually have been roo's

[FamFitz]

Any advice?? New to chickens and I'm nervous that the 4 chicks I got this week (and the 4 more I plan to get over the next two weeks as the breeds I want come in) will all turn out to be roosters. They were all sexed with a 90% guarantee of pullets. But I tend to have lousy luck and can see all of them turning out to be roosters. Any words of wisdom or calming advice you can give me?

Also, I've seen several threads where BYC Members try to sex chicks with an educated guess. At what age is this best done via pictures? The chicks I have now range from 2 days to 10 days old. It seems like 4-6 weeks might be the best time to start to sex them via pictures posted to BYC. Is that right?

I think I'm mostly nervous because 1) over the last few years I have gotten 4 rabbits all of whom were guaranteed to be female and all turned out to be male. And 2) If most of mine turn out to be Roo's and I don't really know until 6 weeks from now, the feed stores will no longer have the chick breeds I want and this will have all been for nothing. Not to mention my kids will be bummed if the chick they like best doesn't get to stick around.

PS: I apologize in advance for the number of options I have as poll answers. Was trying to cover all my basis.

edited by staff

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Breathe. Relax. It's totally understandable to be nervous about this, but, really, you have a very, very good chance of having all, or mostly, pullets.

Depending on the breed, some are but easier to tell the sex of earlier on.

Have fun! And, good luck.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You wont get a rooster. Hatcheries vent sexing is far more accurate than 90%.

 

[enola]

Where did you get your chicks?

 

[FamFitz]

I got my chicks from a few different feed stores in my area. I didn't even think to ask/research the hatcheries they got them from. #RookieMistake?

 

[enola]

Not a rookie mistake. Usually feed store chicks are healthy. If you are looking for chickens to supply you with eggs and entertainment you made a good choice.

 

[FamFitz]

Thanks! I tend to over panic about things. I'm mostly just worried that my RIR is actually a roo. I have no evidence that she's a he, just a worried feeling. Especially since my RIR is both my DH's & DS1's favorite chick. I never expected DH to get into having chickens, but he totally is. If his favorite has to go he's going to be a grump I just know it. =P

 

[16 paws]

I just have to add my experience....
I started off buying 3 chicks from my local feed store. They gave us the same 90% pullet rate. I ended up with 1 boy and 2 girls. The next time I got chicks from another feed store I ended up with 5 girls and 1 boy.
Try not to worry about it thou. These things have a way of working out either way.
Just enjoy your babies...
Marie

 

[FamFitz]

Thanks Everyone! I'm feeling much better about the whole ordeal. It's good to hear that venting is pretty accurate. I'm probably just worrying for no reason. Going to try to focus on just enjoying my chickies and the whole process and try not to worry about roos. =P

 

[eggspectation]

When we got out first chicks we read everything we could find in BC and the internet so we could understand how to care for our new pets. Have fun learning.