New Chicken Mama/I think I have roos...were all supposed to be pullets

[danielbrown]

People getting meaties thinking they are layers happens more often than it should.

The feed store probably bought the cheapest chicks they could buy to sell as layers.

It might be better to rehome these guys than watch them keel over.

These are 2 of my cornishX that I raised this year.

 

[featherpants]

Hi, and new at this.. This isn't an answer to the question. I haven't figured out just exactly how to post a question... YET. (I'm not very bright or adept in the world of computers. >.<) But at least I think I'm in the right area for criteria, as this has to do with not knowing just all I have.

I have 11 chickens. Bought 7 of em, when they were just a few days old, (so I was told), and was also told, they were the "leftover" chicks. Seems I'd gotten there late, and they were all out. Well, was also told they were pullets. Several weeks later, I picked up 4 more birds from a different store. 2 were Bantys, straight run, so I knew I had roughly a 50/50 chance they'd be hens. The other 2 were SLW, out of the bunch that were pullets.

Now, from reading BYC's forums, I'm starting to recognise the differences in roos and hens. SEVERAL of my chickens, have sickle shaped tail feathers. To my disappointmennt, the prettiest, and biggest "hen", started crowing about a week ago. Both Bantys I'd bought, turned out to be roos, and this I could see pretty quickly in their developement. But the rest, well.. they left me guessing. And as for breeds, well, I'm guessing on that too. I'm not well versed in chicken breeds, so I browse this section alot. When I figure out how to upload pics, I'll get that done, and let y'all tell me what they are. lol.

But, I'm worried because I've gotten no inkling of eggs yet.

The roos are chasing the hens about, if that's any inclination that they may be close. I know it's hot, but I keep plenty of water in their pen, and they seem pretty active and healthy. But, could I have gotten a sterile or "bad" batch of chickens? Do the "leftover" chicks lack quality? I was told the origenal 8 were pullets, but not so, judging by the sound/looks/behavior of my fave "hen".

One more question... My mom in law told me you can't eat fertilized eggs. I was under the impression, if you collect the eggs on an everyday basis, and refridgerated them, they would be, in fact, edible. Or perhaps I'm mistaken? Would appreciate any chicken lessons I can learn from anyone with more experience raising chickens than I have. ^^

 

[silkiechicken]

You can eat fertilized eggs, and some cultures even eat eggs that have not only been fertilized, but incubated for a number of days. Don't have to refridgerate them and as long as a hen is not sitting on them, they will be just fine to eat.

As for your birds, they should lay anywhere between 5 and 9 months or so. As for gender, posting pics would help. If you want to post a new thread, go to the main section page and press the yellow post thread button. That will get you more answers.


Welcome!

 

[walkswithdog]

Five to nine months are laying periods to start in most breeds. My earliest has been 19 weeks and my oldest 21 but I now have some banties, I am told may lay later.

Chickens also will not lay when they're NOT happy with the nest available. I had shavings in the nest and only had a couple of takers, add hay and voila - eight layers.

Preferences in nesting type, height and space vary.

Fertilized eggs if they're undeveloped - most people wouldn't know the difference.

Developed eggs being eaten is a matter of culture.

Straight run is more like 70 % roo and 30% (or less) chance of hen.

I'm VERY sorry about the person who got meaties, thinking they were layers. Some feed store people lie, others just don't know any better.

If you only let them free range and do NOT feed them hardly any commercial feed they may live longer, even long enough to lay. And then you could raise a few of the eggs/chicks (again mostly on free range) to be your layers and then work up to normal birds over time.

In a way it would be sort of a kindness project, if you can get any of the group to production age you can defy the odds.

 

[Sillystunt]

That's just wrong! Did you go back to feed store?
i disagree about the 70/30 it's more 90/10 lol
pay the extra 40 cents to buy a pullet! It helps out in the long run~

 

[Hazelnut]

Andrea,
I am also a vegetarian and I can't imagine what you are going through. When I first heard about Cornish X and how they grow too fast for their hearts and bones it made me so sad. I have heard that some people have successfully kept them as pets without them having heart attacks or broken bones. There is a special diet that they can be on and I believe, with careful nutrition, that they can have a happy life, even if it may be shorter than healthier breeds of chickens. I'm sure that there is someone out there that knows the proper diet they need, maybe post a question in the feeding section? Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[SCallahan]

I would find a different feed store. That is absurdly ignorant and/or dishonest.

 

[HeatherLynn]

I would not try to buy on craigslist when you start over either. Speckled had to give me my bad news too. Its not fun. Paying extra for hens does not mean you will get hens.

I think maybe I will find one of the BYC people nearby who wants to sell some extras next time I add to my flock.

Sorry for you bad news.

 

[NicInNC]

Quote:
I would march myself right back down to the feed store and give someone a piece of my mind! I really hope you don't let them get away with this.

 

[kassy68]

I agree with the others.. Meaties and I would take one back into the store and tell them you were mis lead and need a refund...

Now that you ARE attached to them (I have 40 of the little stinkers and 5 of them are my buddies) I would definitely lower the amount of feed they get and definitely take food out of the coop at night.

They can live a longer life, but they need to stay thinner. they will even give you eggs.. What percent were you feeding them? THe hatchery told me to keep mine on 24% starter and then reduce at 5 weeks to 20% for the remainder.

Again.. You probably have quite a few roos in there and they will probably get mean.. but take the food away... reduce the amount then get.. Maybe feed them 3 x a day as much as they can eat in a 5 minute time and let them free range for the rest.. see if they slow down in growth. A higher protein probably wouldnt hurt either becuase of the fast growth..