Official BYC Poll: Why Do You Have Chickens?

[Avian Allie]

I hear ya! It's been such a cockerel year here. If I hatched 10, 8 would be cockerels...

Me too! What is your incubator temp? What brand is it? I’m kind of curious if chickens are mildly temperature sexed like some lizards.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Me too! What is your incubator temp? What brand is it? I’m kind of curious if chickens are mildly temperature sexed like some lizards.

No, they are not. If they were hatcheries would be using that process to hatch boys for meat birds and girls for egg laying purposes.

 

[Araucana Nest]

Me too! What is your incubator temp? What brand is it? I’m kind of curious if chickens are mildly temperature sexed like some lizards.

I use Brinsea. I've tried dropping the temp .1 degree and it hasn't seemed to make a difference. No doubt there is someone working on female chicks somewhere in the world. There is sexed semen for cows- not entirely accurate- sexed chickens are probably being developed now.

 

[Hrseluvr]

Well still kinda new, Got them for eggs. Now its funny how they grew into their own individual personalities, Open the door just to look and they come running to that side of the run. Like saying "Hey Mom can we come out to play?" or " Hey Mom what you got to snack on?" I'm the one they all come running for and follow around when they free range. My husband.. well he is just a stranger in the yard. No matter how he tries to interact with them.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

"sexed chickens are probably being developed now".. That just sounds wrong ...leave mother nature alone...chickens have done well from dinosaurs to egg laying machines and cute to boot let them do what they do.

 

[kelzey]

at first i mainly had the ladies for the eggs (who still have not began to lay) but now i think of them as both pets and therapy chickens. they make my day so much better and if i’m feeling down, i go see them and i immediately feel so much better. listening to them make their noises and just do chicken things makes me so happy- i’ve also started to let them free range a bit if i’m watching, they have their own run which is a decent size but you know. but just watching them run around and explore is just so great- such amazing little dinosaurs. seeing them grow up and get their own personalities is something that everyone should experience

 

[Ridgerunner]

"sexed chickens are probably being developed now".. That just sounds wrong ...leave mother nature alone...chickens have done well from dinosaurs to egg laying machines and cute to boot let them do what they do.

What are the consequences of unsexed chicks. Hatcheries that are hatching hens for laying kill half the chicks they hatch. Roosters don't lay eggs so they are not going not waste money feeding and housing the boys. They are not going to raise them for meat because they make lousy meat birds, no profit there at all. The hatcheries we use hatch a lot more boys than they can sell so they kill the rest. The meat industry raises both boys and girls but there would be more profit if they could just hatch boys.

I'd be strongly in favor of sexed chicks, a lot fewer would be hatched just to die. Since the hen determines which sex the egg will hatch before the egg is even fertilized that means they would have to be able to determine that and the eggs that are not put in the incubator could be sold. I'd consider that a win for everyone.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I checked everything except pest control...but they do love the mice pinkies in the barn.

Other because I enjoy conserving a dual purpose Heritage breed. Mine are Columbian Wyandotte. Meat and eggs from these are wonderful and the hens lay thru the winter supplying my extended family with plenty.
Two point of lay pullets and one of three breed pens.
View attachment 2159836View attachment 2159837

Fertilizer for my fenced garden..no birds allowed inside. Composted clean outs from the hen house and brooder room as well as the cattle manure and hay makes a wonderful mulch for the raised vegetable beds and flower beds.

Exhibition...on the list because showing was to begin this year, but shows were canceled due to Covid 19. Maybe later.

Resale... Not to supplement an income, but to expand the number of people who enjoy the Columbian Wyandotte. Selling hatching eggs and day old chicks gives buyers a good start.

I have hatched over 400 chicks so far this year. Strictly selecting chicks for future breeders as the chicks grow out means those not selected will go into neighbors' layer flocks or freezer.

They are gorgeous! Very huggable chunks!

 

[Liz Birdlover]

So my wife decided she wanted chickens, then she passed away (brain cancer). I promised her I would take care of her prize Yorkie's (only 1 now started with 2) and chickens (only six of eight left). The eggs I generally give away most of them.

Very sorry for your loss. I've lost a few loved ones recently to cancer & I can honestly say there's no one that can give comfort or understanding when I'm having a rough day grieving, as well as a sweet hen or roo that just wants some affection. They've been my therapy, solace & reminder that I can smile & laugh again at their silly & funny antics. I hope yours have brought you some comfort as well.

 

[Sapphire Sebright]

Very sorry for your loss. I've lost a few loved ones recently to cancer & I can honestly say there's no one that can give comfort or understanding when I'm having a rough day grieving, as well as a sweet hen or roo that just wants some affection. They've been my therapy, solace & reminder that I can smile & laugh again at their silly & funny antics. I hope yours have brought you some comfort as well.

I hope that you're doing well, and that you will be blessed with many more years with the rest of your family.