Please tell me these are not all roosters?

[chickenbrit]

Hi, I'm new to BYC and new to chickens. We started with seven chicks. We got rid of four that we knew for sure were roosters. We thought there was probably one more but we weren't positive. Now I'm thinking all three are roosters!???

What do you think?

Also, are these true RIRs?

 

[Pyxis]

Those all appear to be roosters, yes I would get ahold of whoever sold those to you because seven out of seven chicks being roosters is just not a normal thing, and they may have sold you all the roosters they didn't want to deal with on purpose.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Those all appear to be roosters, yes

I would get ahold of whoever sold those to you because seven out of seven chicks being roosters is just not a normal thing, and they may have sold you all the roosters they didn't want to deal with on purpose.

agreed

 

[Michael OShay]

Those all appear to be roosters, yes

I would get ahold of whoever sold those to you because seven out of seven chicks being roosters is just not a normal thing, and they may have sold you all the roosters they didn't want to deal with on purpose.

I agree as well; all roosters; and whether they are true RIRs is really a matter of definition. They are hatchery quality RIRs or Production Reds. Technically speaking there is little or no difference between Production Reds and hatchery quality RIRs and NHs as hatcheries are mainly concerned with egg production rather than meeting APA standards. If the Production Reds turn out with a darker red feathering (closer to mahogany), the hatcheries market them as RIRs. If their feathering is lighter (closer to chestnut), they market them as NHs. If the red shade is somewhere in the middle or very uneven, the hatcheries market them as Production Reds. Since your birds are of a darker red shade, they were probably marketed as RIRs.

 

[chickenbrit]

That's what I was afraid of. I think it was just luck of the draw. We got them unsexed at tractor supply. My kids hand selected them.

Any suggestions on what we should do with them? A friend of ours killed the first four. We ate one of them and he and he took the other three. He doesn't want to do any more though, and there's no way I'm slaughtering chickens myself.

 

[Pyxis]

You could try rehoming them on your local craigslist. Offer them for free if you don't mind them being used for meat. Sorry you didn't get any hens at all If where you live allows roosters, you could always keep one and get him some hens.

 

[Michael OShay]

That's what I was afraid of. I think it was just luck of the draw. We got them unsexed at tractor supply. My kids hand selected them.

Any suggestions on what we should do with them? A friend of ours killed the first four. We ate one of them and he and he took the other three. He doesn't want to do any more though, and there's no way I'm slaughtering chickens myself.

You can always try and re-home them. You can list them on Craigslist or check with your local feed store. They may know someone who wants them, or they may even have a bulletin board you can advertise them on. You can also check with your local 4h. Some of the students might be interested in having them. Good luck in re-homing your roosters.

 

[chickenbrit]

I had a feeling all along that they were all the same sex since I've never been able to tell any difference between them. We definitely can't keep them. We live in a subdivision on a half acre lot.

 

[chickenbrit]

Now I need to find some hens that are the same age, so we don't have to start the process all over again.

 

[TerryPy]

One of the problems with Tractor Supply is that someone knowledgeable can go thru their tub and buy just the hen chicks (pullets). Also don't get chicks older then 2wks (unless its a hard to sex breed like silkie) as often breeders will sell knowing 80% what the sexes are. Even at 2wks you can take an educated guess at it on most breeds. If its chicks you want try for sex-links.