Pros and cons of unsexed chicks?

[Cryss]

I don't trust mail order. I'm lucky enough to live near a breeder of the rarer breeds. For a small fee he also raises them till they can be outside if you need, which I did as I had no brooder at the time. He guarentees pullets and will trade back any cockerels if he makes a mistake. If you are planning a flock of rare birds you generally don't want to be eating that $25 rooster. If you're not going the rare bird route those boys can be tasty.

 

[bruceha2000]

You are very lucky @Cryss!

 

[bobbi-j]

I don't trust mail order. I'm lucky enough to live near a breeder of the rarer breeds. For a small fee he also raises them till they can be outside if you need, which I did as I had no brooder at the time. He guarentees pullets and will trade back any cockerels if he makes a mistake. If you are planning a flock of rare birds you generally don't want to be eating that $25 rooster. If you're not going the rare bird route those boys can be tasty.

You're absolutely right! It all depends on your flock goals. We want extra boys to put in the freezer. I'm not paying $25 for them.

 

[Shady Oak Farm]

Just my 2¢
Got gifted one doz. unsexed babies 6 were roos. Unless you plan to eat them don't do it. Took me almost a year to get rid of them. The whole time I'm feeding them, for what really? There were so many they tore up my girls and they didn't have a moment's peace all day. Nope no one wants them. I had to put an ad online giving them away. And that I had to do several times. Not worth.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quite true @Shady Oak Farm. If, like some, you can/will eat the cockerels when they get big enough, not a big problem. Otherwise BIG problem.

 

[cmom]

I wanted Brown Leghorns and had been looking for quite awhile. Rural King had a bin marked Brown Leghorns so I got 6 chicks, they turned out to be Partridge Rocks. I knew for sure when they layed brown eggs. I sold them and did find a breeder and now I have my lovely Rose Comb Dark Brown Leghorns. As chicks they do look similar. I just had my first hatch from them.

 

[Compost King]

I always wanted Welsummers and TSC had them but it was straight run. I got 4. 1 died in he brooder (probably my fault) I ended up with 2 Roosters and 1 Hen. After giving away one rooster I have 1 male and 1 female. I found them to be the easiest chickens to manage. Even the Rooster is mild mannered. They never spill their water or get rowdy. The good side to straight run is that I am now going to breed them. I found out that you can sex them shortly after hatching by the pattern around the eye. If someone wants one rooster but worry about that rooster being a hassle... get a Welsummer.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

That is a beautiful seabright roo you have

x 2. real pretty little Roo/

 

[TheOgdensmenagerie]

I did all unsexed this year and I got 2 hens to 6 Roosters. I'm not going to play the lottery anytime soon. Lol
Slaughter house they go.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you buy from hatchery, there are breeds not available sexed, such as bantams or rarer breeds. If you prefer to buy from an individual breeder, they are likely not available sexed.
Unsexed are usually cheaper (but you have to have a plan for the inevitable cockerels. If you plan to eat them, then maybe that's the way to go.)

Vent sexing is only about 90% accurate in the best of times. So if you buy 20 sexed pullets be ready to have two or more little cockerels.