Rooster Concerns

[Molly020403]

I haven't looked into pullets too much, but I don't have much money to spend. I think if I do decide to go down the chick route that I'll use CL if I get a rooster.

I would have a backup plan too. Last summer I got six chicks and all six ended up being roosters. I listed them for free on CL and didn't get a single reply.

 

[mkiwi]

I would have a backup plan too. Last summer I got six chicks and all six ended up being roosters. I listed them for free on CL and didn't get a single reply.

What did you do with them?

 

[Molly020403]

I ended up paying a woman that I have bought chickens from in the past to take them. It was lucky that it worked out. Since then, I have culled several roosters because I haven't been able to find homes for them. Hopefully the market is less saturated where you are, but often there are a few people getting rid of roosters.

 

[Tigerkity]

Hopefully the market is less saturated where you are, but often there are a few people getting rid of roosters.

You make a good point, I expect the market in a few months to be more saturated with not only roosters but also with all the hens that people realised are more work than wanted. Due to all the panic buying of chicks due to COVID and they wont be cute fluffy baby chicks anymore and people wont be home as much like they are now.

 

[keesmom]

I live in Georgetown, SC and I'm looking into buying unsexed chicks from a local feed store or online. However, my city doesn't allow roosters in the area that I live in. They allow hens, though. My concern is: what will I do if some of the chicks I buy end up being male? I doubt I'd be able to return them. What should I do?

If you can't have a rooster I suggest you avoid buying straight run chicks. On average half will be male, maybe even more. I've had 100% cockerel hatches before, it happens. Extra males here go to the freezer, but I suspect that's not something you would like to do.

There must be a feed store somewhere near you that has sexed chicks. Most breeds are 90% accurate on sexing. Or get black or red sex links, where down color is 100% indicative of gender.