To Hatch or not to Hatch.. that is the ?

[Donamal]

So I have been considering getting some little bantam sized chickens for a long time now. I am finding that getting some can be a trickyish thing because a lot of people I inquire abt getting a few hens don't want to let go of just hens, they will say, pairs only or wont let go of a hen without a roo. I cannot have roosters where I am, so then I consider egg hatching. But, then I look on FB, and most people are just trying to unload some roosters (poor fellas) What Im afraid of with hatching is that Ill either get all or mainly roos, and then what? Do people readily take roos or is it very challenging to rehome them? I don't want to be cruel in getting these little creatures and trying to do the right thing but being in a bad situation where I'm stuck with roos in suburbia where I cant have them Any thoughts/advice on how anyone else handled a similar situation? To Hatch or not. the breeds I would like are bantams or micro's like d'uccles, serama, kikiriki, or Cochin. Looking for pets that are sweet and can be handled. Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

You can get sexed bantams from mypetchicken.com

 

[MROO]

Unless they're a truly rare breed, color, or part of a pair/trio, cockerels and roosters are extremely difficult to rehome. Unless you have a solid plan for the inevitable males, hatching is NOT a good idea!
If you can't find sexed chicks, try your local thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/where-am-i-where-are-you.26/
Posting your location in your profile can help, too.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Having any sort of livestock, pet, or even a garden or potted plant requires you, as the caretaker to make tough decisions. Can I do what is best for my X, that is real love, not what makes us happy or seems nice but the right thing, the best thing, most often the hard thing. If you can’t do that, then the best thing you can do is not have an X, rather get a Y or whatever fits your situation and ability to deal with it. Part of having poultry is dealing with unwanted, injured, sick, old, deformed, extra, wrong color, whatever birds and ‘finding them a new home’ is very often not the answer as nobody else wants it either! If you can buy sexed chicks that is awesome but otherwise you’ll have to learn to eat your roosters or consider something like quail (which you’ll also need to eat the roosters!). It is a hard thing sometimes but real love always is, and it is great you are thinking this through before getting birds.