Topic of the Week - What do/can you do with unwanted roosters?

[Electric Chickens]

Not sure that's something that can be bred for. Used to have a phoenix hen that hatched out almost exclusively females. Her daughters either were more 50-50 or leaned towards male heavy clutches

I've found limited data about horse breeds having different gender ratios. Since the Y chromosome comes from the rooster, that's probably where you would want to start.

 

[CityFarmerRob]

Not sure that's something that can be bred for. Used to have a phoenix hen that hatched out almost exclusively females. Her daughters either were more 50-50 or leaned towards male heavy clutches

Not sure how accurate it is but I have read some article that talk about temperature and environment having an effect on male/female ratios. Anyone that has a suggestion on this from experience, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I've found limited data about horse breeds having different gender ratios. Since the Y chromosome comes from the rooster, that's probably where you would want to start.

Females determine the sex in chickens. It's a W chromosome. Males have 2 Z

 

[CityFarmerRob]

Wow! 20 is a lot! It’s so sweet you keep them! I’ve only had 5 cockerels three of them I gave away with many tears the other two I still have

Well I'm sure it's a matter of time before I'm going to have to thin these guys down. And it won't be easy for me, since I just pretty much started keeping birds these birds are apart of the first batch that I raised from egg. So I'm kind of attached. Because of the different breeds all being crossed there are no two alike. I would really like to see roosters find a place as pets instead of being seen as pests. Biggest complaint I get is the crowing, and living where I do they are low on the list of loud noises that are likely to wake you up or aggravate. Between the sirens, banging of large trucks up and down the road and the fireworks and gunshots, I would think that a rooster would be a pleasant sound. So I think we should all try to promote roosters as pets!

 

[CityFarmerRob]

Females determine the sex in chickens. It's a W chromosome. Males have 2 Z

Well if I understand what I was reading it seems like when this happens it almost always or always starts out as a female that takes on male characteristics. Not sure if a fully born male can do this, but please guys don't beat me up about this I am no expert. But for those of you that are experts and scientifically trained to understand the mechanics of all of this, I really appreciate you sharing this. Looks like I need to start educating myself on the science behind what is actually going on here specifically in these chickens. All of this has more than peaked my curiosity!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well if I understand what I was reading it seems like when this happens it almost always or always starts out as a female that takes on male characteristics. Not sure if a fully born male can do this, but please guys don't beat me up about this I am no expert. But for those of you that are experts and scientifically trained to understand the mechanics of all of this, I really appreciate you sharing this. Looks like I need to start educating myself on the science behind what is actually going on here specifically in these chickens. All of this has more than peaked my curiosity!

When what happens?

 

[CityFarmerRob]

When what happens?

Sorry I probably should have been more clear. When a bird seems to turn from a hen to a rooster. It seems they start looking like a hen and at some point immaturity they take on the outer characteristics of a rooster.

 

[CityFarmerRob]

Sorry I probably should have been more clear. When a bird seems to turn from a hen to a rooster. It seems they start looking like a hen and at some point immaturity they take on the outer characteristics of a rooster.

At some point of maturity. Oops

 

[Electric Chickens]

Females determine the sex in chickens. It's a W chromosome. Males have 2 Z

This is new to me! I need to research it. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Sorry I probably should have been more clear. When a bird seems to turn from a hen to a rooster. It seems they start looking like a hen and at some point immaturity they take on the outer characteristics of a rooster.

That has nothing to do with a hen determining the sex of her chicks. All hens determine the sex of their offspring.