using extremely high temps to hatch only females

[LaFleche]

Has anyone else gotten *lucky* with a high ratio of pullets?

Yes, I have since I took care to have more relaxed hens. With my wonderful Kraienköppe I had mostly female chicks, last hatch was 2.14 = 2 male and 14 female.

 

[LaFleche]

environmental conditions that could increase pullet ratio

Neither cold nor heat is favourable as is causes stress.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Not necessarily- The Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids (which we could not do today!) but didn't have the invention of a wheel! Same for Stonehenge etc...

How did they have chariot races without the wheel?

 

[NatJ]

hatch 1 (under broody- my eggs) 9 eggs hatched, 6 roosters
hatch 2 (under broody- my eggs) 6 eggs hatched, 5 roosters
hatch 3 (under broody- my eggs) 6 eggs hatched, 5 roosters
hatch 4 (under broody- my eggs) 4 eggs hatched, 3 roosters
hatch 5 (incubator- all bought eggs) 33 eggs hatched, 19 roosters
hatch 6 (incubator- mine & bought eggs) 32 eggs hatched, 17 roosters
hatch 7 (under broody) 8 eggs hatched, I think 6 are roosters (maybe only 5)
hatch 8 (incubator-my eggs) 13 eggs hatched -I think 8 are roosters but they will have pea combs and its too early to tell...but I think 8 because of their legs and stance.

So..now you see why I want to find a way to get less roosters.

How many different hens did your eggs come from?

I've read that most hens produce about equal numbers of males and females, but that some few hens do produce more of one gender or the other. So if your eggs mostly came from one or two hens, that might explain the unusual ratio with them. (Doesn't explain the purchased eggs, of course.)

 

[WallyG74]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...affect-sex-of-developing-chick-embryo.464670/

Very similar content. I knew I had read a lengthy thread somewhere on here. It took some digging.

 

[PolishAllTheWay]

I mean to me that would mean a large number of the eggs wouldn't hatch I don't think genetically a chick will change from male DNA to female due to the temp change. So if what you're saying is correct (which I have no idea if it is or not, lets say for argument sake it is correct) then only the female eggs should survive which if you have a roughly 80% rate of getting roosters that means that the very most 20% of your eggs would hatch.

I would probably be looking at replacing the rooster if you're getting that many males over females.

I agree with that 100% I’ve always had a lot more roosters then hens, I’ve replaced a lot of my roosters this year and have had a lot more success with hens so I would definitely replace your rooster. unless he is super special!

 

[ackie]

the ratio should approach 50/50 with infinity eggs, but these small hatches that people are referencing are going to have skewed values

 

[NatJ]

I agree with that 100% I’ve always had a lot more roosters then hens, I’ve replaced a lot of my roosters this year and have had a lot more success with hens so I would definitely replace your rooster. unless he is super special!

But the hen determines the sex of the chick.

 

[PolishAllTheWay]

But the hen determines the sex of the chick.

Idk about that, but I’m just agreeing with someone, kk

 

[LaFleche]

But the hen determines the sex of the chick.

While that is true, if she does not like the rooster she will have more male offspring, some hens even expel the semen after mating if they do not like the rooster.