What to expect with straight run chickens?

[Coralietg]

We've ordered online recently for the first time. We have about 18 bantam chickens that are "straight-run". Obviously it's guaranteed that we will have a bunch of roos. What then?

We've only ever bought pullets before. We've only had one surprise rooster. I'd rather warn my husband in advance if he needs to build a second coop.

Thanks!

 

[LeJeune1]

Tell Mr Coralietg to get ready and build another coop! You can expect about 50/50 Roos and hens. My Dutch bantams are some of my faves, as well as the Phoenix b/c they are gentle. But I have several Roos together in a large coop and covered area with little trouble. Let us know how it goes. BTW we're neighbors!! I'm near Oakdale & my dad is in Church Point.

 

[Coralietg]

Very cool! We are between Opelousas and Ville Platte. It's good to know several roosters can be housed together, I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on them as they grow.

 

[thasista]

Whether you have roos or not, you better build that new coop. Once you start getting the chickens you have to get more!!

 

[cashela]

I'm glad this question was answered, I'm looking to maybe purchase some Bantam Wyandottes and it appears that Ideal sells them only as straight run. I'd prefer not to get a roo

 

[Coralietg]

We've owned chickens for the last 4 years. Our 7 adult ladies were all killed by a fox or raccoon a few weeks a go, and the feed stores didn't have chicks yet. I've always wanted some bantams, but they only came straight run. I've lost track of how many chicks are in the brooder, but there is definitely the potential for lots of roos.

 

[lahowardjr]

It seems that when I order a strait run we get 60% roos! Maybe my wife should start ordering!

She seems to have better luck! Yes...several roos can live in the same coop/run and they will work out a pecking order for dominance. The subordinates will still try to romance a hen when the "big roo" is out of site. I will always order by sex from now on unless I plan to butcher a few in a few months for the table.