Why buy chicks?

[Col1948]

I keep seeing threads/posts where people say they bought chicks and so many of them turned out to be cockerels and then they say they can't have them and then try to re- home them.

Now if your hen lays eggs and you let them hatch well that is different I'm more on about buying chicks, I knew I didn't want a cockerel because I couldn't have one where I live so I bought young pullets.
I'm curious as why more don't buy just pullets knowing they are pullets and not gambling that none are going to be a cockerel.

I know it's your choice and I'm not have a go at you I'm just curious.

 

[Mrs.Megan]

Because the breed of chicken I want is not common and the only reputable breeder I found offers only a straight run.

 

[Dona Worry]

I keep seeing threads/posts where people say they bought chicks and so many of them turned out to be cockerels and then they say they can't have them and then try to re- home them.

Now if your hen lays eggs and you let them hatch well that is different I'm more on about buying chicks, I knew I didn't want a cockerel because I couldn't have one where I live so I bought young pullets.
I'm curious as why more don't buy just pullets knowing they are pullets and not gambling that none are going to be a cockerel.

I know it's your choice and I'm not have a go at you I'm just curious.

Because babies are cute.
Because I like to watch them grow up.
Because it's less expensive upfront.
Because I don't care all that much about unexpected roos.

 

[Col1948]

Thanks for the replies, like I said I wasn't having a go, just curious.
I bought my pullets from a farm not too far away, he was advertising them as 'point of lay' when I got there he had a large flock with a few Cockerels and Roosters, I said I just wanted Pullets, I picked different breeds so the grandkids could name them plus i could tell them apart lol.
He just went up and grabbed the ones I wanted, I'll be honest if he had picked a cockerel I wouldn't have known.

 

[Compost King]

I prefer buying adults but if I want a specific breed I gotta order chicks... and after I receive chicks the breed I want is all over craigslist in my area for well below the expected price! And if I sit and wait for a breed to come up on Craigslist it won't come up, or the person selling it is selling a mixed chicken that isn't even close to the breed they claimed... or someone else bought it 5 minutes before I enquired about it.

 

[Kelly&Co]

Well, sexing chicks is only about 90% accurate at best, so even if you pay the extra money for pullets, you can still end up with a few cockerels.

But, why get straight run? Well, some folks might be starting out and not know what that means. Or, maybe they only need a few chicks and getting a batch shipped from a hatchery is more expensive than picking up some extras locally and hoping. Local stores may only have straight run, or have gotten straight run mixed up with pullets or put in the wrong brooder. Some chicks, like bantams, aren't routinely sexed because they're too delicate.

I know the chicks at the store can be awfully tempting at the store because they're so cute or a fun variety even when we really don't need more chickens!

 

[SomeChickinTN]

Because I had the brilliant idea to try to start a flock out of season, and the only place I can find breeds I want is online. And because anyone halfway locally who has pullets I'm interested in are still too far away.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

I'm a first time chicken mom, so wanted them for eggs and to be pets. Wanted to imprint them so they would be super friendly to us. Also wanted the Mareks vaccine for all my babies.

 

[Kasilofchrisn]

For me I don't mind the occasional rooster.
I just butcher them and can them up in a jar as soup with some of my garden veggies.
Older hens are rarely offered in my area .
Plus I'm not really wanting someone elsese cast off birds that they didn't want.
You just never know why they're getting rid of them.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I often wonder why people buy the straight run chicks. The price difference isn't that much. Do they like surprises and living on the edge? As well, when you buy chicks that are shipped to you, you might get an extra few "packing peanuts" for heat which usually means cockerels. Although sexing chicks has a 10% failure rate, I would take my chances if I ordered chicks vs straight run which is guaranteed to have a cockerel or several... Also, "if" I happened to get a cockerel that I wasn't supposed to get, I would keep him regardless because I just couldn't part with him and then I would most likely end up with a few extra headaches.
So far, I've only gotten older birds. The idea of brooding chicks doesn't appeal to me as I'm a worrier and there is enough worrying with an older bird.
I guess it's all in the goals and wants of the person getting the birds.