You Can Sex a Chicken Egg?

[Ridgerunner]

I know this is off-topic from your first post, but you own this thread and you brought it up. I realize this shows one place in Canada and does not necessarily represent each and every broiler breeding operation worldwide, but I think it is informative. It changed some of my incorrect conceptions about broiler breeding.

Can you please tell me what is so awful that these mothers of the broilers go through where the mothers of the egg layers are better off.

I'll also mention that there could be a genetic basis behind the shape of the egg, but I don't know how this relates to chickens. Cliff dwelling birds that lay in fairly shallow nests usually lay oval or pointy eggs. This shape helps prevent the eggs from rolling around. Birds that lay in deep nests often lay round eggs, not oval. As you said, nothing is 100% in nature and you can always find exceptions. I really don't know how this relates to the discussion, but why not muddy the waters?

 

[yinepu]

I'll also mention that there could be a genetic basis behind the shape of the egg, but I don't know how this relates to chickens. Cliff dwelling birds that lay in fairly shallow nests usually lay oval or pointy eggs. This shape helps prevent the eggs from rolling around. Birds that lay in deep nests often lay round eggs, not oval. As you said, nothing is 100% in nature and you can always find exceptions. I really don't know how this relates to the discussion, but why not muddy the waters?

oh lets really muddy the waters!

lol.. I have emu eggs in my bator.. I have a range of egg shapes... some are rounded on one end.. some are pointed on both ends.. I'll have to make a note of the egg shape for the ones that hatch out.. then compare it to the DNA tests when I get them back
could be interesting.. and heck.. won't cost me anything other than the DNA tests which we were planning to do anyway

 

[bestpractice]

I do have to admit that when I was sexing those chicks I was laughing when they sexed true to egg shape.. but I am a die hard disbeliever until I know something can be repeated over and over.. just cause it worked for me the one time I tried it doesn't make it a world wide fact.. just that it worked for me that one time that I tried it.. which is why I made a point of stating it would take much more data to make me a believer

do I think it's possible?.. sure.. darn near anything is possible under the correct circumstances.. but I don't have the time, money, or room to hatch out the hundreds of thousands of eggs it would take to make it a fact
do I think it's probable?.. no clue.. I'll leave that for greater minds than my own.. lol
However I am always open to new ideas... so it will be interesting to see if science ever proves or disproves it

being genetic is also an interesting point (which we brought up in the other thread).. it's quite possible that it worked for me simply because my birds have the genes for it... and it's also quite possible that it was only a fluke as I tend to believe
I will keep an eye on any future eggs I hatch out.. and make a point to only set pointed eggs when we want DP meat birds... it would be great if I could hatch out all cockerels... but if not then the pullets are also tasty.. we just prefer the boys since ours tend to fill out a bit better than our girls do. lol

There is a lot of research on egg shell quality and the role of genetics for obvious reasons -- here is one article http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/2288/improving-egg-safety-through-genetics-eggshell-quality There is a considerable amount of research information on the subject and I would sure like to find it. I'm good with being wrong, but I want to see some good studies. The studies would have to be extremely large because of the genetic influence on egg quality. Obviously the technology to sex a chicken before its born exists, but is it cost effective to utilize it?

 

[bestpractice]

I know this is off-topic from your first post, but you own this thread and you brought it up. I realize this shows one place in Canada and does not necessarily represent each and every broiler breeding operation worldwide, but I think it is informative. It changed some of my incorrect conceptions about broiler breeding.

Can you please tell me what is so awful that these mothers of the broilers go through where the mothers of the egg layers are better off.
I'll also mention that there could be a genetic basis behind the shape of the egg, but I don't know how this relates to chickens. Cliff dwelling birds that lay in fairly shallow nests usually lay oval or pointy eggs. This shape helps prevent the eggs from rolling around. Birds that lay in deep nests often lay round eggs, not oval. As you said, nothing is 100% in nature and you can always find exceptions. I really don't know how this relates to the discussion, but why not muddy the waters?

good information, thanks ridge.

 

[yinepu]

Obviously the technology to sex a chicken before its born exists, but is it cost effective to utilize it

only if the consumer is willing to foot the bill.. and from what I have seen (especially with the economy) .. we're not

 

[Tracy the chick]

Hope it works

 

[bestpractice]

This method is cheaper, doesn't require fancy equipment, and you don't waste an egg. The reality of feeding the world is painful to watch, but people should educate themselves and gain a basic understanding of how "science" and agriculture work. The chicken by-products from this method are sold and they make a profit from it. I DO NOT support this method.

Brutal killing of Male Chickens in a Grinder Alive in a Hatchery in USA
http://community.yourdiscovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/534102464/m/795107405

This is the video.
http://www.mercyforanimals.org/hatchery/

Do NOT shoot the messenger, I do NOT support this method.

 

[rgvchicks]

There has to be a way of knowing if a chick is male or female when they hatch.....How do hatcheries sell roosters or pullets one day old? and have a good rate ...i think ideal is 1 strike out of 10 ordered.

 

[bestpractice]

There has to be a way of knowing if a chick is male or female when they hatch.....How do hatcheries sell roosters or pullets one day old? and have a good rate ...i think ideal is 1 strike out of 10 ordered.

Hi rgvchicks. Yes, there are several methods for sexing baby chicks. We are discussing how to sex by egg shape, before they are born. Here are some links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl5slcDq1Ic&lc=c4tBUC9Pq3HqTRjhRGYPsxfkUYaRs7jEK8Gfrwnuo20&context=C3aa4aa6ADOEgsToPDskIaWYKh4FTUgchntt8UL7FG

The video above gives credibility to the video below (for the skeptics, like me, in the crowd). The video below is VERY good -- short, fast, easy, clear and simple steps.

And if you absolutely feel you want to "vent sex" your chicks, you can do that too. It isn't as easy, and it's yucky. If you have bantams this is how ---

And for picking eggs that statistically have more pullets, than roosters... (I like being able to count my chickens before they are hatched

)

http://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-farming/buying-fertilized-chicken-eggs-zmaz74zhol.aspx

 

[bestpractice]

Hope it works

It's fun to try and a lot of people say they get more males from pointy eggs, and more females from oval eggs. It sure doesn't hurt to have fun with this