Upon receiving your first batch of chicks, you may be confused due to the excitement of ordering them. You may have unintentionally purchased straight-run chickens instead of all-female chickens if your layers start crowing a few months later.
Keep the roosters around as protection for your backyard flock if you are able to continue raising them. Or you can retire them to the freezer camp. Let's clarify what straight-run chicken actually is before placing your next order.
This article will equip you with more information before ordering your next batch of straight-run chicks.
Straight-run chickens can be of any breed since the term only refers to the gender of the chicks in the clutch, not the breed. Straight-run chickens come from hatches that are not sexed and can be either females or males. A full-grown chicken's sex is very clear by that point, so the term straight run probably won't be used when referring to them.
A long period of time will be spent keeping the hens for egg production. In light of that, it may not be as beneficial to order straight-run broilers if you want eggs, since both sexes should be processed.
Furthermore, broiler hens do not lay well. Thus, straight-run broilers should only be ordered if they are all to be butchered. It's important to remember, however, that girls grow slower than roosters. Male broilers are more expensive than female broilers and straight-run broilers due to the high demand for meatier roosters.
Moreover, there are some hatcheries that sell straight runs only in big quantities. It should be noted that there are numerous hatchery options available online. You should mostly be able to find what you are looking for at some point throughout the year.
It's possible to get one or two chicks that are incorrectly sexed in a bunch even if you order all females or all males. In this case, consider donating or raising the chick up to butchering weight to help someone in need. There's always someone who will take your chicken off of your hands, and no chicken is useless.
Further Reading:
Keep the roosters around as protection for your backyard flock if you are able to continue raising them. Or you can retire them to the freezer camp. Let's clarify what straight-run chicken actually is before placing your next order.
This article will equip you with more information before ordering your next batch of straight-run chicks.
What are Straight Run Chickens?
Straight-run chickens can be of any breed since the term only refers to the gender of the chicks in the clutch, not the breed. Straight-run chickens come from hatches that are not sexed and can be either females or males. A full-grown chicken's sex is very clear by that point, so the term straight run probably won't be used when referring to them.
The advantages of ordering straight-run chicks
Cost
Straight-run chicks are less expensive, which is probably their biggest perk. It is challenging, time-consuming & generally requires someone to be paid to sex chicks. In addition, straight-runs are less expensive since you are taking a bit of risk by purchasing them without knowing what you will receive.Variety
As your chickens mature, you'll see a healthy mix of females & males. A rooster protects the hens, fertilizes eggs, and is fun to watch (they're often very colorful).Eggs & Meat
If you want to collect eggs from the hens & butcher your own chickens, ordering straight-run is a better option. Many producers purchase roosters regularly with the intention to process them at maturity because roosters are larger than hens.A long period of time will be spent keeping the hens for egg production. In light of that, it may not be as beneficial to order straight-run broilers if you want eggs, since both sexes should be processed.
Furthermore, broiler hens do not lay well. Thus, straight-run broilers should only be ordered if they are all to be butchered. It's important to remember, however, that girls grow slower than roosters. Male broilers are more expensive than female broilers and straight-run broilers due to the high demand for meatier roosters.
Incubation Options
You'll get a variety of males and females if you order a batch of chicks & raise your own chickens every year. Generally the ratio of hens to roosters is 1:1. As you are aware, you will need a rooster & a hen in order to produce more baby chicks. Incubating hatching chicks yourself or allowing your hen to hatch them herself is an option once you have fertilized eggs.The disadvantages of ordering straight-run chicks
There are no guarantees
You cannot guarantee that you will receive a certain number of males and females when you order straight-run chicks. Straight-run might be your best option if you plan on butchering the roosters or keeping one for egg fertilization. If you know how many of each sex you want, you will need to order more from each category.Roosters
When roosters reach maturity, getting rid of those you don't want can be problematic. Particularly if your town does not allow roosters. A rooster may be noisy, aggressive, or even fight with another rooster if there are not enough hens for each to claim. Consequently, if you do not have a plan for your roosters, it is recommended that you order only females rather than have excess roosters.How To Order the Right Chicken Sex?
Online
Usually, when you order from an online hatchery or breeder, you know what sex you're getting. On most breed pages, you can choose the quantity, sex, and straight run. When ordering small or rare breeds, be aware that they are sometimes only available in straight runs.Moreover, there are some hatcheries that sell straight runs only in big quantities. It should be noted that there are numerous hatchery options available online. You should mostly be able to find what you are looking for at some point throughout the year.
Feed & Supply Stores
Make sure the preferences are clearly outlined before placing your order, regardless of whether you're ordering from a catalog or calling the hatchery. Make sure you get the right sexes by asking the hatchery to repeat the order back to you.Conclusion
In the world of poultry, it is difficult to be 100% accurate when it comes to sexing chicks (especially if they are not sex-linked). If you buy straight run chickens you'll most likely get half males and half females.It's possible to get one or two chicks that are incorrectly sexed in a bunch even if you order all females or all males. In this case, consider donating or raising the chick up to butchering weight to help someone in need. There's always someone who will take your chicken off of your hands, and no chicken is useless.
Further Reading:
