sandyhas3chucks Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I am sure this is a stupid question... however are some breeds more likely to statistically hatch more boys than girls??? and conversely some that might be more girls than boys? I gather some are easier to hatch than others? (someone has offered to hatch for me!) AND dare I ask what do people do with the boys? are they snake food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 there isn't any breed that hatches more boys then girls or vice versa. the main benefit to an autosexing breed is that you know from hatch which are boys and which are girls; it's possible to cull the chicks at a day old rather than feeding them for 6/8/10 weeks before you work out the sex and cull the boys. You do have to go into it with your eyes open and be prepared for a hatch of 100% boys as it could happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 29, 2011 Author Share Posted December 29, 2011 thanks just thought i would check, someone who hatches other breeds said she hatched Marans I think it was out of 12 all but 1 were boys and the girl keeled over at 4 weeks. Just still researching my options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 Autosexing breeds are all well and good but the grim reality of culling male chicks that arent even dry is not to be underestimated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I know I couldn't dispatch a day old chick on the basis of gender (different story if it's deformed or something). I have taken the logic that any boys I hatch will have a good life, and if I can't find them a home by the time they crow they will be dinners. I had 5 boys last year that I couldn't rehome (2 did find wonderful homes), these 5 boys all made very tasty meals. It's not an easy thing to do, but at least they lived a happy life until they crowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 30, 2011 Author Share Posted December 30, 2011 Which ever is not so nice but I guess a grim reality if we want to keep hens... I have to say I like the idea of them having a lovely life first.. just cannot each chicken any more and all meat has sort of lost its appeal, let alone keep one and eat later, alkthough it is perfectly natural way of farming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 30, 2011 Share Posted December 30, 2011 I know I couldn't dispatch a day old chick on the basis of gender (different story if it's deformed or something). I have taken the logic that any boys I hatch will have a good life, and if I can't find them a home by the time they crow they will be dinners. I had 5 boys last year that I couldn't rehome (2 did find wonderful homes), these 5 boys all made very tasty meals. It's not an easy thing to do, but at least they lived a happy life until they crowed. thanks my way of thinking to at least if they end up on a plate their life wasn't a waste culling a day old doesn't sit right with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
