puffball Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I'm hatching chicks in the spring and managed to find a farm that sells the eggs. They offer quite a few breeds but apparently you can auto sex the following breeds: Amrock, Cream Legbar, Rhodebar and Welbar. I quite like the appearance of the Amrock but was wondering what the temperament, egg rate and size etc. is for these breeds and also if there are other breeds or varieties that can be auto sexed? Sorry to ask so many questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Have you thought about what you will do with the males? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 Well...I realise that not many people want the boys so I figured I'd offer them around before they became annoying (i would tell the people they were cockerels) but if no-one wanted them I suppose I'd have to suffocate them or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I would think very carefully about raising chicks from eggs. Take a look here for details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Well...I realise that not many people want the boys so I figured I'd offer them around before they became annoying (i would tell the people they were cockerels) but if no-one wanted them I suppose I'd have to suffocate them or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Why not raise any boys for the pot? Or maybe you could find a city farm or similar which could take them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Suffocating is NOT a humane way to cull chicks - I think you should read up on loads of hatching info before you consider it. I have hatched a lot of Cream Legbars this year - one lot was 3 boys and 1 girl (who died), and the most recent hatch was 8 boys and 5 girls - just to give you an idea of what to expect. I have also hatched Welbars - they are very pretty but a bit more 'nervy' than the Cream Legbars. As well as auto-sexing breeds there are sex-linked breeds which can be sexed at hatch, such as Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex (same as the Gingernuts from omlet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 My friend said that she suffocated all her cocks...I'll have to tell her she was wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 Thanks for the advice on the breeds. I researched some last year but I guess I forgot some... I quite liked the Amrock on the looks basis and cream legbars are also quite pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 25, 2007 Author Share Posted November 25, 2007 B.T.W. >If suffocating is inhumane then what is? I don't really like the idea of breaking their neck or anything like that... The problem is all of our fellow chicken owner friends have suggested ways but they all sound gross to me...any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Perhaps you should ask on the practical poultry forum for advice?? The members on here tend to raise their chickens as pets. Details are here www.practicalpoultry.co.uk There are loads of people who could give you more advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 You might be better off asking on the Practical Poultry forum. They are bound to have someone who will be able to answer your question. They have a whole section on hatching and there is a thread dealing with this very subject. I won't post a link in case it upsets any one. Why not read Lesley's article about hatching...here... before you embark upon your hatching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Sounds like you need to do some reasarch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 How about just buying some day old chicks that have been sex-linked? That way you don't have to worry about boys. I also have a folder about chick rearing as we were originally going to do this, but just ended up with growers in the end. PM me if you'd like it! Cream Legbars are really lovely, and my Molly is so sweet, (she also quacks too!!! ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 I personally think that culling day olds is more responsible than raising and trying to rehome ...and failing, it isn't technically hard to 'get right' with a tiny chick. I know there are alot of people on here that still hatch chicks even though they wouldn't dream of killing the boys and sorry, but there are only so many city farms that will take cockerals and continue to do so. Realistically that is just how it works with poultry (any other 'pet' can be kept as such be it male of female, that be the difference!) -had this discussion with a family my parents know yesterday who at one point had 4 cockerals and only 2 hens left! They were saying how awful it was that "Ooops, word censored!"ody wanted to rehome the boys and subsequently the two hens were basically mated to death (ie spent all their time running away and not eating..and worse). Being vegetarian they wouldn't dispatch them ....so the welfare of all the animals suffered! Makes sense....not. Grrr, bugbear of mine. I am considering hatching some legbars next yr if one of my hens goes broody. I would incubate them, but as I'm having a baby in May I would far rather not have a brooder in the house (I raised 2 girls last yr from a week old and my lord do that make alot of dander and dust!). Alternatively trying to persuede my dd's childminder to put some under one of her many hens as she is quite used to dispatching Maddy ( and yes my hens are pets, but if I had space I'd happily raise them for the table but I still like this forum if that is ok) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Of course it is OK to stay Maddie - I think previous posters are just pointing out that hatching is something which must be researched properly and not just rushed into. There are a few of us who have hatched eggs and some people are quite expert at it - Fee in particular - and have good advice to offer, but this forum is mostly concerned with hens as productive pets and there is not the depth of advice which any prospective hatchers would find on Practical Poultry or other similar boards. I'm still here - and I can't pretend I have just a couple of hens in the garden anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Of course it is OK to stay Maddie - I think previous posters are just pointing out that hatching is something which must be researched properly and not just rushed into. There are a few of us who have hatched eggs and some people are quite expert at it - Fee in particular - and have good advice to offer, but this forum is mostly concerned with hens as productive pets and there is not the depth of advice which any prospective hatchers would find on Practical Poultry or other similar boards. I'm still here - and I can't pretend I have just a couple of hens in the garden anymore LOL Lesley, I only added that as I felt it came across a bit like go off to another forum as you will offend more sensitive souls on here' , I know is good (but it can be a little bit tooooo serious ) I just wouldn't like people to not ask questions on here if this is where they feel comfortable iykwim? I'm not saying that technical info should be shared on here, but I think people shouldn't be in denial of the fact that when you buy a POL chook, it may well be your pet, but generally at the expense of its brothers I'll be back with questions I am sure (hmm, might depend on me finding me someone to build me a lovely perm run tho *daydream*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 You say that hatching shouldn't be rushed into but we had a broody and barely knew anything but we still got the eggs. We figured that as long as you know the basics (what food to feed them, different run etc.) you could leave the hen to her business. Just wanted to point out that someone else brought up the subject of getting rid of the boys and (without wishing to offend those of you telling me to research) I was in fact only asking about which breed is best. In spite of that thanks for all of the messages about hatching information and I will be doing more research over the winter. Hope everyone is okay with this message and I haven't upset anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm sure no one is upset Puffball! The reason 'boys' were mentioned was due to the number of cockerels that were offered on here a while back. Some people don't think of the end result when hatching fertile eggs. All the best with your new 'flock' in the Spring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Phew! *sighs with relief* I was planning on offering the cockerels on here first and then by posters around the village and asking my friend if she wants them. It's sad that they fight really because otherwise we could keep them. My friend keeps owls so she could probably use them for food...okay I'm beggining to gross myself out Thanks I will keep you posted on it (not that you have to read it...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I was planning on offering the cockerels on here first That was the problem last time Puffball, so a decision was reached by the mod team to not allow cockerel posts on the forum. see here Wish you all the best though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I'm sure I will upset a few people here but just wanted to say that we hatched chicks in September and were expecting to keep 1 or 2 and have lots of roast chicken dinners. (Male to female ratio) this weekend we had a really good look at them all and out of 13 we think at the moment we have only 4 roast dinners and 9 egg laying machines! Its a good job we like eggs! we have a mis of chicks so may be able to advise better of taste of eaters later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 While I am wincing a bit as I read this topic, I do admire those of you who are brave enough to hatch and deal with the consequences. It is a realistic attitude - it's easy to forget that for every charming garden chicken that we nurture and care for, there was a brother (or several, on Fee's average!) that was dispatched one way or another. I guess like most of us on here, I prefer not to think about it - and the numbers of people on this forum who do this, and who could offer practical advice are very low - but it's a fact of life. Thank you for a timely reminder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 While I am wincing a bit as I read this topic, I do admire those of you who are brave enough to hatch and deal with the consequences. It is a realistic attitude - it's easy to forget that for every charming garden chicken that we nurture and care for, there was a brother (or several, on Fee's average!) that was dispatched one way or another. I guess like most of us on here, I prefer not to think about it - and the numbers of people on this forum who do this, and who could offer practical advice are very low - but it's a fact of life. Thank you for a timely reminder! joining this forum has been an education to me and I've learnt such a lot in a short time (I'm one of those who used to think you needed a cock for your hens to actually lay eggs) Also, I didn't think about/was aware (although I should have been, dur!) what happens to the boys but again, if it's got to be done- humane as possible MUST be the way to go. I did cringe when I read the words "...suffocate them or something" Raising them for food does seem a good idea to me (I've had coq au vin in France and it was lovely, quite gamey and delicious) but like other people have said, pratical poultry maybe a better resource for this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted November 27, 2007 Share Posted November 27, 2007 just catching up,on this thread - Lesley, thank you , I don't think I'm so much of an expert as maybe a bit over-enthusiastic when I put my mind to something. I've been thrilled by all my hatching experiences this year but it's been a very steep learning curve. I've been very fortunate to have 2 people who've taken all my boys, to let them free-range in the fields and hills until their time comes, and I'm very grateful. Hopefully, one day (soon!) I'll be able to grow on and deal with the boys myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
