Are you thinking about starting your own backyard flock but feeling confused about all the chicken terminology? One term that often trips up beginners is “unsexed chicken” – also commonly called “straight run.” If you’re scratching your head wondering what this means, you’re in the right place!
As someone who’s been raising chickens for years now, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with both sexed and unsexed birds. Today, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about unsexed chickens in simple terms that won’t leave you feeling like you need a poultry dictionary by your side.
What Exactly Is An Unsexed Chicken?
An unsexed chicken (also called “straight run”) is simply a chick whose gender hasn’t been determined. When you purchase straight run chicks, you’re essentially getting a mixed bag – you won’t know which ones are male and which ones are female until they grow older and start showing their gender-specific characteristics.
In the poultry industry, straight run chicks typically come in a roughly 50/50 male-to-female ratio, though this isn’t an exact science. Sometimes you might get lucky and end up with more females, while other times you might find yourself with a flock dominated by roosters!
Chicken Terminology 101
Before we dive deeper let’s clarify some basic chicken terminology that will help you understand the different stages and classifications of chickens
- Chick: A newly hatched chicken (regardless of gender)
- Pullet: A young female chicken under 1 year old
- Cockerel: A young male chicken under 1 year old
- Hen: A female chicken older than 1 year old
- Rooster: A male chicken older than 1 year old
- Sexed: Chicks that have been identified as either male or female
- Straight Run: A random mix of unsexed chicks with both males and females
Why Is It Hard To Determine A Chick’s Gender?
Unlike adult chickens where gender differences are quite obvious (roosters have larger combs, wattles, and those distinctive tail feathers), day-old chicks look remarkably similar regardless of sex. This makes gender identification in young chicks challenging, even for experts.
Professional hatcheries use several methods to sex chicks:
- Vent Sexing: Examining the vent (cloaca) of day-old chicks
- Wing Sexing: Looking at the development of wing feathers
- Color Sexing: Using color patterns in auto-sexing breeds where males and females have different down colors
These methods require significant expertise and are time-consuming, which is why hatcheries also offer the simpler option of straight run chicks at a lower price.
Pros of Getting Unsexed Chickens
There are several advantages to purchasing straight run chickens:
1. More Cost-Effective
One of the biggest perks of getting unsexed chicks is the price tag. Straight run chicks are typically cheaper than sexed pullets. This makes them an economical choice, especially if you’re just starting out or expanding your flock.
2. Ethical Considerations
Many people choose straight run chicks due to ethical concerns about the fate of male chicks in the commercial poultry industry. When people exclusively purchase sexed female chicks, the responsibility of culling male chicks falls to the hatcheries. By taking straight run chicks, you’re accepting both males and females, giving them all a chance at life.
3. Self-Sufficiency Opportunities
If you’re looking to become more self-sufficient, straight run chickens provide a complete package. You’ll get hens for egg production AND roosters that can either:
- Protect your flock
- Be raised for meat
- Fertilize eggs if you want to hatch your own chicks in the future
4. Availability of Rare Breeds
Some rare or bantam chicken breeds are only available as straight run from hatcheries. If you’re interested in heritage or uncommon breeds, you might not have the option of purchasing sexed chicks.
Cons of Getting Unsexed Chickens
Of course, there are also some challenges to consider:
1. The Rooster Dilemma
The biggest issue with straight run chicks is ending up with too many roosters. Most backyard flocks only need one rooster (or none if you don’t want fertilized eggs), but with straight run chicks, you could potentially end up with several males.
This creates a few problems:
- Noise concerns: Roosters crow, which can be an issue in urban or suburban areas
- Aggression: Multiple roosters often fight with each other
- Local regulations: Many cities and neighborhoods prohibit roosters entirely
- Rehoming challenges: Finding new homes for extra roosters can be very difficult, as most people only want hens
2. Unpredictability
When you buy straight run chicks, you’re taking a gamble. While the theoretical ratio is 50/50, there’s no guarantee. Some backyard chicken keepers have reported getting batches of straight run chicks that were predominantly male.
3. Feed and Space Considerations
If you end up with more chickens than you intended to keep (because you were hoping for mostly females), you’ll need to provide additional space, feed, and resources until you determine what to do with the extra roosters.
What To Consider Before Getting Straight Run Chicks
Before rushing to purchase unsexed chicks, ask yourself these important questions:
Do Local Regulations Allow Roosters?
Many urban and suburban areas have restrictions on keeping roosters due to noise concerns. Check your local ordinances before bringing home straight run chicks.
Have You Talked To Your Neighbors?
Even if roosters are legally allowed in your area, it’s considerate to discuss your plans with neighbors who might be affected by early morning crowing.
Do You Have Enough Space?
Roosters require additional space, especially if you have multiple males. They can become territorial and aggressive toward each other in confined spaces.
What’s Your Plan For Unwanted Roosters?
This is perhaps the most important consideration. Before getting straight run chicks, have a clear plan for what you’ll do with any excess roosters. Options include:
- Rehoming them (though this can be challenging)
- Processing them for meat
- Having separate housing for males
Where To Buy Chickens: Your Options
When purchasing chickens, you generally have these options from hatcheries:
- Sexed female chicks or pullets: The most popular choice for egg production
- Sexed male chicks or cockerels: Often cheaper but less in demand
- Straight run chicks: Unsexed mix of males and females
- Hatching eggs: For those who want to experience the hatching process
Is Straight Run Right For You?
Straight run chickens might be right for you if:
- You’re on a budget and looking for the most economical option
- You have plans or facilities to accommodate roosters
- You’re interested in a self-sufficient homesteading approach
- You’re looking for rare breeds that might only be available unsexed
- You have ethical concerns about the culling of male chicks
Sexed chicks might be better if:
- You live in an area where roosters are prohibited
- You have limited space
- You only want egg-laying hens
- You’re willing to pay more for the certainty of females
Real Experiences From Chicken Keepers
One thing I’ve noticed from talking to other chicken owners is that experiences with straight run chicks can vary widely. Some people get lucky with a mostly female batch, while others end up with the infamous “straight run pullets” that turn out to be nearly all roosters!
One common complaint I’ve heard from fellow chicken keepers is that feed stores sometimes mislabel their chicks. I’ve even seen bins labeled “Straight Run Pullets” – which is a contradiction in terms! This happens because many store employees aren’t properly trained in poultry terminology.
Final Thoughts
Unsexed chickens (straight run) offer both opportunities and challenges for backyard chicken keepers. They’re more affordable and provide a chance to embrace the natural balance of both male and female birds, but they also require more planning and preparedness for dealing with roosters.
Whatever you decide, make sure you have a plan in place before those adorable fluffy chicks grow into potentially loud, crow-happy roosters! With the right preparation and knowledge, raising straight run chickens can be a rewarding experience that connects you more deeply to the full cycle of poultry raising.
Have you had experience with straight run chicks? I’d love to hear about your adventures in the comments below!
Remember, while straight run chicks might save you money upfront, always consider the long-term implications of potentially having multiple roosters in your flock. Happy chicken keeping!
I Want to Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat
Ordering straight run-day old chicks will allow you to have enough of both sexes.
Male chickens get larger and meatier than hens, making raising roosters a better choice in this case. And with no hens to fight over, they should get along just fine growing up together in their all-male flock.
As they grow, you can cull the extra boys one at a time for your own consumption. If there are any extra roosters showing really aggressive behavior, they’re the ones to get rid of next.
Consider keeping a rooster to be with your hens as a flock protector. Keeping too many roosters can lead to big problems.
The usual ratio is to keep one rooster for every 10-12 hens.
With the exception of broilers (which are specifically bred to raise for meat), male chicks are generally the least expensive to buy, and therefore, may save you money.
Where can I Buy Straight Run Chickens?
There are several places you can buy day old chicks (there may be a minimum order quantity):
- available for pre-order online (see links above for hatcheries). You can find out future hatch dates (3 weeks from ordering). Local pickup location may be your post office.
- at your local livestock auction (often a minimum quantity)
- find someone advertising on farm store bulletin boards or ask the store owner if they know of any chick enthusiasts selling day old birds.
- some limited online advertising forums for chicken lovers
How we got unsexed Winter – Spring Chicks
FAQ
What is an unsexed chicken?
To put it simply, an unsexed chicken refers to a young chicken whose gender has not been determined or identified. These chicks are often sold as “straight run” or “mixed” and can be a popular choice for poultry enthusiasts. Let’s delve deeper into the concept of unsexed chickens and answer some frequently asked questions. Do you like this article?
Why are chickens sold as unsexed?
Chickens are often sold as unsexed because accurately determining their gender can be difficult, especially in certain breeds or at a young age. Additionally, unsexed chicks are often less expensive compared to sexed chicks. 4. What are the advantages of raising unsexed chickens?
What are straight run chickens?
Straight run: Newly hatched chicks that have not been sexed; also called ‘unsexed’ or ‘as hatched’. Straight run chickens are a random distribution of chicks. They are sold ‘as hatched’ without determining their gender.
Are unsexed chickens a good choice?
Unsexed chickens can be a cost-effective option when starting a flock since they are often cheaper than sexed chicks. Additionally, they give you the opportunity to experience the surprise of discovering the gender of your chickens as they grow. 5. What are the disadvantages of raising unsexed chickens?
How is the sex of a chicken determined?
In the poultry industry, chicks are sexed at hatch to determine whether they are male or female. Expert chicken sexers are employed to make this determination by giving each chick a squeeze and looking at its insides.
How are unsexed chickens raised?
Unsexed chickens are typically reared in large flocks by hatcheries that specialize in this type of poultry. These hatcheries produce unsexed chicks in bulk and are able to maintain a healthy and safe environment for the chicks. The chicks are usually raised in a controlled environment with access to quality feed and water.
What does it mean when a chicken is unsexed?
An “unsexed chicken,” also known as a “straight run“ chick, is a baby chicken that has not been sexed by gender and is sold as a mixture of males (cockerels) and females (pullets) as they naturally hatch. When purchasing unsexed chicks, you receive an unpredictable assortment, often close to a 50/50 ratio, but without any guarantees on how many hens or roosters you will get.
What does it mean if chickens are sexed?
A sexed chicken is a chicken whose sex (male or female) has been determined, typically by a trained professional at a commercial hatchery. This is done either by vent sexing (a difficult manual process checking for internal reproductive organs), or by using color sexing (crossing specific breeds so that gender is indicated by different down color at hatching). The term “sexed chicks” refers to chicks that have been sorted into males and females, with females (pullets) being in high demand for egg production.
Are chickens unisex?
Yes, chickens have both male and female sexes, referred to as roosters (male) and hens (female). These genders can be distinguished as they grow by observing their physical characteristics, which become more prominent around 4-6 months of age. Key indicators of a male chicken include large combs and wattles, long and pointed hackle feathers (on the neck), and long, sickle-shaped tail feathers. Females, or hens, have smaller combs and wattles, and their feathers are generally shorter, rounder, and more uniform.
Why do we not eat male chickens?
We primarily eat female chickens (hens) and castrated males (capons) because the male chicks from egg-laying breeds are economically inefficient for meat production, as they are slower-growing and yield less meat than dedicated broiler breeds. While roosters can be eaten, their meat is often tough and stringy, particularly if they are older, though they can be good for slow-cooked dishes like soup.