Why Straight Run?

[Deleted]

The breeds I'm mostly interested in are primarily known for their egg laying qualities, so the females cost more than straight run, and males considerably less.  Males cost so much less that I could get 60% females and 40% males, sexed for less than straight run, which is better than the ratio I could expect from straight run.  Why would anyone ever want straight run at such prices?

[bergere]

Maybe they eat all those they don't want? Or they don't do the math?

With the bantams,, that is the only option people have, if they want any of those.

Normally with my big laying hens, I will order just Pullets.

However, I wanted some nice Wheaten Ameraucana's and the only way to get them, was to hatch eggs out myself. Even more spendy than buying straight run chicks. Out of 14 eggs, 9 hatched.. one didn't make
it so I have 8 left. Cost me $95.00 for 12 eggs.. the breeder sent a couple of extra. So the chicks ended up costing $11.87 each....
But I hope by next year, I can sell some hatching eggs, to help off set the start up costs.

[Deleted]

Sure, makes sense when that's the only option for the breed you want, or if you're going for the hatchery choice special.

Math doesn't work out for eating all you don't want. You'd spend less on that number of egg layers and meat birds by specifically ordering them in the ratio you want.

And of course it makes sense for the hatchery, if they can get you to spend more on chicks and not have to pay an employee to sex them, they come out ahead.

[Melissa]

I have seen straight run for a dollar each. If it comes out to half-and-half, you often come out ahead or even and you have chicken to eat!

[Deleted]

What hatchery?

[Melissa]

At our local feed mill. I think they get them from Meyer Hatchery.

[Deleted]

Ok, varies a lot by hatchery and breed.

www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?prodID=WEHS
Males and females are both more expensive than straight run, so it would totally make sense to buy straight run of those if you're going to put most of them in the freezer and save a few breeders.

[Deleted]

General and meat chicks, straight run is usually cheaper, don't have to take the time to sex them.

Breeder and layer hatcheries sex for pullets, may have too many roosters, priced cheaper....James

[Deleted]

Hrm.. McMurray is more reasonable about straight run for meat birds, but it's still a couple pennies cheaper to buy a boy and a girl than two straight runs
www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/red_ranger_broiler.html
www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chefs_choice_red_broiler.html

Mt Healthy and Meyer don't offer sexed meat birds that I can see.

[Melissa]

I saw mixed roosters at Meyer for 30 cents each! Of course they don't grow as fast as the normal meat birds, but if you have a place to let them free-range, you could get some very cheap meat.

[Deleted]

Yeah, I wish they'd list the breeds in each special. You can get 200 birds for $60, or 100 birds for $65. There must be a reason for the difference?

[Deleted]

I'm just not keen on processing 200 birds at once. Maybe could space it out over a few weeks, get a range of fryer to broiler sizes?

I think at that number I'd fence them in and do pastured rather than true free range. They'll spread out more if they eat up all of the best bugs in the area. I don't want them spreading across the road.