Unsexed chickens, also known as straight-run chickens, are becoming an increasingly popular option for small-scale poultry owners. But what exactly are unsexed chickens, and what are the pros and cons of raising them? This complete guide will explain everything you need to know about unsexed chickens.
What Are Unsexed Chickens?
Unsexed chickens are chicks that have not been sexed meaning their gender has not been determined. Most hatcheries and breeders sell chicks that have been separated into pullets (females) and cockerels (males). However unsexed chicks are sold without having been sexed, so you don’t know how many males or females you will get.
When you purchase unsexed chicks, you will typically receive a random mix of males and females. Many hatcheries advertise a 50/50 ratio, but this can vary. You may end up with all females, all males, or any combination in between. This is part of the fun and surprise of raising unsexed chickens!
Why Choose Unsexed Chickens?
There are several reasons why small flock owners may choose to purchase unsexed chicks:
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Cost savings – Unsexed chicks are usually cheaper to purchase than sexed chicks since the hatchery doesn’t have to invest time and labor into separating them by gender. This makes them a budget-friendly option.
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Genetic diversity – With an unsexed flock, you will end up with more roosters that can provide genetic diversity if you hatch your own eggs later on.
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Avoid chick culling – Sadly, most male chicks born in commercial hatcheries are killed shortly after hatching because they are considered useless. Buying unsexed chickens means you aren’t directly supporting this practice.
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Meat production – Extra roosters from an unsexed flock can be raised for meat. This allows you to be more self-sufficient.
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Fun surprise – There’s something exciting about not knowing how many roosters or hens you’ll end up with when raising unsexed chicks. It’s a fun surprise to discover their gender as they grow.
Potential Drawbacks of Unsexed Chickens
While unsexed chickens provide some advantages, there are also a few potential drawbacks to consider:
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Unwanted roosters – Since you don’t choose the gender ratio, you may end up with more roosters than you want or can handle. Extra roosters will need to be rehomed, sold, or culled.
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Increased aggression – Too many roosters in one flock can lead to increased aggression and fighting as they compete for dominance.
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No egg production guarantees – With an uncertain number of hens, there is no guarantee of how many eggs you will get. All males means no eggs at all.
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Regulation challenges – Some urban areas prohibit roosters due to noise complaints. Make sure roosters are allowed before getting unsexed chicks.
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Broodiness issues – A lack of roosters may make it harder for hens to go broody if you wish to hatch chicks naturally.
When are Chickens Sexed?
Chicks cannot be accurately sexed the day they hatch. While there are a few breeds that can be “auto-sexed” based on feather color, most require sexing at a later stage. Here is when chickens are typically sexed:
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1-2 days old – Skilled professionals can sex some breeds at this age through vent sexing. This involves carefully examining the tiny genitalia.
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4-6 weeks old – Feather sexing can begin at this stage for breeds where males and females develop different feather patterns.
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10-12 weeks old – Behavioral differences become more apparent by this age. Males tend to act more bold, territorial, and upright compared to females.
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16+ weeks old – Secondary sex characteristics like comb growth, crowing, and saddle feather development allow accurate gender identification.
As you can see, accurately determining the sex of chicks takes time and practice. This is why many hatcheries sell unsexed chicks – it saves them time and labor costs.
What is the Male to Female Ratio in Unsexed Chicks?
On average, unsexed chicks tend to contain close to a 50/50 ratio of males to females. However, natural variation means that the ratio can be skewed in either direction. Some batches may be predominantly male, while others end up mostly female.
According to industry estimates, the male to female ratio in unsexed chicks averages around:
- 50% male, 50% female
- 45% male, 55% female
- 55% male, 45% female
While you can never know for certain, statistically you are likely to end up with a fairly even mix of both genders. But keep in mind that all males or all females is still a possibility!
Can You Tell What Gender They Are at Purchase?
When purchasing newly hatched unsexed chicks, there is no reliable way to determine their gender on-site. While vent sexing by a professional can sex day-old chicks, this is not something that hatcheries and farm stores offer.
To the naked eye, newly hatched chicks all look identical regardless of gender. Here are some things that won’t allow you to tell their sex at purchase:
- Size of the chick
- Fluffiness of feathers
- Activity level
- Vocalizations
- Eye color
Essentially, it is impossible for the average person to accurately sex a day-old chick without professional training and experience. You will have to wait until the chicks are older before their gender becomes apparent.
What is the Best Use for Unsexed Chicks?
Here are some of the best uses for unsexed chicks:
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Meat production – The uncertain gender ratio makes unsexed chicks a great choice if you plan to raise chickens for meat. Both hens and roosters can be used.
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Adding to existing flock – Introducing unsexed chicks to an established flock is a way to increase flock size without risking overcrowding issues from too many females.
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Hatching fertilized eggs – Having roosters in your unsexed flock makes it easy to hatch out fertilized eggs.
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4H/FFA projects – Unsexed chicks allow kids to experience the surprise and reward of determining gender as their project birds grow.
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Starting a new flock – Purchasing a batch of unsexed chicks is a lower-cost way for beginners to start a basic egg-producing flock.
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Heritage breed conservation – Rare and endangered poultry breeds are often only available unsexed.
What Challenges Can You Expect with Unsexed Chicks?
Raising unsexed chickens comes with a unique set of challenges to prepare for:
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Increased noise – Roosters start crowing from a young age, which may frustrate neighbors.
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Aggression issues – Having multiple roosters risks aggressive fighting that requires careful management.
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Broodiness problems – A lack of roosters may make it hard for hens to go broody and hatch eggs naturally.
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Lower egg production – With fewer hens, you’ll get less total eggs compared to an all-female flock.
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Culling/rehoming – Extra roosters will eventually need to be culled, sold, or rehomed in a responsible manner.
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Housing considerations – Separate housing or pens may be needed to safely keep multiple roosters.
With some careful planning, these challenges can be addressed. The excitement of unsexed chickens outweighs the extra management required in most cases.
How Many Unsexed Chicks Should You Get?
When deciding on flock numbers, a good rule of thumb is to purchase 3-4 unsexed chicks for each mature hen you wish to end up with. This accounts for the fact that:
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On average, 50% of unsexed chicks will be male.
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Some chicks may not survive to maturity. A 10% mortality rate is not uncommon.
Here are some examples:
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If you want 5 laying hens, purchase 18-20 unsexed chicks.
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For a flock of 10 hens, get 30-40 unsexed chicks.
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To end up with 15 hens, buy 45-60 unsexed chicks.
Adjust your numbers based on your risk tolerance. Getting extra gives a buffer for mortality losses. Keep in mind you may need to cull or rehome excess roosters later.
What is the Cost of Unsexed Chicks vs Sexed Chicks?
One of the main advantages of unsexed chicks is their lower cost compared to sexed female chicks. Here are some typical costs:
- Unsexed chicks: $2 – $4 per chick
- Sexed pullets: $4 – $6 per chick
- Sexed cockerels: $2 – $4 per chick
Of course, pricing varies greatly based on breed, hatchery, and other factors. But in most cases, unsexed chicks are the most economical option. Their pricing is similar to sexed cockerels.
Buying unsexed can allow you to get double the number of chicks for an equivalent price as sexed females. This makes them ideal for budget-minded chicken keepers.
Are Unsexed Chickens Worth It?
At the end of the day, unsexed chickens offer a unique experience that many chicken enthusiasts find enjoyable and rewarding. The element of surprise and ability to raise a flock from day one adds to the appeal.
However, unsexed chicks do require some additional considerations in terms of space requirements, regulations, and disposition of unwanted roosters. It also takes longer to build up a robust egg-laying flock.
For the right person who enjoys a challenge, values self-sufficiency, and wants diversity in their backyard flock, unsexed chickens are absolutely worth it. They offer an accessible starting point for many new poultry keepers too.
As long as you go into the experience with clear plans for housing extra roosters and understand that egg production will be delayed, unsexed chicks can be a fun and cost-effective way to start or expand your flock!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you manage unwanted roosters?
Extra roosters from unsexed chicks can be advertised for sale or adopt, processed humanely for meat, or rehomed at farms or sanctuaries able to take them.
Can you keep multiple roosters together?
While not ideal, keeping 2-3 roosters can work with plenty of space, hiding areas, and careful observation. 4+ roosters will likely fight and require separation.
Do unsexed chicks need special care?
No, unsexed chicks are raised the exact same way you would care for sexed chicks. Provide proper heat, food, water, and housing.
How can you increase the odds of getting more hens?
There is no way to influence the ratio of unsexed chicks. Your best bet is to buy more chicks to get more total hens in the end.
When will you be able to tell their gender?
Look for gender differences to emerge around 4-6 weeks old as feathers develop. By 10-12 weeks, behaviors will clearly point to their sex.
I Want to Raise Chickens for my Own Meat
If you only want birds for meat you will ONLY want to order cockerel chicks (roosters).
And with male day old chicks often being the least expensive of all, you may actually save a little money ordering this way. Learn more about raising roosters in this next part.
You may want to look at chickens bred for weight gain, such as Cornish Cross. The time frame to grow out a rooster is between 6 -8 weeks for a proper finishing age. At this time, roosters will clearly have wattles and the male bird’s combs are a good size.
I Want to Raise Chickens Just for my Own Eggs
If you are wanting chickens so you can gather fresh eggs, then you will ONLY want to order pullet chicks or hens.
Your pullets will grow into egg layers at roughly 16-20 weeks old. Once they reach egg-laying age, they will give you eggs for roughly 3 years. They take a break every year (wouldn’t you?) and they won’t lay as often at 3 years old.