i have some very bad news

[Eyren]

Sorry to hear that, Are there any statistics about boys and girls? Humans are 50/50 ish I think but chickens are they 60/40 or something?

I think I read somewhere that female chicken embryos are more vulnerable to incubation problems than the male ones and thus more likely not to hatch. It's the opposite to humans, where male embryos are more fragile. Maybe a coincidence, but in birds it's the female that has two different sex chromosomes (WZ) whereas the male has two the same (WW). Anyways, it's not uncommon to end up with more male chicks than female ones

[frias]

That definitely settles it. No egg hatching for me.

[lynda66]

Has he got a quiff?

yup well it's growing ....

Oh dear Lynda

Strange how they've started crowing at different times though

yeah, but they are still only 9 1/2 weeks, so still early, and buttercup hasn't started yet..... but quite handy, cos at least i know while they still young.

I think I read somewhere that female chicken embryos are more vulnerable to incubation problems than the male ones and thus more likely not to hatch. It's the opposite to humans, where male embryos are more fragile. Maybe a coincidence, but in birds it's the female that has two different sex chromosomes (WZ) whereas the male has two the same (WW). Anyways, it's not uncommon to end up with more male chicks than female ones

guess i'm lucky to get away with 3 of each then.

That definitely settles it. No egg hatching for me.

think i'll still do some meat chooks, but they will all look the same, and maybe sex linked to make it easier ....... and be brought up outside, with no names, and hopefully under a broody chook rather than the incubator in the house, so i don't get attached to them, well maybe just one girl

[Snadger]

That definitely settles it. No egg hatching for me.

Oh, I dunno, I'm quite partial to a chicken dinner!

[frias]

Oh, I dunno, I'm quite partial to a chicken dinner!

So am I but I'm also a wimp.

[CoraxAurata]

Oh dear Lynda

Strange how they've started crowing at different times though

That could be the different breed maturing at slightly different rates maybe?

[lynda66]

that could also be right, the 2 maran types ie cuckoo and copper black (both probably crossed with something but mummies were marans) have started, but buttercup hasn't

the girls however are still tweeting, with only the very occasional accidental grown up noise if something scares them or they get excited

[HayleyB]

What a bum eh

[lynda66]

yup, i'm very miffed, but they will all be beautiful cockerels ....... just wish i could keep em

[lynda66]

well buttercup has just crowed in response to someone knocking at the door ..... i think he's a guard cockerel ........ so that's definitely 3 boys ......... fingers crossed now for the other 3 ....... i'm certain they are girls though

[Nicos]

50:50....I suppose it's what you'd expect according to the law of averages

I love the look of my chocolate one ( if it's a girl....twill be called 'chocolat' sed in zee most sexy French accent!!!)...bound to be a boy- esp after hearing that boys tend to hold themselves more upright!

[Snadger]

well buttercup has just crowed in response to someone knocking at the door ..... i think he's a guard cockerel ........

Lol!

So the cockerel crows to warn buglars off............ and if they take no notice and enter the premises the bunny from hell attacks them!

[lynda66]

yup, and if that doesn't scare em off, then the dog helps the burglars carry the stuff out and goes for a ride with them in the car