Whether you’re shopping in store or online, the experience of picking out your first chicks is so exciting! Here are a few basic terms and phrases that will help you in this process.
What Is A Pullet?
A pullet is a young female chicken that has not yet begun to lay eggs. The term “pullet” is typically used to describe a chicken that is between the ages of 4 and 12 months, and has not yet reached sexual maturity. Once a pullet begins to lay eggs, it is considered a hen. Pullet is commonly used in the poultry industry and among backyard chicken keepers to differentiate between young female chickens and mature ones.
What Is A Straight Run Chick?
A straight run chick is a newly hatched chicken that has not been sorted or sexed. In a straight run, chicks of both genders are mixed together, and the buyer receives a random selection of male and female chicks. Straight run chicks are typically sold by breeders or hatcheries and are a common way to purchase a variety of chickens for a backyard flock.
It’s worth noting that straight run chicks can be more affordable than buying sexed chicks, but they come with the risk of ending up with unwanted roosters. If you want to keep chickens for egg-laying purposes and don’t want to deal with the noise and other issues associated with roosters, it’s best to purchase sexed chicks or pullets (young female chickens) instead.
What Is A Bantam Chicken?
A bantam chicken is a small breed of chicken, typically one-quarter to one-third the size of a standard chicken breed. Bantams can come in many different varieties and colors, and they are often kept as ornamental or exhibition birds due to their unique and attractive appearance. They are also kept as pets and for egg production, although their small size means that their eggs are smaller than those of standard chickens.
Bantam chickens are known for being active, friendly, and relatively easy to care for. They require less space than standard chickens, making them a popular choice for backyard chicken keeping. Because of their small size, they may be more vulnerable to predators than larger breeds, so it’s important to provide them with a secure and protected coop and run.