With sex-linked chicks, how does a straight run process work?
When ordering a straight run of Red Stars or Black Stars, we do our best to send 50/50 (males/females).
will they lay every day?
Laying ability can vary greatly depending on nutrition, hydration, stress, environment, hours of light per day, etc. Under ideal conditions the average is 280-365 eggs a year.
Are you NPIP certified?
Yes we sure are!
Is a pure breed or a cross bread?
The Red Star is a hybrid, or cross breed. The Red Stars are Sex-Link chickens which means at time of hatch the chicks can be sexed by their color. They will not retain these same characteristics in future generations.
What breeds make a Red Star? Is it a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Delaware hen?
The Red Stars are a commercially bred strain of chicken developed over several generations. It is not two specific breeds that are used to create the Red Star.
Do Red Star hens become broody, or do you have to incubate the eggs? Also what is the liveability meat conversion for the roosters?
The Red Star is a production breed. They normally will not set on their own eggs, but also are not recommended for reproduction because they are hybrid and the chicks will not have the same characteristics as the parents.
We don't have an exact meat conversion for the roosters, but they do get fairly large and make a good meat bird in about 4-5 months.
Which is best layer, the Red Star or the Black Star? Do either peck or eat their eggs?
The Red Star is our best brown egg layer. There isn't a particular breed that is know for pecking or eating their eggs, any type could.
How many pounds will the red star weigh ?
Red Star males average 8 lbs., and Red Star females average 6 lbs. at maturity.
Do you need a rooster for the hens to lay eggs?
No, hens do not need a rooster in order to lay eggs. However, eggs laid without a rooster will be unfertilized.
Is the Red Star the same as the Cinnamon Queen or Golden Comet?
Each hatchery comes up with its own name for their hybrid. We named our sex-link hybrids Red Stars and Black Stars. Other hatcheries may use Cinnamon Queens, ISA Browns, Golden Comet, Cherry Pickers, or other names for their hybrids.
Different hatchery hybrids may not be crossed with the same breeds, but they are all produced for their excellent egg production.
Can these chickens be bred? I know it's a weird question, but some chickens can't reproduce. Can this one?
They are not recommended for reproduction. This breed is a hybrid and will not retain the same characteristics in future generations.
How old are the chicks when shipped? Do you sell older chicks, around 6-8 weeks?
They are day-old chicks when shipped. We do offer started chicks that are 4-9 weeks old: https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/4_week_old_chicks_category.html
How do you tell the sex of a Red Star chick?
Female Red Star day-old baby chicks are a reddish-orange, and males are white.
Are your chicks given an immunization for Marek's before being shipped?
We offer two vaccinations during the checkout process on our website. The Marek's Disease and Coccidiosis vaccinations are available for chick orders.
I'm at week 15 and eggs are real small. Will the eggs remain small?
All hens will lay small eggs when just beginning to lay. Hence, the term "pullet eggs." As they mature and get used to their new egg laying process, the egg size increases.
How soon will Red Stars lay eggs after delivery?
Red Stars generally begin laying at 18-20 weeks of age.
What's a straight run
Straight run means "just as hatched, unsexed".
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