4 ms·

What is the ratio of female hens to male roosters? Quick googling tells me 10 to 1 but I'm not sure if that is correct. Is there any other species that has a s

• olooney 10y ago
  The natural sex ratio of chickens is 50/50. Chicks are sexed when a few days old and excess males are disposed of. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_sexing There is strong evolutionary pressure that keep sex ratios at close to 50/50 in the vast majority of species. Some species (e.g. clown fish) have environments and traits which push this equilibrium away from 50/50. Fisher's explanation for this phenomenon is widely accepted: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher%27s_principle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher%27s_principle
  • cneumuel 10y ago
    Right, and just in case anyone is in doubt, the ratio for cattle is also 50/50. There is no sexing that I am aware of, but if someone is a vegetarian and drinks milk, they are still supporting the schnitzel industry.
  • tbrock 10y ago
    Obviously the natural ratio is 50/50. I was wondering more if it s bad that we skew it so much unnaturally to one side.
• MustardTiger 10y ago
  That's not the natural ratio at birth, that may be what some people like to keep their flock at by eating the males.