Straight run chickens are chickens that are not sexed at hatch. This means that you will get a mix of male and female chicks. While this may not be ideal if you are looking to raise chickens for egg production, straight run chickens can still be a good option for small-scale farmers or backyard chicken enthusiasts.
One of the benefits of straight run chickens is that they are typically less expensive than sexed chicks. This is because the process of sexing chicks is more labor intensive and requires specialized equipment. So, if you are on a budget, straight run chicks may be a good option for you.
Another benefit of straight run chickens is that they can be a good option if you are looking to raise chickens for meat production. This is because the males will grow to be larger and have more breast meat. So, if you are looking to raise chickens for meat, straight run chicks may be a good option for you.
Of course, one of the drawbacks of straight run chickens is that you will end up with a mix of male and female chicks. This means that you will have to deal with the potential of roosters if you don't want them. Roosters can be noisy and aggressive, so they are not always desirable in a backyard setting. However, if you are prepared to deal with a rooster or two, straight run chickens can still be a good option for you.