What does straight run mean in game bird buying?

In game bird buying, "straight run" refers to a group of chicks sold without regard to gender. This means the batch will contain both male and female chicks in an approximately 50-50 ratio. The term "straight run" is commonly used when selling poultry chicks, including game birds like pheasants, quail, and chukar partridges.

When game bird breeders offer straight run chicks, it can be more economical for buyers who are not specifically interested in raising birds for a particular purpose, such as egg production or hunting. Additionally, straight run chicks allow for a diverse and natural population of males and females, which can be beneficial for genetic diversity and flock management.

In contrast to straight run, game bird breeders may also offer sexed chicks, where males and females are separated and sold specifically. This can be necessary for certain game bird species where males and females play distinct roles in breeding and flock dynamics.