Hope I can pick some brains here...
I just ordered a 48 egg incubator and I'm toying with the idea of selling chickens. Thinking about getting three dozen fertile eggs from one of the people that sells farm eggs around here and hatching them in September. Then, raising them until March, and selling young laying pullets. Our Facebook groups are always lit up first thing in the spring wanting laying hens, because everywhere advertises chick days and you know people, we all like instant gratification. I'm sure I could probably get $10/each.
My concern:
How much feed would they eat in six months? Bearing in mind I ferment, so that would save wastage and cut down a bit on amount eaten. I'd like to run some numbers assuming all 36 hatch, even though I know that's highly unlikely.
I already have a big horse stall I can convert to a juvie pen. I'm fine with getting all the males butchered, I eat a lot of chicken. Of course, if there's any sure-fire way to skew towards more females, I wouldn't be opposed to that, especially as I want to throw a few of my Buff Orps in to replace some next spring.
I'm not sure if I should offer the freshly hatched chicks as straight run for $4/each or not. I assume there wouldn't be many takers, but it would cut down on feed cost.
Thoughts? I know it probably won't be very profitable, but if it came close to break-even I'd like to do it just as a fun project. But, if I'm gonna lose my rear in feed costs, I won't bother.
I just ordered a 48 egg incubator and I'm toying with the idea of selling chickens. Thinking about getting three dozen fertile eggs from one of the people that sells farm eggs around here and hatching them in September. Then, raising them until March, and selling young laying pullets. Our Facebook groups are always lit up first thing in the spring wanting laying hens, because everywhere advertises chick days and you know people, we all like instant gratification. I'm sure I could probably get $10/each.
My concern:
How much feed would they eat in six months? Bearing in mind I ferment, so that would save wastage and cut down a bit on amount eaten. I'd like to run some numbers assuming all 36 hatch, even though I know that's highly unlikely.
I already have a big horse stall I can convert to a juvie pen. I'm fine with getting all the males butchered, I eat a lot of chicken. Of course, if there's any sure-fire way to skew towards more females, I wouldn't be opposed to that, especially as I want to throw a few of my Buff Orps in to replace some next spring.
I'm not sure if I should offer the freshly hatched chicks as straight run for $4/each or not. I assume there wouldn't be many takers, but it would cut down on feed cost.
Thoughts? I know it probably won't be very profitable, but if it came close to break-even I'd like to do it just as a fun project. But, if I'm gonna lose my rear in feed costs, I won't bother.