I am able to pay for my feed, keep the family supplied with fresh eggs to eat and to keep some chickens and ducks just for their beauty. Don't have the energy to raise enough chickens to make money.
It is a lot easier to get your money back by selling pure bred chicks and eggs than it is by trying to sell mutts.
Back in the beginning, I had some of the most beautiful mutt chickens you ever saw. The only people who would buy them were folks who came by and saw them up close and personal.
The problem with many pure bred birds is, in the breeder's quest for perfect-looking birds, their size has fallen off, they don't lay as many eggs or, the egg color is not what it's supposed to be.
Be selective in what stock you keep and you will gain the confidence of the folks. Also, be honest in your evaluation of your own stock.
Edited by bigoledude - 8/5/12 at 1:04pm