Breeders?

[Chicken Girl]

I dont know if i want to drive 3 hours. lol How much do you sell your birds for?

Thanks,

Chicken Girl

 

[destiny_56085]

Chicks are $5 each. On the started stock, pq is $5-10, breeder quality $25-50, and show potential $50+. I raise roughly 400 silkie chicks per year. I'm the MN state rep for both silkie breed clubs and the secretary for another large poultry club over here. The incubator is running through July at least and I have weekly hatches. Check out my website link for tons of pics of my breeding stock and young stock from previous years.

 

[Chicken Girl]

i am a teen so am not going to be geting to big with this. SO should i go with the breeding quality birds befor i even think about show quality? Thanks,

Chicken Girl

 

[destiny_56085]

These are birds with minor faults just as improper toe spacing, a missing toenail, or even something like a bent toe due to a hatching issue. These are birds that will not do as well in the show ring but it won't hurt them to use from a breeding standpoint. It can be something as simple as that 5th toenail not pointing backwards instead of straight out. There are some things that will definitely pass on that you don't want to be using... 4 toers, single combs, 6th claws, red skin, etc. Some things you can look at as chicks and others first show up at a much later stage.... improper wing placement, off colors in hackles/saddle, horns off the comb, etc. There's also alot of reasons your show birds don't always make the best breeding stock too. We strive for such huge crests, cusions, the S shaped bodies, short legs, little combs, etc. Alot of those same factors impairs fertility and they physically cannot mate anymore without the use of artificial insemination. Its all a balancing act and you have to do alot of matings just to see what works. Its not as easy as just throwing 2 birds together. If one is weak in one area, you balance them with a bird strong in that area. Even the best looking bird you may ever find can still throw quirks in its offspring. You have to learn how to watch for that kind of thing.

There are alot of silkie 'breeders' out there and if you want to sell birds to anything but the Asians for meat, you have to get on the same playing ground as for quality. Silkies are a challenge and it takes alot of dedication. I'm sure it is no different with other breeds too. You mentioned wanting to become a breeder and making money off them. Well its going to involve doing some homework.

 

[Chicken Girl]

I am not sure what i want to do yet. I am still likeing the idea of JG too. Are they easyer to breed and sell then show birds?


Thanks so much for your help,

Chicken Girl

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
Might want to change the title of your thread to Wisconsin Breeders.

 

[Chicken Girl]

Sorry, i meant here as in BYC.

Chicken Girl

 

[destiny_56085]

Giants are nice for beginners...no huge crests and feathered feet to worry about. I'm sure there are some breeders that will give you all the pro/cons on them. Are you looking at breeding stock for showing, layers, or meat birds? They are decent layers but not the best. They take a long time to finish out compared to cornish crosses if looking at butchering them. As for breeding stock, you will have to find a market for the birds and get yourself recognized first. You will still be raising alot of $5-10 birds until you can start producing top show quality. We had some for a while.... I liked them but they took alot of space and ate alot.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
If you're wanting to sell good quality birds and hatching eggs you would be better off in the long run to get some breeding pairs or hatching eggs from a reputable breeder. The odds of a bird from a hatchery being good enough are not very good. The market demand depends on what kind of birds you have and what quality they are. Don't look to make much money if any.....I consider it a good month if I've covered the feed bill for all my birds.