Buying chicks to resell?

[RabbitMage]

Has anyone done it? Is it worth the time and money?

I was thinking of getting a little order (25-35 chicks) in assorted breeds. Maybe some rarer breeds, some Easter Eggers, probably all pullets, then reselling most of them at around 12 weeks old. My thought is people might like to get some young chickens but not have to worry about shipping chicks and dealing with setting up a brooder etc. Growing healthy pullets approaching egg-laying age seem like they'd be appealing, especially if we're talking about rare or colorful chickens.

I'm not looking for a huge profit, but enough to finance this endeavor and maybe enough for a few extra bags of feed.

 

[swimmer]

That is how I bought my girls. The lady I bought them from buys chicks every two weeks. Sells them at 7 weeks old. Think I paid $7 per pullet. Not sure how many she buys at one time. Looked like 20-30. I guess if you do that, you would have to see what the demand for pullets is. Would you be able to sell them all? Do you have the space for them once they get bigger.

 

[RabbitMage]

Space isn't an issue, I have most of the equipment I need (a bigger feeder would be nice!), and worst case scenario is I end up with some extra egg layers or chicken dinners.

My biggest concern is that I don't know what the demand is here. I see someone locally posting Silkies every few weeks, but I don't know how many the sell. I also see a lot of highly priced Shamo/Thai birds ("for show"), but not much else.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

People are ALWAYS looking for chickens in the Spring. You can probably sell EVERYTHING you raise if you can get the word out that you have them for sale.

 

[iluvmichickens]

Last Fall I ordered 25 chicks and only had room for about 10 once they were grown. I ordered all pullets and sold them at a couple weeks of age. I thought about keeping them longer and then selling, but the smell and work was getting to be a little too much. Basically I broke even once you figure in feed and shipping. But I do wonder if I could of made a little money if I tried in the Spring instead. I'm getting the chick "bug" again.

 

[zazouse]

I have a guy that buys 100's at a time from me when i am hatching and i let them go for 75 cents each he gets 2.00 each for them and i don't have to deal with alot of traffic to my place.

 

[RabbitMage]

Sounds like a good deal for you zazouse. Thanks everyone, I think I'll give it a try.

Mostly I've been wanting some Dorkings for myself, plus a few other breeds to add to my crew. If I can get an order and break even/make a little profit off the extras, it makes it much easier to justify!

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I was filling my Sportsman 1502, last year, & selling all of my chicks to 2 local feedstores for $1.50 each & they were selling them for $2.50 each & wanted more than I could hatch. I haven't sold alot of 12 week olds, but I sure have bought alot.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I don't believe there will be enough profit to finance a few bags of feed. $12 times "a few" equals $36......

If a few means three.

Kinda hard to make a $36 dollar profit.

Sure, you can almost always run a listing on Craigs and get folks to split an order with you. I've done it. Oft times you make enough to cover the shipping costs, making your own chicks a little cheaper. That's about it. Folks can buy at feed stores, TSC Chick Days, and can also answer other Craigs listings. Just saying. Your re-sale has to be reasonably priced or you might find yourself with many new beaks to feed.