Cornish Hen Prices

[anthonyjames]

I know Cornish Hens are from Brooder to plate. Approximately 3 weeks old. I have a restaurant that wants to purchase 25 per month from me to start. I have been doing the math and I am coming up with $8.25 per bird.

Cost of bird:
$1.09

Cost of Feed
$0.24 lb = $0.60

Processing:
$2.60 + tax per bird

Gas to travel to processor.
60 miles round trip 2 times. Once to drop off and once to pick up.
Total of 120 miles. Roughly $14 for gas

That is approximately $3 profit per bird. Does that sound reasonable? There would be no extra travel to processor as everytime I go I will have 125 full sized broilers. So these guys would just tag along.

Any thoughts?

 

[bigredfeather]

If you can make $3/bird in 3 weeks, I think it sounds like a great opportunity. Per my feed chart, I would project you will go thru about 3 1/2 pounds of feed each, but that is not a deal breaker. I say go for it!

 

[donrae]

Quote:
How much are you planning on them eating? I'm not understanding from your post

But I do think $75 a month is nothing to sneeze at, esp if you already have a brooder/set-up available.

 

[anthonyjames]

donrae,

Well since I sell around 700 broilers a year right now I don't normally sell cornish hens. So I am inquiring thoughts. I don't want to price to high to scare away but not to low. People on the forum have good thoughts and ideas and always good to get some input.

 

[animalsRawesome]

Where are you getting your birds for $1.09? Thats the least expensive I've seen. Have you had any experience with the hatchery?
THANK YOU!

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I charge $7.50 but I also do my own processing so it makes sense. It really sucks they are charging you $2.60 / cornish hen. I can do a hundred of those things in like an hour... by myself. That's crazy.

However, the birds, at least mine, are 5 weeks and male only. That puts them at about 1.75 pounds - 2 pounds processed. I've done smaller but customers like the bigger birds. What I would do if I was you... process a 3 week old, a 4 week old, and a 5 week old (one of each sex) and give them to the restaurant and let them decide which size they want.

This way you know for sure.

A $3.00 profit after a $2.60 processing fee is really good... hopefully its a long deal and not just a short 2-3 time buy.

Hows things been in your neck of the woods? Hows those rabbits?

 

[anthonyjames]

AnimalsRawsome,

I have used the hatchery before. I used them last year for 2 batches of Cornish X. The birds turned out great and the hatchery is less than 2 hours away. So I basically drive out or they show up at my feed mill same day.

Jeff,

Yes, Wisconsin is a funky state and from where I am located there is no one closer than 30/40 minute drive one way. So that means 2+ hours driving but knowing I can loop them in with other batches this year since I am only doing Cornish X instead of rangers my timing works out great. I feed all the birds Gamebird 28% feed in the brooder so hoping that helps and this restaurant has been purchasing rabbits from me for the past year so I am pretty sure this will be a long term deal. Their plan is to serve half hens for Sunday Brunch which is a 4 course meal.

As for rabbits. Getting big quick and next week is re-breeding time again. And a week after that babies head out to tractors.

Weather has sucked the last week to 10 days. Put my broilers I have not out on pasture when is was in 70's and has been in 30 to 40's for last week with rain. But no deaths and they seem to be thriving.

I am also looking to start Dinner on the Farm with a couple of local chefs showcasing our products and some other local farmers. A buffalo and produce farm. I started the plans for hopefully first dinner in fall after watching Unique Eats on the food channel and seeing this: http://www.dinnersatthefarm.com/Dinners_at_the_Farm/Press.html

Also the 300 broilers. I got the order from the rabbi. So that was huge and at the same time he asked if I had sheep. I said no but how many you want. He gave me his count and now I have 10 sheep that will be eating grass in front of the broilers. And he is taking the sheep at market cost which is at about $1.89 lb on the hoof. I got mine from a local farmer for $50 each at 44 lbs. Whew.

How are things in your part? How are the pigs? How is the garden coming? I really want to get on board with that this year. I really need to get out of my corp job by this time next year. Are you planting your crops with anything special like a Earthway Garden Seeder or are you using big equipment?

 

[LightningBG]

You might want to check with a tax professional about the sales tax. I'm thinking you might not have to pay taxes at the processor, since its for resale, you would just provide them with your Tax ID # or SSN.

 

[DanIndiana]

Am I reading correctly; you're getting $7-$8 for a 3 week cornish hen? I'm new, but that sounds great, right?
Thanks for humoring me.

 

[anthonyjames]

You are correct on the prices.

And I do pay taxes on processing. At tax time I itemize all taxes paid since I don't charge my customers tax on food. As that is rule I think even at the grocery store. So my tax man adjusts everything