Do you hatch your own chicks for customer meat production?

[anniemary]

Is it feasible to hatch my own chicks instead of ordering them every season for selling meat to customers? If so, could you give me some idea of the process or equipment needed?

Thanks!!

 

[Julie08]

sure you can hatch your own, a small incubator with a turner and good thermometer will cost you about 200.00. A broody hen would of course work as well.

 

[anniemary]

Yes, I have an incubator that will house 40 eggs. So, I start with say 40 broilers (obviously there will be some loss)...and then if my customer demand increases, I just add another incubator or two and keep them running hatch after hatch?

 

[Julie08]

Exactly!! Throw some in there and see what happens......... have you hatched before?

 

[anniemary]

Yes, I hatched about ten from our incubator when we had trouble with our babies getting killed in the coop. (I didn't have an opportunity to separate them). I have BO but want to switch to Freedom Rangers and start a Pastured-poultry business.

I feel really lost when it comes to figuring out how many I could process, how many I would need to keep to produce eggs for future prospects, etc.

Could anyone share their experience with producing their own chicks for their broiler business?...maybe i'm on the wrong board.

 

[Julie08]

Try the meat bird section