Hello from rural VA!

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Great! A fellow newbie from VA. We started a year and a half ago with 12 pullets and the idea of supplying family and friends with eggs if times got tough. Started selling the extra eggs but were told that our birds were much better-looking than most of the local stock we were seeing so got a good quality rooster and began dabbling a little with raising chicks. At this point we have 5 different breeds of heavy layers - black Australorps, light Brahmas, buff Brahmas, lavender Orphingtons and Auracanas.. Also 4 buff Orphingtons without a rooster. We let the hens raise the first few batches of chicks with mixed results and after a few incubator failures we're now up to a 95% hatch rate. The chicks are selling as fast as we put them up for sale but the jurys still out on whether the profit is better selling them as chicks or almost finished birds. We have a few regular egg customers and try to start a new batch in the incubator every 3 to 5 weeks....
Basically what we've learned so far is : Buy the best stock you can afford.
Provide the biggest yards that you can.
Don't waste your money on cheap incubators without automatic turners, fans and temp/humidity controls.
Quarantine All new stock and de-worm and dust before adding to your flock.
De-worm and dust your flock at least twice during molt.
Ask lots of questions but find a mentor with husbandry that you would like to emulate and stick to their advice for at least a year.
We're still learning and look forward to talking chicken with you. Dave and Lori Stetson Bedford, VA
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orphingtons without a ooster
 
Wow, thank you all so much! Great advice all around! I'm excited to spend more time here
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getting to know everyone and learning from others! Lori.. I don't think we are too far from each other. We will be moving to Nelson county in 21 days! I can't wait to get back in the country
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We're about an hour apart but have a daughter in Staunton so you're not too far off of our path. Let us know when you're settled in and we'll meet for lunch or something Lori
 
Hey there! My dad lives in Fredericksburg VA (he's moving back to West Virginia soon, which is where I am) and says he has a buddy who sells eggs no problem $4 a doz. Around here $3 seems common. I think it's about demand, really. Check out a local farmers market or look for signs on the streets (that's how people out in our area sell usually) and just stop and ask how much :) No harm scoping out the competition! lol!

What breeds are you looking at?
 
Good idea Mountainmama! I am looking at Rhode Island Reds, Araucana (sp? I spell it differently each time lol) and Cukoo Marans to start. Probably some red stars for production.
 
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If you want really good egg layers, try looking at the Leghorns! They have a reputation on being mean.. but mine isn't! Daffodil (The Leghorn) gives me HUGE white eggs every day! Rhode Island Reds also give you some nice color :). I sell eggs, and I have a bunch of different breeds. My mom and I rescue chickens, so a few are not meant for egg laying. I sell my eggs for $3.00. Well... welcome to BYC and hopefully you'll post pictures soon!!!

(The one in the center is Daffodil).
 
I have 4 Leghorns and 3 of them are really sweet. They are fantastic layers, must say!
 

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