how much for Silkie hens

[Chicken Lil]

I have decided to sell my two Partridge Silkie Hens, and as I have never sold any chickens before I'm not sure what they are worth or the easiest way to sell them.

They are both ten months old, very poofy, and have been hand raised. They each lay 4-5 eggs a week, and they go broody ever three weeks. Would make great mothers if they had eggs to hatch.

I checked out the Partridge Silkies on Eggbid, and the hen looks exactly like my two girls. So would $20 each be fair?

Also, should I try selling through the local paper first. I am really concerned about trying to sell on line, as I don't know how to ship them.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[jimnjay]

Try Craigslist for your area. Newspaper ads are expensive and if you don't sell them with the first attempt you waste you money. As to how much to ask, That is a hard one. Everything depends on demand for what you are selling in your location. Craigslist is free and I have done pretty well selling and giving away chickens I can't use.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

How well do your birds meet the standard? 5 toes per foot? nice crest? wings held tightly closed? heavily feathered feet? dark skin? dark, correctly shaped comb? The closer they are to the standard, the more value your birds have.

Is there a poultry club in your area? Active poultry 4H groups? Any of those may know of someone looking for silkies. Also, people often want silkies to brood eggs of other breeds--particularly waterfowl.


Shipping is relatively easy--you put the clean well-fed & watered bird in a proper box with shavings along with a supply of moist food (such as apples), close & ziptie the box & deliver it to your post office early in the week. The airholes in the box need to be covered with biofilters; coffee filters are an appropriate substitute.

Shipping cost depends on the distance traveled as well as the weight of the box. I've seen as low as $35 and much higher for farther distances and larger weights. The boxes cost $10 for singles; two silkie hens will fit in one single box.

 

[Chicken Lil]

Quote:
Thanks for the info. My hens, both seem to meet the standard very well. Black skin, five toes on very feathered feet. Their earlobes are a lovey irridescent blue, and the combs are excedingly small, acorn shaped and dark.

Good idea about 4-H. I'll try that.

 

[peakpoultry]

Quote:
I would be willing to buy them if you will ship them to Arizona..

 

[silkieluver_07]

Where are you located? Some BYC members might be interested in purchasing them locally.

 

[peakpoultry]

Quote:
I am in Tucson Arizona.

 

[silkieluver_07]

Quote:
I am in Tucson Arizona.

Oops, I directed that question to Chicken Lil. Maybe they could sell their partidge silkies on BYC.