donrae
Rest in Peace -2017
If you got your birds from Ideal, they're all Easter eggers. Just accept that. Simply because a bird is black or blue or whatever doesn't make them a pure Ameraucana. Their parents were not pure, so they're not pure and won't breed pure.
That said.....
My only problem with selling EE chicks is competing with the feed stores. I have several good feed stores locally that resell sexed chicks from hatcheries. Since I can't vent sex, I have to sell straight run and that makes it hard to compete. I imagine you'd be in the same boat. Folks love the Easter eggers, the different colors of the birds themselves and the egg colors. But everyone wants ladies, no one wants little roosters.
What I've found is best is to raise them up a bit and then sell them. At least 6 weeks, at that point you can sex them pretty confidently, and they're off the heat and don't need to be brooded anymore. Or, raise them to point of lay (5ish months) and sell them then, lots of folks like birds of that age seems like.
If you're not selling straight run chicks, but growing them out to sell pullets only, you'll need a plan for your cockerels. I eat mine, I literally can't give them away.
You have birds that lay beautiful blue eggs, so that should carry down to their offspring. that will be a big selling point, everyone covets that rainbow egg basket
That said.....
My only problem with selling EE chicks is competing with the feed stores. I have several good feed stores locally that resell sexed chicks from hatcheries. Since I can't vent sex, I have to sell straight run and that makes it hard to compete. I imagine you'd be in the same boat. Folks love the Easter eggers, the different colors of the birds themselves and the egg colors. But everyone wants ladies, no one wants little roosters.
What I've found is best is to raise them up a bit and then sell them. At least 6 weeks, at that point you can sex them pretty confidently, and they're off the heat and don't need to be brooded anymore. Or, raise them to point of lay (5ish months) and sell them then, lots of folks like birds of that age seems like.
If you're not selling straight run chicks, but growing them out to sell pullets only, you'll need a plan for your cockerels. I eat mine, I literally can't give them away.
You have birds that lay beautiful blue eggs, so that should carry down to their offspring. that will be a big selling point, everyone covets that rainbow egg basket
