how to make more funds from my chickens

[Beekissed]

Train birds to handle easy for frequent inspections

I've never found this step to be necessary. I examine my birds off the roost at night and provide good lighting in my coop for this reason. The birds don't need training for this, merely a confident handler who is swift and sure in their examinations/treatments. The birds usually just submit because it is dark outside, they are committed to roosting and they aren't really given a choice. I rarely even hear a squawk during these infrequent exams and all goes back to quiet and normal when the lights are turned off once again.​

 

[CluckyJay]

Quote:

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

2nd grade hay makes for lower cost bedding than bagged wood shavings, even if you use half and half there is money to be saved.

Skip on the keeping chickens for emotional reasons, it makes good otherwise simple farming decisions complicated and always costs money. Enjoy productive healthy animals rather than keeping sick, injured or old ones. May sound harsh, but you got to be tough in tough times.

As posted above for selling eggs only keep the most productive egg lay breeds, for meat the red or white broilers. Skip on the dual purpose unless you have something desirable that can be sold for hatching eggs or chicks.

If you can get food direct at the mill and buy quantity. Though sometimes mill feed can sound like a good deal (price per pound) but of the chickens don't do well on it you can be worse off than buying brand name by the 50 pound bag.

Always have an ad up on local area for chicks or hatching eggs, even if you run out you can often pre sell the next batch.

 

[StupidBird]

I added emotional attachment because I'm a city-livin' suburbanite with quasi-legal backyard birds, and these are for my health and sanity as much as the eggs. So, two of the first four hens ever owned are guaranteed lifers, as my boys made pets out of them.... Oh, and the silkie. Ok, those three hens are lifers, although I'd sell the silkie as a pet. Everthing else is up for grabs.

If it's dark enough outside, it's late enough I'm oft in bed already.

Now farming, if I was farming, I'd be much more ruthless. It's a job then, not a hobby. And I've been thinking on all the ways to make that a paying proposition, so I also enjoy reading all the suggestions in that arena.

 

[ChickLover98]

I sell feathers and make chicken feather hair clips to sell also.

I have egg layers and I make a good chunk of money to pay for feed, and I have Cochin SQ breeders that I plan to breed and sell!

 

[edible_chicken]

Fred's Hens :

To make the numbers come out, there are some things that must be/can be done. I'll list them, but all are important for a viable egg business.

1. Much of the flock MUST be top notch, young, laying breeds, especially the commercial breeds sold to backyarders, such as the red sex links, ISA Browns, Leghorns, etc.
2. First year pullets must constantly coming on stream, and less productive older birds must be exiting the flock.
3. Feed costs must be cut. Begin with locating a local mill that grinds their own feed. 50 lbs of Purina at TSC is $16, while 50 lbs of layer mash at local mill, here, is $10.
4. Eggs must be sold retail at a $1.50 per dozen profit margin. Through social networking, develop and maintain a solid customer base.
5. "Pets" and/or other less productive birds can be kept, but can not dominate the flock percentage.


Without this "business" side of flock keeping, my sheer "enjoyment" flock would be very, very small indeed.

This is very good advice. I buy my layer feed $9.50 (w/tax) for 50lbs that feeds 5 BO for 5-6 weeks. In the summer it lasts longer since we feed them stuff from the garden. They normally produce 4-5 eggs every day and we sell $2-3 a dozen. Each month our revenue is around $20-24 and profit around $10 a month plus savings for not having to buy eggs.​

 

[edible_chicken]

we also plan to buy higher producing hens next year. we might get leghorns or australops.

 

[mama dixie]

ok so lots of questions on what I have read. one where do you get feed for 9.50 for 50 lbs sounds good to me I am paying like 17. what is it that you are adding to the water that made the eggs taste better? are you just buying black walnuts someplace to feed the hens or do you get them at a store some place?


I am leaning twords getting more of the wyandots wish I could spell that one.... they seem to lay well and I hear they are dual purpose. I love my Cochin they are my fav's and I love my salmon favor-ells they go broody easy and are good layers to boot and I hear they are good meat birds they look kinda scrawny to me but I have not plucked one so I am unsure.


I agree hard times do call for a harder out look on this stuff. I have my babies I will never slaughter but I need to get better with the others.

 

[Avalon1984]

You'll get there

I couldn't believe how my feed lasted once I got rid of the not so desireable birds and I also started to make some money towards the feed. it is nice.

 

[Beekissed]

ok so lots of questions on what I have read. one where do you get feed for 9.50 for 50 lbs sounds good to me I am paying like 17. what is it that you are adding to the water that made the eggs taste better? Apple Cider Vinegar are you just buying black walnuts someplace to feed the hens or do you get them at a store some place?​