how's this graph look?

[chickNjake]

this graph is a rough draft I made to convince my family that, in the long run, it is more cost effective to keep the best quality birds, as opposed to slightly less.

(is this true?) I wasn't able to acquire all data so a lot is just a guess so I'm wanting to know what you would change!

PS- I'm not attached to this or anything so feel free to tell me it's all wrong

for the overall section I guessed I'd hatch half of the eggs and sell them, and sell half as hatching eggs, again another guess

 

[Vcomb]

Jake,
This is a really interesting idea! I would like to point a few things out to you though.

First, Don't be so quick to discredit "breeder quality" birds. Often times people who breed for show will use birds who don't quite fit the standard but when bred together produce far superior offspring. Breeding two show birds can increase your odds of producing more top knotch birds, but it can also backfire on you bigtime and produce all offspring below par of what the original birds are.


Also keep in mind that show bloodlines often times produce fewer eggs than hatchery bloodlines so in the end your profits might be closer to one another than you think.

I would recommend if you're going to this length to find examples proving the purchase prices as well.

I'm also curious why you are choosing to go with 1 rooster and 4 hens? What are the intentions here - to produce "chickens", or to produce "show birds"?


Quote:

 

[chickNjake]

I know your right and I'm sure I'll end up with, so to speak, breeder and show quality birds.

I will get some better numbers on the prices, would you recommend eggbid? I know prices fluctuate on there, but it's easy.

the rooster-to-hen ratio will probably vary also, I just thought I could get a very good rooster and he could cover 4 hens easily, what would you recommend?

also I'm expecting that none of this will have any "profit"

but just less loss

Thanks!!!

 

[Vcomb]

Eggbid, provided you quote auctions where someone actually won it, would work. I would also suggest surfing breeder sites, some folks list their prices.

The ratio sounds good, but the reason I ask is this: if you are seriously wanting to make a breeding program with the goal to improve your birds towards a standard, then make sure to single mate your birds. You can still use 1 male to 4 hens, just have 4 pens and rotate the rooster to a different hen every few days.

Good to know that your goal is "less loss" rather than breaking the bank, lol. I tell folks all the time if you're lookin to get rich quick off of chickens you're in for a rude awakening. My goal is to try to be able to cover the bills for the equipment and feed that go into the birds with what I sell of the birds. Sometimes I make it sometimes not, but I enjoy them eitherway.

Quote:

 

[MoodyChicken]

A lot of times the SQ birds are your worst breeders. I'd hang onto some breeders.

 

[chickNjake]

I'm actually going be in a show Saturday- well my birds

- so I can ask around with breeders

My goal is to be able to single mate them in the future, but I probably won't be able to do that too soon

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Huny]

I think you have your numbers a bit off. I don't believe the show quality vs. breeder quality is that big a difference, though between pet/hobby quality and breeder quality it is. My breeder quality Silkies were 25 a piece, and I was told by a few people at the show I got a steal, they should be more like one hundred a piece. Now, even going off of that price, that's 125 for the 5 birds, but I even admit, I thought they would be 50-75 a piece when I first saw them. That would be 250 for the 4 hens and 1 rooster.

Same with an Australorp trio I got, I paid 120 for the three. That is the "I love the FFA and 4-H program so I'll pay a little extra" price, but everyone feels I did fair, and one even asked if I paid 200 or more for the trio.

It all depends on the breed, and what the market is for them. I purchased the winning BV, RV, on the Columbian Rock Bantams, and I bought his entire stock for 60. He wanted out of that breed, wanted to sell a trio of breeders for 30 or his show and breeding birds for 60 to get them sold. Not a lot of people go crazy for Columbian Rock Bantams, so the market isn't there for them.

Anyone else agree on price with me?

PS, I love the idea of a chart, not happy with the font and special effects at the top, I like things a little less fun and more readable...personal choice.

 

[chickNjake]

I changed the graph a little, I think it would make more since to do show quality vs pet quality. I've moved some #s what do you think now?

thanks for all the helpful replies!!

sorry I'll get it later my comp. froze up