Info needed on starting a hatchery

[AtlantisPeeps]

I'm not sure where this goes, so I'm going to be posting this on a few different forums. Anyway, I am a teen, and my dream is to have a hatchery when I'm an adult. I want to soak up as much information now, rather than later. I already have a plan, but I want advice.

The hatchery will be in TN, so first off I was wondering what kind of business license I would need, and links would be appreciated. I want to start with 6 different breeds which include Barred Rocks, Buff Orpington, Delaware, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex and Blue Andalusian. I would have 6 hens and 1 rooster per breed to start. My plan is to build a barn with 12 horse stalls in it (with the sides and front that goes all the way up, and have each seperate breed in a stall. I would cut out the back of each stall, and put hinges on the piece I cut for a door to the outside (with a large window covered with chicken wire), which will have large runs that are about the size of the stall. I would have two perches in the stall, with nest boxes lining one side of the stall. I would also have 2 stalls for broody hens/chicks, outside bachelor coop for any unsold males. I want to have at least 2 incubators in the house. As for money, I have a part time job that will pay for the chickens themselves, food, incubators and other needs, but my parents are willing to help out on the barn itself. I was planning to do all the other construction myself, with the help of my dad on weekends. Any tips? Advice? Criticism? Ideas? Thanks

 

[Mrs. K]

I would recommend that you contact your county extension agent, see if they can steer you on the licensing aspects.

Another great resource is visiting a hatchery near you. I think you might have to vacinate your chicks, and be NIP (?) certified. You might contact a local vet for the rules needed for that.

You might contact your local poultry club, the county extension agent should know about that too. These people might be your future customers. You could ask to visit successful poultry people, lookng at their set ups, asking what works well, and what they wish they would have done differently. They may show you something that you have not thought of.

I am in favor of starting small, maybe two breeds. You might advertize in the area, or do a polling one day at a feed store, to see which breeds there are a strong interest in.

When it comes to building, again, you might start smaller, but build it so that it is easy to add on too.
I would consider the dimensions 4 square feet per bird for the coop, + 10 square feet for the run per bird.

Good luck, this is a fun hobby.

Mrs K

 

[keesmom]

Also contact your state's Department of Agriculture. Your birds will need to be tested. What they are tested for and how often varies from state to state But I can guarantee A I will be on the list.

 

[taz4470]

The university of Tn has a department averculture that should be able to get you most of that information I want *** by everyday when I go to work

 

[AtlantisPeeps]

Thanks guys! I am going to get a part time job at a hatchery in my area to see what goes on etc. I have started a poultry journal and I wrote down what I know about hatching, and every breed I want to eventually work with. I will write down every single egg I incubate and total the hatch rate, then count and sum up the number of customers to see if I need to increase or decrease production. Also going to check out the local Amish, so if I have a trouble bird I can sell it to them for meat.

More advice and guidance would be awesome!

 

[Mrs. K]

Really working with people will be priceless. You will lern a lot.