Is there a market for laying hens?

[legacyln]

I agree I think it depends on your area. Here in rural MO, $7-10 is the going rate for started pullets. I paid $7 each for some healthy Buff Orp and Barred Rock girls in Oct off Craigslist to fill out my flock for winter after a couple of unfortunate events cut my numbers. Not sure what hens beginning to lay would go for.

Incidentally -- I was disappointed when they didn't start laying before the daylight got short (we don't use lights in our henhouse) so I guess I'm feeding 12 extra nonlaying hens all winter

But they add some body heat to my older girls so its all good.

 

[newchickmom]

I sold 5 hens at 20 wks old for $20 each.

 

[Their Other Mother]

We don't really expect to make a fortune or event support the family, just a little something to put back into feed. She just really loves hatching chicks, turning the eggs, checking the temps and watching them hatch. She will stay up all night if they are pipped! When we asked her what she planned on doing with ALL these chicks she said "ssssssell them, Mom!" (she stutters some)

We just don't want to get ahead of ourselves, buying all these eggs for her then having 100 chickens around. My sons have a sick sence of humor and tell her she is raising coyote bait.

 

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

At the auction a few miles from me, RIR pullets that are laying will fetch $20-25.
RIR Roos will fetch as high as 25 in some cases.

I recently bought a quartet of BR's that are laying for 12 bucks a bird. I got a good deal.

 

[Trollkiller]

Quote:
Selling the surplus may not bring you into profit but it will offset the cost somewhat. For what you are trying to do, even selling at a loss is a win.

You may want to try different birds, maybe something that will give you a better price when you sell. Possibly quail or maybe some specialty high dollar chicken breeds.

Just be glad she did not want to raise horses.

 

[Their Other Mother]

How did you know??? We do have 2 horses and she would love that but with hay so high we put the breaks on that one. She has this whole farm wish list, and I must admidt I've encouraged her somewhat. She wants cows, pigs, geese, ducks, sheep (we already have goats), and a garden. It's fun to lay in bed with her and make up our dream farm.