Making a profit from a small scale chicken business- Is it possible?

[CreativeCowgirl]

I love my chickens as just a hobby but I am also very business minded and wonder if I could turn my hobby into a small business. I know I certainly won't make millions, I just want to make a little side money from something I enjoy doing. What is the best way to do this? And more importantly, is it possible? I know most people here just sell eggs to help with feed costs, but I am hoping to do a bit more than that. Has anyone here done this? I have been looking into breeding heritage breeds on a small scale as a possibility, as well as selling eating eggs, hatching eggs, and plain mixed breed chicks from my existing flock for anyone wanting to start a backyard flock. Are there any other good ways to earn some money from chickens on a small scale?

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

From everyone I talk to it's hard to make a profit with just a small scale breeding operations. I'm just starting out as well, but I also plan on selling meat birds to bring in some income as well.

 

[Kevin565]

I'm going to be honest it's highly unlikely you will turn a good profit especially just from mutt chicks and eating eggs. The problem is almost anywhere will have plenty of competition for both. People rarely pay more for something that they can get elsewhere for much cheaper. If you got some good quality stock for breeding you might be able to turn some profit but the cost to get good quality birds and breeding pens can be quite expensive.

 

[Spangled]

No. Ha. That's just my opinion. There are business endeavors that have a better time/profit ratio. Way too much time has to be spent on chickens for it to be profitable in many cases. IMHO. Unless you go ultra niche. Maybe something like soy-free (and grass ranged) eggs or meat and sell them for what they're worth. You'd probably have to live near a metropolitan area that is big into Primal, Paleo, or Weston-Price.

 

[blondiebee181]

I have thought about doing something similar when I retire....which will be forever as I am only 23....HAHAHA! You could try to market something more specific or exotic like Spangled reccomended all grass fed stuff. My parents do Paleo and my grandma, who hasn't been able to lose weight in like 30 years is dropping weight like crazy now! So proud of her....anyhoo offtopic...but it IS becoming a pretty popular diet. Also, you could try exotic breeds of birds or even like quails or heritage turkeys or Peafowl or Pheasant....idk just a thought.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I think you might be able to break even but you would need to be willing to pay for an initial investment, dedicate time to it and stop thinking about your chickens as fun pets that you are in love with. You need to research what you are realistically able to sell at what prices in your local market. What will people buy? What are the rules? Eggs, meat, or birds? The three routes are so different you should probably start with one. Plan really well.

Any of the three options you are going to have to do a lot of work and be willing to do a lot of culling. I see a lot of people on this site wanting to make money and asking how to turn their expensive hobby into a business but then very upset when people suggest they cull unproductive birds. "I would never do that. I love my birds." Well...I think its business or its pets. It's hard to be both.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

All you need to make a little money raising chickens is a lot of money.


Sad but true.

Your best bet would be to buy the best breeds for your area and find a niche market near you like others here suggested.
I've raised almost every kind of animal you can think of, from chickens to cougars. This past year I did finally turn a small profit on the chickens, but it is very little if you figure in my time. If I was going to do it just for the money I'd raise reptiles or ducks.

 

[CreativeCowgirl]

I was thinking of trying to breed either langshans, campines, sultans, or some other rare breed. Do any of those sound like they would sell well? I'm not afraid to cull if necessary. Mississippifarmboy, do you think ducks would sell better? I think I would be open to ducks as well.

 

[Spangled]

All you need to make a little money raising chickens is a lot of money.

Best truism ever.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:

Us old farts are good for something I guess. lol

I was thinking of trying to breed either langshans, campines, sultans, or some other rare breed. Do any of those sound like they would sell well? I'm not afraid to cull if necessary. Mississippifarmboy, do you think ducks would sell better? I think I would be open to ducks as well.

CC, the breed you should raise is what your market wants. I tried the "raising what I thought would sell" route. It was a bust. You need to research your market, find out what people are buying in YOUR area and what prices the market will bear, then figure your costs and see where you stand. Then you can find a breed that will make money.
I've raised thousands of chickens most years, several dozen breeds and varieties. Around here all that sells good are production reds and sex link hens. Definitely not my choice of birds to raise, but I can sell all I can hatch for a fair price. I also raise some rare and unusual breeds. I sell a few... not many, and sell a few hatching eggs through the mail. All these "good" breeds lose money every year. I raise them because I love them, but the cheap production birds pay the bills.

As for ducks? I hate the things - nasty coops, wasted water, loud hens, fly out every time you turn your back, they just tick me off. My better half loves ducks though, so we raise several kinds. And I'll admit, we sell all we can raise every year. We have Pekings, Cumberland blue runners, wild mallards, black east indies, silkie ducks, muscovies....
The plus side to ducks is that they generally eat less than chickens and forage better on free range. They never get sick. They lay as good as most chickens. Most will go broody if you don't want to use an incubator. They are better at avoiding predators. Housing can be as simple as a small wood box out by the pond.
I don't know that ducks would sell well for you, but they are in my mind more profitable than chickens overall.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.