@I Love Layers
How many birds do you currently have? And how much previous experience?
Couple of things for you to consider....
None of your birds will be laying for the first 5-6 month. That equals zero efficiency and a whole lot of mouths to feed. You will never get 100% anyways because I don't yet know of a bird that lays 7 days a week.
Raising a few chicks is much different than raising large batches. Things like cocci are much harder to control. Illness spreads fast and can wipe out much if not all of your flock. Dealing with sick birds can take the joy out of chicken keeping very fast.
All of your birds will molt during winter #2! It would be better to get half this year and half next year so all your birds don't quit laying at the same time. That won't be good for keeping yourself or your customers supplied. Some people replace their 3 year old birds with chicks each year so they always have 1 group that won't be molting, and the 3rd year because that is when production tends to fall off.
North Dakota seems like it gets really cold? Is Naked Neck Turken really suited to that environment? I think they are cool and would like to get one. But most everybody I know thinks they are down right ugly.
If you are having your chicks shipped, I would be surprised if you get 100% survival rate. Also, even with sexed chicks would be surprised if a few weren't extra males.
If you get only half now, you can see how your plan will work out, if you are able to build a customer base. And half your birds would be producing to help cover the cost of keeping them plus the new free loaders. It will also give you time to work on expanding your housing, which I promise will take longer than you think because things come up. Also, learning what does and doesn't work FOR YOU.... I have made so many adjustment to my set up, like ramp location, roost height, door opening size, poo removal tools, pasture management practices. What sounds good in theory or on paper doesn't always translate to real life.
It really isn't fair for you to expect your parents to carry that bill If you are trying to start a business, you should do it the responsible way! Which is starting small, building equity, then expanding. I can tell you are excited! Chicken math got me this year to. I am spending $100 a month just on feed for 48 birds. (I guess size of breed may make some difference) That doesn't include bedding, medical treatments, pest management, housing, or treats, a quarantine space . Of course as a parent, I will be happy to help my daughter get started.... but with an effective plan.
If you are selling chicks and eggs, do your parents need something special on their home owners insurance? Will there come a point at which you have to report your income to the IRS? If so, you will want to keep all of your receipts and record of your expenses so you can deduct them. You may not get to that point, but I'm at least mentioning it so you are aware.
Another thing... I NEVER hatch young pullet eggs because there are glitches their reproductive system is still working out. And I wouldn't hatch them until they reached the correct size for their breed standard. Which likely wouldn't be for about two months or so after start of laying. Even though you don't breed to SOP, who wants a BCM with a big white tail? So you will still need to meet breed standards to a point. Or if you hatch from tiny eggs they will never reach their potential full size and therefor won't lay as large of eggs or produce a good carcass which both defeats the point of production. I don't know if you have local feed stores.... but they sell their chicks sexed all day long for under $4.... might be hard to sell straight run for $5 especially depending on how your local market is. Someone here sells Ameraucana, and everyone in town knows where you got them and often already have some. My town is around 8,000. But at some point people have already got all the birds they can support, which is why I figure you are getting NPIP, so you can ship...
You are getting NPIP which is awesome! It shows you do have an intent to do things properly.
Also, since you will have layers, chicks, and roosters... I suggest an all flock type feed. If you feed roosters too much calcium long term as in layer (4%) it can cause kidney issues as well as decreased life span. For chicks it can stunt growth as well as causing kidney complications. I use Purina Flock Raiser because I have a mixed age and gender flock. The 20% protein is good for growing because that is what feathers are made of. 16% protein (layer) is the bare minimum to support a hen. If you feed treats it diminishes it even farther. I provide oyster shell on the side for layers, which is the only extra ingredient in layer ration. This way you also don't need chick starter which is often medicated. Some people use it but it only fights cocci and often isn't enough to keep it at bay. Especially with a flock the size you are talking wouldn't surprise me if you still need to buy Corid (amprollium) to treat for cocci.
So even though layer feed is cheaper it has less protein and more calcium. The calcium is cheaper than protein. I prefer mine on the side.
I hope you can understand that I am speaking with some experience (including chicken math
e and business) and with all my heart think you should down scale your year 1 plans! Not because I am a dream killer, but rather to help the dream carry on instead of becoming a rapid nightmare.
One more thing... or two, I love FF check out the link in my signature line. People swear they save at least 30% on their feed bill (I'm not sure because mine are all growing out and kept adding more). But the difference in how the poo looks and smells was the convincing factor for me. The last would be, I highly recommend Mama Heating Pad and raising out doors in their coop. We taped together large boxes for brooders. They worked fine and were basically free except the tape.
Sounds like your parents are for you not against you! You should discuss all this with them and seriously consider it before jumping in. We all have things we want but we have to work our way there. I highly doubt that you would regret scaling back for year one. Money for housing and feed doesn't make itself. And let's not forget the commitment on your part. Who will be caring for them when you are ill or want to go away for the weekend with a friend? Or for the week with your family?
Will you be free ranging? What size is the housing that you have already?
Yes, I have put a lot of time and though into this! I thought it was important to try and help you succeed. Best wishes for an appropriate decision and for a happy healthy flock!
