making money with chickens?

[ki4got]

is it actually possible or is it a pipe dream?

i mean you can sell eggs, hatching eggs, chicks, young stock, grown stock, and meat, but can it actually be profitable?

please share your setup/stories/etc, i'd like to know what others have done.
Thanks

 

[BellevueOmlet]

There are some good long stories and explainations I have gotten to answer that question from this forum. I'll look them up and give you the links. It is pretty much like anything. You can do it right and well and big and do very well or you can do it wrong and fail. Also you can do it right and fail as with anything. I would start small and build up. It is a lot of work but with the right setup and organization, you can make it very efficient and get it done with less effort.

 

[Magic Birdie]

You can, but most of the time, it will turn into something like a bunch of battery hens. Enjoy your chickens for what they are!

 

[peterlund]

No. BUT... you can furnish others with new hatched chicks from your shipment, and defer some costs... then you can sell off some 8 week old chicks to some other buyers a bit later (FOR MUCH MORE $$) To defer costs, then at last you can sell some 18 week old ready to lay girls to some new impatient fanatics for top dollar.... yup, to defray costs because after the feed, the time involved and initial costs their is no profit. However, you do gain self pride and a purpose.... that is priceless... (minus the feed costs).

 

[chickensgalore]

i have never made money from chickens,always lose lol.but the farm fresh eggs are priceless

 

[Baymule]

These birds belong to Mac in Abilene. He has posted some very good posts about his operation, wish I had bookmarked them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2328-wisconsin-layer-barn

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
well thanks for that, but i REALLY don't want to go that route LOL.

My goal is to raise Dorkings, and help improve the breed to where the standard used to be. I can't say i've seen many that fit the standard yet. I'm sure they're out there, but I haven't seen more than a small handful IMO... so 2 color varieties is my goal, with a third as a project.

What eggs don't go in the incubator would be sold as hatching eggs, or eating eggs. culls go in the freezer as well. The dogs eat raw, so right there will be that much less i have to pay to the grocery stores. plus like was mentioned, i can sell new chicks, started chicks, or ready-to-lay hens. And as the lines improve, hopefully there would be a small demand from others who want this breed as well. I don't think there's such a thing as a 'useless' chicken LOL.

I don't really want to go the commercial or even semi-commercial route, because for one, I don't have enough flat property to do that kind of thing with LOL.

I was planning on free range eggs/meat available at the local farmer's market too possibly, once i get some birds on the ground. I've contemplated some meat birds but i hate that they can't free range...

so far on the dorking front i have 4 eggs, a trio of adults (who JUST started laying) and 2 chicks hatched last week. so it's going to be a while before I have my own self-sustaining flock, to say the least.

 

[Baymule]

This thread has some good info. Mac in Abilene has some input on this one.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=576281&p=1

12 pages of goodies here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5862438


3 pages on selling eggs

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=368746&p=1

There are some very dedicated breeders in the breeds section. I don't know if they make any money or not, but you might want to study some of their threads. For the most of us, we lose or break even. Myself, I have 8 hens and just enjoy the eggs and give eggs to family and friends. I hope these threads help you on your quest.

 

[Baymule]

Viola!! I found the Dorking thread in the breeds section. 128 pages and counting. I think you need a rainy, cold day to camp out on your computer and read till your eyeballs roll out on your face!!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=118388

 

[onthespot]

The breeds that sell for the most money may not be your preference, or your exact favorite breed. And conversely, your favorite rare breeds may not be profitable, which is why they are not a lot of other people's favorites.