Minnesota!

[holm25]

Thanks!


I'm a wife and stay at home mother of four (13, 11 and 1 year old twins) living rurally west central MN. We have four dogs, four cats and now a dozen chicks! My aunt had chickens when I was younger and I've wanted them ever since. I love animals and I like to find ways for my family to be self sustainable in healthy ways. We garden, hunt and fish a great deal in our spare time. After researching and planning extensively I convinced hubs to take the dive and let me acquire a small laying flock. For weather and the sake of the kids playing outside often I was focused on finding winter hardy, friendly and heavy layers. Our coop is under construction and will ultimately be just 6x8 so ordering a large number or paying a lot for a small number from a hatchery didn't seem like a very good idea. We were able to first locate someone locally selling straight run Easter Eggers (4), Silver Laced Wyandottes (2) and Welsummers (4). Those are three weeks old now. Just last Sunday I also found someone selling month old Speckled Sussex pullets (the breed at the absolute top of my list) so we picked up a couple of those too.


I'm excited to talk to others here who are as enthusiastic as I've become lol. If I'm being serious now, it's bordering on obsession and everyone in my family is sick of me going on and on about everything chicken. It's clear I needed a new outlet with those who actually understand. I hope I have finally found "my people" e


(I have a lengthy gender thread full of pictures but will truncate them into just a couple for sharing sake!)

You will have a beautiful flock!! U might be not to far from me! We r in western central MN too!

 

[Messica]

 

[Messica]

I am about a half hour north of Alexandria!

 

[KlopKlop]

Good morning - I'm overrun with eggs as well!
How long will you keep eggs to sell? I keep them for ten days then feed them back to the hens.

Would it work to set eggs and sell chicks locally?

We don't sell anything older than a week. they are obviously still fine to eat, we just like to advertise that we sell only the freshest of fresh. The 'older' ones we eat ourselves, feed to the dogs, give to friends, or feed back to the flock after boiling and mashing. Until just the last month we have had never had issues with having too much. we are just in a gap right now where the hens are laying more due to the nice weather and the farmers market not starting yet.

As far as selling chick, I have no idea what the specific rules are but I would suspect that if you are going to do a decent number you would need to be tested and certified (NPIP?)

I haven't looked into that at all as we don't do it

Thanks!

I'm a wife and stay at home mother of four (13, 11 and 1 year old twins) living rurally west central MN. We have four dogs, four cats and now a dozen chicks! My aunt had chickens when I was younger and I've wanted them ever since. I love animals and I like to find ways for my family to be self sustainable in healthy ways. We garden, hunt and fish a great deal in our spare time. After researching and planning extensively I convinced hubs to take the dive and let me acquire a small laying flock. For weather and the sake of the kids playing outside often I was focused on finding winter hardy, friendly and heavy layers. Our coop is under construction and will ultimately be just 6x8 so ordering a large number or paying a lot for a small number from a hatchery didn't seem like a very good idea. We were able to first locate someone locally selling straight run Easter Eggers (4), Silver Laced Wyandottes (2) and Welsummers (4). Those are three weeks old now. Just last Sunday I also found someone selling month old Speckled Sussex pullets (the breed at the absolute top of my list) so we picked up a couple of those too.

I'm excited to talk to others here who are as enthusiastic as I've become lol. If I'm being serious now, it's bordering on obsession and everyone in my family is sick of me going on and on about everything chicken. It's clear I needed a new outlet with those who actually understand. I hope I have finally found "my people"

(I have a lengthy gender thread full of pictures but will truncate them into just a couple for sharing sake!)

great flock! welcome!

 

[KlopKlop]

@mnbrewdude how are your chicks liking the outdoors? I imagine with this weather they have been venturing outside some?

 

[mnbrewdude]

@mnbrewdude
 how are your chicks liking the outdoors? I imagine with this weather they have been venturing outside some?

They are loving it! I've been opening the pop door every morning. They are slow to come out but end up staying out all day. They immediately took to the nipple waterer and the last few nights I haven't even turned the light on. They are feathering out nicely and are acclimating to their new home very well

 

[scandiafowl]

Good morning!

 

[scandiafowl]

@Minniechickmama

Good guidance. I've gone back ten days, The rest we eat or feed back.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

You and me both with eggs coming out our ears! The farmers market starts in 2 weeks and the girls are ramping up! Passing the 3 dozen a day mark and climbing! I sell about 10 dozen a week right now and that isn't cutting it! We sent a message to all customers that if they refer a friend they (and their friend) get half off. Hopefully will help us get some eggs out of the fridge and maybe gain a few new regulars.

I am really excited for the market. It is so much fun plus I'm excited to see how my plants do! My tomatoes are huge, my peppers not so much. They are taking their time I guess! Oh well maybe in 2-3 weeks they will take off.

How much do you sell your eggs for? I feel like I'm selling mine too cheap, but it pays for all of their feed, treats, and a few others things I may need.

Just popping in to say hi! I'm new here and it was suggested I join my state's thread. I look forward to getting to know you all

Welcome! You have some of my favorite breeds! I have a pair of SLW hens right now and love them. I also have some EE, SS, GLW, and BR chicks right now about 2-3 wks old. I think I'll replace some of my older hens next year with Wellies and Buckeyes.

 

[NathanZee]

Just popping in to say hi! I'm new here and it was suggested I join my state's thread. I look forward to getting to know you all

Welcome!