Number of birds needed to start breed in the US?

[Hennypen]

How many hens and roosters would it take to import a new breed into the US?

1) assuming there won't be anymore imported

2) assuming there will be a 2nd importation

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

It only takes 1 hen & 1 roo to start.

 

[Camelot Farms]

If I were bringing in a new breed I would want 12 hens and 4 roosters.

 

[Hennypen]

Quote:
That is a little pricey.

But, could it successfully be done in stages to spread the cost out?

 

[Camelot Farms]

Sure it could.

But if you brought birds in 4 times, you would have 4 sets of paper work, 4 x's the work, 4 x's the stress... etc.

 

[Hennypen]

Quote:
Just trying to make it doable. Husband would never go for that much expense on chickens. lol And I don't know that there would be that many quality birds (at least the quality I'd want) available at the same time. Still in the planning stages.

 

[Camelot Farms]

I'll be watching to see how you are making out with your project!

 

[joe17]

It would depend on how often. The chicken lays too. If you would get a breed that lays maybe one egg a week, then you wouldn't be able to hatch many so you would need more hens. If the breed lays eggs almost everyday, get a pair and hatch every egg layed. In general, I would order a trio and hatch like crazy. It's too expensive to buy a lot.

 

[Qi Chicken]

Maybe you could find someone to go in with you. I am looking into Dorkings and am not finding the names of breeders in the US although I know that they are more common in Europe. Maybe find someone to help or even get a different breed to bring over at the same time? If you pick Dorkings let me know!

 

[ShrekDawg]

i agree that you would probably only need a couple, at least at first. also like someone said, maybe find someone to go into it with you. good luck with your new project and please let us know what you decide to do and keep us updated! i think its a great idea, good luck!