Point of Lay Hens

[buffy in dallas]

I'm not sure which forum to put this in but I'm sure y'all will let me know...
I have been thinking about starting up a small farm business selling Point of lay hens. I have plenty of experience Hatching and raising chicks but I'm unsure if there is a good market out there for this. What do y'all think. Is this something that people would be interested in?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I haven't done this specifically, but pullets I have sold have generally not made a profit, considering all costs incurred raising them.
Look at your local market, and figure it out. Producing some breeds will bring in more money that others, so see if that's a possibility. Shipping out of state costs more, in health testing and shipping.
Having people come to your farm is dangerous from a biosecurity standpoint, and not allowed for NPIP, at least here.
Mary

 

[aart]

I'm not sure which forum to put this in but I'm sure y'all will let me know...
I have been thinking about starting up a small farm business selling Point of lay hens. I have plenty of experience Hatching and raising chicks but I'm unsure if there is a good market out there for this. What do y'all think. Is this something that people would be interested in?

It could be a good thing, depends on the market in your area.
You could end up with some cash in your pocket, or a whole bunch of birds.
Will you be hatching or buying sexed pullet chicks and growing them out?

 

[NoodlesMama]

I thought of doing this myself not so much for they money just because I enjoy brooding chicks and watching them grow. I decided against it because as other people stated I could end up with a lot of birds left over and I can’t keep more.
I would ask around your local area see if it’s something that people have interest in. If you get interest try to figure out what breeds would be most profitable, when people would want them and how much they would be willing to pay. If you do go with it there are some good apps out there to help you track profits and expenses especially where chickens are concerned, they will help you know just how profitable you are.

lastly good luck I hope you live in an area that has lots of demand and you are able to build a small business for yourself.

 

[aart]

If you get interest try to figure out what breeds would be most profitable, when people would want them and how much they would be willing to pay.

....and get them to pay a deposit up front.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Knowing your general location might help a little with this. If you are in the USA I'll suggest chatting with your county extension office. Part of their job is to help businesses. If you are somewhere else you might find a part of your agricultural ministry that could help.

One place I'd want help is in rules and regulations. Which ones apply to you? Often you can be exempt depending on the size of your operation. As long as you don't cross state lines and you are "small" Federal regulations probably won't apply in the US, but each state has its own requirements. Cities or counties might also. I'd want to know regulations before I went too far.

Another thing is finding your market niche. There can be a big difference in trying to sell purebred show-quality championship chickens to a barnyard mix both in price and ease of selling. Hatchery quality purebred POL pullets could sell for more than a barnyard mix. Or you may decide on going for something exotic, anything from a "weird-looking" decorative chicken like a Silkie or Polish to maybe a green egg layer. I don't know how you could determine how much of a market there is where you are for any of the exotics or what prices you could get.

Are you planning on this being a regular business with regular hatching or will it be a very few times a year?

Many places have chicken swaps or chicken auctions. I'd be careful of these because of the biohazards involved, but you can go to these and see what is selling and what prices people get. POL pullets are often in demand. Another possibility would be to find your state or country thread in the "Where am I? Where are you!" section. If your thread is active you can chat with your neighbors to gain local knowledge.

What are planning on doing with the males that hatch? That may have an effect on what is cost-effective for you. If you are selling them that might affect regulations. Some people eat the males they hatch and sell the pullets, often getting enough to offset the cost of feed.

There are a lot of different aspects to this, scale being an important one. Good luck!

 

[buffy in dallas]

Thanks for the ideas and tips!!! I would be buying sexed chicks from a hatchery. There is a guy who does this about 75 miles from us. google chickenville.

 

[buffy in dallas]

Thanks Ridgerunner, lots of stuff to think about and research! I'm in Tyler, Tx at the moment but will be moving back home to Dallas soon. Well, north of the Dallas metroplex. I'm hoping to build this into my retirement job with small but full time hatching. I will start with sexed chicks but I can always eat any males I get. I will definitely get some "exotics". I want blue egg layers.

 

[Mrs. K]

There was a lady not far from me, that did this, she loved raising chicks. I know that I had a wreck with a coon, and bought some birds off of her. But they were not real expensive, so don't know how she did financially with it. And I only bought once...