profitable chicken breed

[blue90292]

because you guys are cold, i would go with cochins. but to make it special, i would find a breeder with special colors that you normally don't see, get their eggs and breed those. that way you have a niche.

but if you want to sell them fast, the buff orps or rocks, being so well known, will be sought after more quickly.

the real question is, where do you plan on selling them? if its at your local feed store, ask the guy at the store what sells best and if you could become his supplier.

in the end, though, if there's a particular breed that you like, breeding those, whether they're easy to sell or not, will keep you in peace. breeding birds that you're not very fond of, just because they sell, will sooner or later feel like a burden since you won't be enjoying the birds yourself.

jm2c

michele

 

[greyfields]

Have you considered getting hens that lay golden eggs? You're sure to profit.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

My opinion would be to raise cold hardy standard heritage breeds.
There may be some people who want exotic breeds, but for the most part, people want egg production.

You might try one breed of exotic to see how they sell. The exotics are like fashion. One year their "in" and the next year something else is "in".

I'm not sure about where you live, but here the thing I hear most is: "I want the Reds ones. My Grandma had red chickens and that's what I want." They usually don't have a clue, and some even get the name right, Rhode Island Red, but most just say red chickens, black & white striped chickens, or those yellow ones.

We tell them what the breed is, show them eggs, and give them a quick course in caring for the chickens. We give them our phone number & we have calls regularly from customers with questions. I don't mind answering their questions. They tell all their friends where they got their chickens and we get more business. And they always know they can call if they have a problem.

I have one customer that lives 6 hours away from me & she won't buy any chickens except from me. If she wants something I have recently bought, I tell her so. That way she is informed, so that if something does show up in those birds, she knows it did not come from my flock.

Be honest with your customers, do not overcharge them and you will have more business than you dreamed of.

Jean

DH added "Raise the kind with feathers" Sometimes he is just "not right", but I love him anyway!

 

[chickensrme]

thank you everyone i am prety sure im going to do egg layers. but i am not sure on the breed. I dont want a breed that they sell at the local farm store. im looking for a chicken that is not over advertised and that is good looking at the same time. thanks

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Ask your local farm store what breed is the best seller.
I understand you want different breeds, but if you carry what is most popular, you will have more business.
Breed the best seller & then pick a breed or two that you really like.

Did you check out this website?
http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

I don't remember if it was mentioned in this thread. It is a chart with a lot of info.
Hope this helps, I have the hardest time picking breeds. I like unusual...but I didn't sell many, so I had to go back to the popular breeds. My best sellers are in order: 1. Rhode Island Reds 2. Red Star Sex Link 3. EE 4. Barred Rock & Dominique 5. Buff Orpington 6. Black Sex Link & Black Australorp

Jean