Raising Pullets to sell,Have you done this?

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
Perhaps sell them at 12 weeks? Just an idea.

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Go for it, I know the market here in Ohio isn't all that bad for started pullets. I do the same thing, It helps off-set the cost. I charge $10.00 a pullet and as low as $7.00 if they want 50 or more. They way I look at it, If I sell 50 for $7.00, I get a profit of $100 to go towards off-setting my cost. Not bad if you can do it in large numbers. Start small and get more to sell every year. You will be surprised at how fast you get regulars for "started pullets".

My cost is around $5.50 / pullet. If I raise them myself it's about $3.80 / pullet.

Good luck.

ETA : Mine are 15 weeks when they leave here... they start to lay at 17 weeks.

 

[CovenantCreek]

I've got some Leghorns that I'm raising right now to sell as started pullets. I'm not keeping any kinds of records on their costs since I'm just doing it for fun this time around -- if the market is good that might change how I do things next time. I plan on selling them for $15 each, starting when they hit 16 weeks. I've already told the guys at the co-op, so whenever someone asks them where to get started pullets they'll be given my number. In another month or so I'll start putting signs up wherever I can.

You might want to consider the time of year that you're going to raise them so that you're not trying to sell them at the same time that everyone with chickens has pullets coming into lay. I got my chicks in January with the hope of being one of the first on the block, so to speak. However, it might be even better to time it so you have them coming into lay right around the beginning of the year so that people who sell eggs will see your pullets as a leg up on their business over the alternative of waiting till spring to replenish their flock. Also, since a lot of layers aren't laying in the winter, it could make folks think about investing in some pullets that will start laying before the others get into production. I can't tell you how many people have asked about the winter production of my flock -- and how I'm able to be selling fresh eggs this early in the year.

 

[warmfuzzies]

I think you can do it. I hope so, i plan too! We thought about buying started pullets (About 4 months old) for $10 apeice, and I figrued up that we could raise them alot cheaper then that. So we are giving it a go!

We will pasture them, and unlike some, we have had no problems with predators except a dog we no longer have.

But I guess I am not telling you anything that will help you, you asked for people that had done this, and I havent yet, so I will shut up now!!

 

[AHappychick]

thats what I have been trying to do, but let me tell you it has not worked well. I will be lucky to break even. I thought the same thing, get a bunch, keep the ones I wanted, sell the rest. I raise the price a $1 each week and that does not cover it. A pullet about to lay would cost over $30 a piece. From now on I will be just hatching from my own stock and selling eggs. MUCH easier. I will then sell off what I dont want to keep. I will never raise for people again, too hard. I thought they would sell as chicks and that I would not have them long, but most people want them when they are ready to go outside

 

[animal nut]

Thank you for all of the info on your knowledge.

 

[Huny]

She would be using the brooder/heater/etc. for her own chicks anyway, so to figure in those costs for the ones she sells isn't really a factor.

Also, one never can make money compared to huge corporate giants in the egg/chicken business because individual farmers can't get their feed and supplies wholesale. Basic business principles. But that doesn't mean the selling of those extra chicks can't offset your startup costs for the 10 you have.

 

[kannm]

Go for it! As long as you are not investing a bunch of money you don't have, you will probably be able to figure it out. Also, you just want to offset some of the cost of feeding your hens.

Also, not something anyone has mentioned but an issue that I have been thinking about, people just starting out probably really want chickens that are about to lay, not little chicks they have to keep inside. You would be doing a great service to the community of people that have just become interested in having chickens as they would not have to wait 6 months to get their first egg.

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
That's how I got started. Having zero knowledge about chickens, and even less about raising chicks, my first girls were started pullets from McMurray.

 

[Beauregard]

I think you can do it and make money, not a lot but some,and it would give you a lot of contacts for people who would want eggs and chickens. Good Luck and keep us posted.