Rasing pullets to sell

[mamato3]

Hope this is in the right place
So my hubby has this crazy idea to sell started pullets. He found its cheaper to buy like 100 chicks. So he is like hmm ii could sell those for $5 at 4 to 6 weeks then $10 to $15 for 4 to 6 months old and week keep the ones for ourselves that have the best personalty of course. We could get 100 pullets for $164 1 breed or 4 breeds for $174 so what do you think? How much does 1 chick cost for 4weeks to 6 months . There is a demand for chicks that are out of the brooder im just not sure how big a demand. And started pullets always sell. We were going to go to the swaps and sell them and craigslist

 

[jerseygirl1]

Great Idea, I think - as long as you can sell them all - if not, you are stuck with them

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

If you could offer spring pullets instead of chicks you would do very well. I sold 16wk. olds for $10.00 to $12.00ea. with no problems. Hens brought $15.00ea. They were listed on Craigslist and were gone in a matter of hours. In the fall/winter you would be lucky though to get $5.00ea. for a good young laying hen. Seems the majority of folks don't want to feed chickens during the winter. I guess a lot would also depend on the demand in your area.

 

[crittersitter]

I bought my 8 week olds off craigslist for 10 bucks each. I was so happy to find started pullets because I did not want to deal with chicks. They were old enough to move right into the coop. Good luck. I think it's a great idea but get a variety.

 

[mistyfeather]

that a great idea, that is what i did when i got my chicks i got extra rir's that i could sell as started pullets i had some one that i didnt even know ask if he could buy 10 of my birds

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I normally charge $4-$4.50 for day olds and go up .50 each week.

 

[BeccaOH]

Yes, there is definitely a demand for started pullets. If you have the space for brooding (and the patience), I say try it. If you can get them on grass part of the day, you'll save some in feed bills. Buy them sexed or you'll have at least 50 roos to dispose of.

 

[KKatknap]

Quote:
I ditto this.

I bought my first six pullets as started 6-8 week olds. Since I didn't know much at that time, I was afraid to try to raise chicks. I paid $10-$15 apiece for them, and I was happy with it. I also recommend a variety - I wanted a few different kinds, and the lady had all the ones I wanted. I bought them and all the supplies from her. She even had a couple of chicken tractors available that her husband had built. Bought one of those, too.

If you or your husband is good with carpentry, that's a great way to go!

Good luck!

 

[mamato3]

ok know you guys got my wheels turning. We got room to brood. My idea is a small area to brood for the 1 day up to 6 weeks maybe the size of 5 foot by 2 feet inside the bigger brooding area the bigger area is for 6 weeks up to 5 months and would have yard access and will be 6 to 10 foot by 10 foot that would give me 10 foot by 10 ft area for my laying hens. And if dont go then i will have more room for the hens

 

[thedeacon]

Last Oct I bought 25 babies from McMurry. Received 28, 1 dead so 27. Raised them through our -20 and several snowstorms. Unheated building. By the end of March I had sold all15 and kept the rest. Averaged $10 each. Broke even if consider the ones I kept. Never lost any after the one on delivery. I had much more poop than expected as with the weather they were confined to the building for as much as a week at a time. Extra feed also do to the cold and no grass. However, if you are in a warmer climate you may be able to make a buck or 2. Better have a market also. Could get stuck with a bunch if over buy. I do believe early spring is the time to be selling pullets as people really don't want to have to raise baby chicks and then they don't lay during the winter.