Selling baby chicks.

[farmerlor]

Last year we got into the chick selling business by accident. We ordered the 25 rainbow layer mix from McMurray and the sent us 42 babies!! We didn't have room for them all right then so we waited until they were a little bigger and sure to be healthy and then put an ad in Craigslist. Remember these were various breeds and I had no way of knowing which breed was which beyond the obvious RIRs and some Orps. I was inundated with requests. People just wanted pretty birds that laid pretty eggs! So long after my extra chicks were sold I kept getting requests so I bought another batch, sold them, another batch, and sold them! It was amazing. This year we're going to do it again. It's so much fun and the people who buy from us all tell us how hard it is to raise chicks from the feed store so they really appreciate us keeping them for a few weeks until they're past that danger stage.

 

[yanks26]

How much does it cost to keep them for a couple weeks past that danger phase? I would rather sell them as soon as they hatch lol.

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
I only keep mine for a day or 2 before selling them, just to make sure they are eating and drinking ok and seem healthy !!

Most of the time I ask that people buy at least 2 chicks just to make sure there not alone (chicks/chickens are very social animals)


Think about this also..... pullets getting near laying age (18-30 weeks) can bring you in $10-$15 per bird in some places!!!

 

[farmerlor]

Well, a bag of chick food costs 6 or 7 bucks around here and it usually takes them a couple weeks for 25 babies to finish that first one-the next one goes MUCH faster. So whatever your cost for the chicks plus the cost of the bag of food divided 25 ways and you've got your total outlay not counting your time of course.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

There's not alot of money to be made in it, but if you love the thrill of hatching like I do, then it's worth it. There's alot of expense and panic that goes along with it though, so be prepared for that. It's hard to build a "client base" because chickens live and lay for quite a while. Repeat business is hard to get, unless it's through referrals.

My electric bill is through the roof between the incubators, egg turners, heat lamps, and lights. I normally take pre-orders WITH A DEPOSIT (very important unless you want to get stuck with them) and pray that a) the right amount hatches and b) I can sell the overflow.

Do mixed breeds sell? You BET but you better start with good stock. We have a mix of pure breeds but many are pure barred rocks. I've found most people don't care; they just want a good laying hen. Craig's List is an excellent tool, as is your local paper. You'd be surprised how many people want chickens. I get several calls a day for started pullets, which I don't have. It's much more economical to hatch and go. Even then, unless you're selling a ton, it doesn't pay the bills.

 

[CovenantCreek]

I'm so glad to hear that it's pretty easy to sell chicks/started pullets. I have 2 doz of my home-grown mixes in the bator and 25 white Leghorn pullets on order that I planned to sell as they neared laying age.

Ever since having a couple of yard sales over the summer I've had people asking if my chickens were for sale -- but they weren't looking to give them a good home and a long life. At least I'll probably be able to sell the extra cockerels though.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I think selling started pullets is easier than selling chicks. Just wish I had the room to do it - I think that's where the $$ is.

 

[CovenantCreek]

Quote:
What's the going rate for a started pullet? I know McMurray wants $13 for their sex links, but no price shown for the Leghorns.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I don't know because I don't sell them, but I'd say anywhere from $8-$10 is fair. Maybe higher in some areas but I've had offers for $10.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
you may not want to advertise a product you cannot deliver yet. it's a good way to cut your business very short. start smart.

I run dummy ads to test the market.. I know of some businesses that do it also.. you just have to be discreet.. don't over-commit.. do not offer anything that you cannot deliver..