Selling Chickens

[Ardella Crawford]

I think I need to sell off my chickens and ducks, and not try to keep them any longer. What/where is the best way to advertise them, and what are good ways to ensure that good people get them? Also, what is a reasonable price to ask for chickens/ducks that are laying well? I also have two drakes and some roosters that are a year old and then a few others that were hatched this year. Would I need to expect to give them away rather than sell them?

Appreciate any advice. I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania, just in case anyone reads this who might be interested in any of these birds.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry to hear that you need to get out of the poultry keeping.
Post some picture of your chickens in your posting.
You should also consider posting on your State thread. This way you target readers in your general closer vicinity.
Coincidently, there are some postings there about selling items, including chickens, so read. And ask what prices are going for your area.
As to drakes, and roosters,, Yes you would have to give them away in most cases. Offer them as a bonus to those purchasing your hens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pennsylvania-unite.248345/page-8250


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[2 Acres]

I think I need to sell off my chickens and ducks, and not try to keep them any longer. What/where is the best way to advertise them, and what are good ways to ensure that good people get them? Also, what is a reasonable price to ask for chickens/ducks that are laying well? I also have two drakes and some roosters that are a year old and then a few others that were hatched this year. Would I need to expect to give them away rather than sell them?

Appreciate any advice. I live in Southwestern Pennsylvania, just in case anyone reads this who might be interested in any of these birds.

Local Craigslist? You go to the prospective seller. If you don't like what you see, walk away.

 

[SnackMeat]

I've seen everything from $20-80 for laying hens and ducks. Actually, scratch that, some Indio Gigante hens I've seen are $200+. It really comes down to breed and age. Basic ones like cinnamon queens aren't going to go for much (not to mention their shorter laying expectation because of reproductive issues.)

Backyard mixes are on the lower end. Even pure bred might be on the lower end. It also comes down to your region and trends. Where I'm at, everyone and their mother hopped on the Ayam Cemani trend so there's a bunch that are still priced (imo) unreasonably considering the supply.

I would suggest taking really good pictures and writing really good descriptions of their personality, how they interact with the flock and humans or other animals, broody/mom history, and how often they lay.


You can also consider trading but that would depend on what you would be open to. I could conceivably see certain house goods, or homestead type things like canned or dry food (if you trust someone else's prep.)

I don't think you have to give them away, but if you have to do it quickly you will most likely find yourself either having to offer a hell of a deal (and you could possibly do a bulk everyone goes together type thing) or sell who you can, and give the rest away.

 

[Ardella Crawford]

Sorry to hear that you need to get out of the poultry keeping.
Post some picture of your chickens in your posting.
You should also consider posting on your State thread. This way you target readers in your general closer vicinity.
Coincidently, there are some postings there about selling items, including chickens, so read. And ask what prices are going for your area.
As to drakes, and roosters,, Yes you would have to give them away in most cases. Offer them as a bonus to those purchasing your hens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pennsylvania-unite.248345/page-8250


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you for that advice! Sounds good. I am not at all happy about this. It's mostly for my husband, who can't help me with their care right now, and doesn't like them as much as I do anyway. I am particularly grateful that you included the state thread, as I didn't have a clue where to look for it. I don't come to Backyard Chickens very often for lack of time.

 

[Ardella Crawford]

I've seen everything from $20-80 for laying hens and ducks. Actually, scratch that, some Indio Gigante hens I've seen are $200+. It really comes down to breed and age. Basic ones like cinnamon queens aren't going to go for much (not to mention their shorter laying expectation because of reproductive issues.)

Backyard mixes are on the lower end. Even pure bred might be on the lower end. It also comes down to your region and trends. Where I'm at, everyone and their mother hopped on the Ayam Cemani trend so there's a bunch that are still priced (imo) unreasonably considering the supply.

I would suggest taking really good pictures and writing really good descriptions of their personality, how they interact with the flock and humans or other animals, broody/mom history, and how often they lay.


You can also consider trading but that would depend on what you would be open to. I could conceivably see certain house goods, or homestead type things like canned or dry food (if you trust someone else's prep.)

I don't think you have to give them away, but if you have to do it quickly you will most likely find yourself either having to offer a hell of a deal (and you could possibly do a bulk everyone goes together type thing) or sell who you can, and give the rest away.

Thanks much! All good ideas. I live in a rural area, so I don't think I can ask a lot, but this helps, and some of them are very good layers.

 

[Ardella Crawford]

Local Craigslist? You go to the prospective seller. If you don't like what you see, walk away.

Yes, thank you! Craigslist is what I was thinking, and I was thinking it would be a good idea to deliver them.

 

[SnackMeat]

If you're in a rural area you might see if there are any teachers in the area. My area is semi-rural and I know a teacher who does the whole batch eggs every year thing from her flock and then takes the chicks home. You can also search for who is selling eggs as they might be interested in taking on more egg layers though you probably won't get someone like that to take a whole flock.