Should I start a small poultry farm? Ameraucanas?

[PapaRo]

Next summer I would like to build and start a little poultry farm with about 100 hens or so. I’m needing a retirement business that keeps me busy. My thought was to have about 20 each: Wheaten, blue maple, white, black ameraucanas with a large assortment of different roosters for breading. I would probably want to strategize on the colors of ameraucanas and the breeds of roosters etc. I would sell chicks and fertilized eggs etc. (pure breeds and Easter Eggers) I have everything I need to start just need to build the compound and buy the stock to start. I would like to be profitable... what y’all think?

 

[WILIFORD]

I'm a few years from retirement myself. It sounds like a great idea, as long as you remember to enjoy it. I'm sure you've thought about this, but try to find away to streamline the tasks and set it up in away you're not married to it, so if you wanted to take off for a few days and enjoy yourself, that you can do that.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

A while ago I wanted to make some extra money by running my own business, but I didn’t know what to do. I knew what I was interested in, but if I was going to invest in something, I wanted ensure a high probability of success.
I used the Google Trends website to find out what people were searching for most online. For example, if I go on google trends and search “fresh eggs” it tells me that this is searched for most in the state of Wyoming, but there’s also a high demand in Oregon. It’s extremely detailed, right down to the city. It also says the specific search “where can I get fresh eggs” is on the rise. It tells you any searches related to “fresh eggs”.
I can’t tell you enough how valuable this information was for me. I spent untold hours figuring out how to find the specific info I needed and analyzing data. It took me about a month to start getting sales in a business I previously didn’t even know existed, and I used no social media. You can literally find out anything you want to know when it comes to demand, right down to the types of breeds and colors most popular in your area, and soooo much more. Whether you’re selling online or not, it gives you a good idea of what people want in certain areas.
Sounds like a very exciting time in your life, good luck!

 

[LaFleche]

Might be a good idea to start smaller and see what the demand will be.

You could increase the amount of birds any time by hatching your own if everything turned out to your satisfaction. But having to feed and care for 100 birds is no minor task and the bills might pile up quickly.

 

[PapaRo]

Very good advice ... time off is very important

 

[Stepnout]

I think the best investment would be automated doors these would be a number 1 priority. Second would be feeders and waterers capable of multiple day capacities. As stated this will allow you to get away if need be. It will remove the burden from having to ask and depend on others. I would assume if you had to leave or got sick for a few days taking care of 100 birds could go south pretty fast.
I say this because I just retired in December 2019 and my 88 year old father and 85 year old mom have become quite frail I take dad to dialysis twice a week plus all there Dr. appointments, dropping meals etc. COVID-19 hasn’t helped.
I‘m not trying to discourage you. It sounds like a fantastic goal just being prepared for some unplanned events would help.

 

[cmfarm]

Just some food for thought: Ameraucanas are one of the few breeds that people really make a HUGE deal about color. Non-standard and mixed colored birds are considered easter Eggers.

 

[CluckerFamily]

We are all supports/enablers and we will never say no to a small poultry farm. Good luck!!

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Might be a good idea to start smaller and see what the demand will be.

You could increase the amount of birds any time by hatching your own if everything turned out to your satisfaction. But having to feed and care for 100 birds is no minor task and the bills might pile up quickly.

I agree 100%. That is a LOT of chickens and a LOT of chicks. And Ameracaunas (sp) are on about every corner these days it seems. I see SOOO many people that breed them on different FB groups. (And I mean TRUE Ameracaunas AND EE's both.) So I don't think there would be as much demand as there might be for some other more rare breeds. And many people like to have/get multiple breeds and it is generally easier to get several different breeds at once at a feed store or ordering from a hatchery that carries a bunch of different breeds. Chicks are also generally cheaper from a hatchery or feed store than they are from a breeder. And most people are CHEAP. Why spend say $10 or $20 a chick, when they can get the same kind of chick somewhere else for $5 or less? Shipping eggs and chicks would also COST you money. I'm not saying "don't do it". I'm just saying rather than jumping in with both feet, mabe wade in first and see how it goes.

 

[PapaRo]

Would be starting with a 15 bird setup.