So I got myself into a problem 😆

[Gigachad poultry]

I don't have any of the roosters but will get some!

Wait didn't you just say you had like 5 roosters? Or do you mean the chicks are all hens?

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Wait didn't you just say you had like 5 roosters? Or do you mean the chicks are all hens?

I don't have any pictures of the roosters! Sorry for the misunderstanding - those chicks are laying hens now. Just for reverence of what the chicks I hatch look like.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

I don't have any pictures of the roosters! Sorry for the misunderstanding - those chicks are laying hens now. Just for reverence of what the chicks I hatch look like.

Ooooooh okay that makes sense! They are really pretty!

 

[TexasBlues]

If you are selling purebreds (especially if you get NPIP certified and can ship) you can make some money. I have been breeding and hatching Silkies, Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers, and Sebrights for the last 2 years and this last year I made a gross of a little over 2K. Not to brag....because I can't brag because I spent about all of that on getting my Holland Lops lol. But you can at least break even.

What all is involved with getting NPIP certified? The local farm I got my hatching eggs from was certified and I chose them over the uncertified, random barnyard mixes I found online.

 

[Acre4Me]

NPIP is required to ship live day olds. NPIP is a process to get done with a cost associated with it. It is per state. USPS is the only shipper of live birds, and they require NPIP. FWIW, USPS no longer reimburses chick losses, and their service is less reliable. With this in mind, I’d look into a more local market to begin an to learn the ins/outs of this endeavor. - Getting NPIP still has value bc you are going above and beyond.

Find a reputable local breeder/hatchery you can drive to. Maybe you can drive to Meyer. But, although I’m Ohio, Meyer is not the closest hatchery to me. I’ve driven to Meyer a few times, but I use a smaller hatchery most of the time. You likely have one closer to you, and you may be able to purchase fertile eggs from them too. Usually this may be a cheaper option, and chicks are healthier not going through shipping stress.

Find a decent market - meaning, will selling POL pullets be your best market? It might! POL are usually 12-16 weeks old and do not require chick care. Lots of people just want chickens and eggs, not waiting 4-5 months for eggs or any surprise males. Maybe it’s selling breeding trios or groups of an attractive breed.

Good luck

 

[Major_in_MS]

One thing that might help you with vacations and such trips would be to find a local teenager to help you out with the chickens.

Similar to having a teen babysit or cut grass on a regular basis, you could hire somebody to help you once a week or so with your chicken tasks such as feeding, watering, cleaning out coops, collecting eggs, etc. Once you see that they are responsible and competent then they could be trusted to check on and care for your chickens while you are away.

You could check with local high school Ag clubs and 4H/FFA and such.

 

[lomine]

I'd try not to get your hopes up on making much money. Mixes don't make much money, even grown out pullets. I've sold a few chicks and pullets here and there and it barely covered feed costs. Mine were all blue or green layers because my roosters were an AM and legbar (pure for blue egg gene) so they were slightly more interesting than a barnyard mix. That helped with selling.

I would also keep the local economy in mind. I tried to sell some of my extra ducks this past fall. These were purebred hens that were already laying, about 6/7 months old. Was asking $30 a piece, which I was able to get without issue a couple years ago when I sold other ducks. I was able to sell only one. Everyone else that contacted me wanted them either for really cheap or for free. Also having trouble selling some goat wethers that usually sell fairly quickly. Not a lot of people with extra cash to spend these days.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I can't

Why not? Are you planning to keep your hens for as long as they live?

 

[GirlsHuntToo]

Why not? Are you planning to keep your hens for as long as they live?

Yes they are my babies! I get too attached.

 

[homesteading101]

Yes they are my babies! I get too attached.

You should take it slow and not go full tilt. Take the advice given here and sell the eggs too. This will be classified as a hobby for you for quite some time until you can really get into gear shall you decide to. Took me a couple years and it's good side money but certainly not a base income, my food plots provide that instead.