Sought after chicken breeds

[ZoomuKeeper]

I am a one year chicken farmer. I only have pure bloods. What are the most sought after breed that people look for most often? I will be selling hens and roosters once I get my numbers up and I am trying to get ideas on what breeds would be the most lucrative.

 

[tacothechicken]

Depends where you live my area is large fowl layers like Orps, Australorps, Brahma and Rocks, along whith fancies such as Silkies, polish and Americaunas and Easter Eggers but it depends on your location really. I have heard people struggle to find breeds like Orpingtons, Silkies, and Cochin but where I live you can find them at almost any feed store :/ so id look toward your local area breeders and see what they focus on

 

[ZoomuKeeper]

I just bought 12 Ayam Cerami chicks and 12 sumatra. And I have a few other very nice breeds that seem to be pretty rare around here

 

[The Moonshiner]

With the get rich quick breeds it's all about timing.
You have to get on board ahead of everyone else to make the big $$$.
Like the ACs when they were first released sure they were fetching good money but as many found out if you didn't get them when they were first released by the time you raised the chicks then built up numbers and then started selling every other tom, dick and hairball was also selling them.
The market gets flooded and the bottom falls out of their value.
Last month I went to an auction and some AC hens went for $12 each but 10 minutes later some barred rock hens sold for $15 each.
So why location does matter so does timing.
Moral of the story find the breeds you enjoy because chickens aren't lucrative.
In my area over the long haul gamefowl have always done decent.

 

[ZoomuKeeper]

I would not think a chicken was worth more than 15 dollars, especially a bird that really has no other purpose except being ornamental. So far I have made a good living off eggs and chicks. I have had chickens all my life and I have an animal rehab that I pay for out of my own pocket so I only need enough to sustain the animals. I am retired so this would allow me to bring in more special needs animals that would have been butchered other wise. I never thought about taken them to auction. Only problem with that is I would not know what kind of home they are going to. I see gamefowl being sold for 250 to 400 a rooster. That is ridiculous. I have a sumatra roo in the center that was brought to me by the police. The only bird that was able to be saved from a cock fighting ring bust. He is doing very well. His feathers are growing back in nicely and his slashes have healed. He is actually very sweet and non aggressive so far but that could change during breeding season. They are now on the Threatened species list as are many other breeds of chickens. Even thought they are on the list they are not protected.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I agree with everything @The Moonshiner said.

You may be able to make enough money to buy feed or something, but poultry really are not too good for making any sort of profit unless you own a giant hatchery.

Kudos to you for rescuing animals and rehabilitating them!

 

[ZoomuKeeper]

I guess I am living a pipe dream wanting to save all the animals when reality I can only save a few. I hate turning away an animal in need. It is very hard and heart wrenching

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I guess I am living a pipe dream wanting to save all the animals when reality I can only save a few. I hate turning away an animal in need. It is very hard and heart wrenching

I'm on the same boat as you! I'm a vegetarian, so I literally try to save everything.

You have no idea how many baby birds and other abandoned critters we have raised, plus all of our rescue pets!

 

[ZoomuKeeper]

I am vegan 100%. I grew up with chickens and have always had them but the past year it has become my business. I call it chicken farming. The goes for food for my animals and new enclosures, meds and doc visits

 

[New2Chicks97]

Here the popular and more rare breeds are a lavender Orpington, Birchen Marans, lavender Brahma, true Ameraucanas, Favorelles and Created Cream Legbars. Those are the purebred from local breeders that I see the most of and that charge the most money. I see those go for $12-$18 per chick.