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I have the bantam Cochins mostly. So many pens of those and too many extras but everything goes with a rooster that is for sale and everyone just wants hens. My novelty birds are those and Silkies but I do not raise Silkies too much. I think I have 2 chicks growing up right now, a blue and a buff.
I also have a few d'Uccles. Cute little birds and just pets for me though I may sell some eggs from them but I have 6 extra roos in them and won't butcher those little tykes.
My laying flock needs to be built back up. I have been trying for about 8 months to grow up more layers but everyone has been buying all my young pullets and I have stopped selling them. I need more egg layers for selling eggs. People stop by, call or email me every day wanting hens. Not chicks, mind you, but mature pullets and I am tired of raising them up and only getting a pittance of what it really costs me.
Everything I hatch out has a roo with it like my BLRW, Marans and Brahmas but no one wants roos so I am keeping the hens from now on and butchering the roos. It makes a win-win for me as I have to feed my family. I have lots and lots of pullets growing up but they are now for me. I am not saving anymore for anyone. If they haven't gotten them by now then they are not going anywhere. I like my laying flock to be about 150 hens and I have only about 60, if you can imagine that.
Now I also have about 70 roos around 2-3 months old that will need to go in the freezer soon. Just need a bit more meat on them, though I have 20 that can go right now. I have male ducks that will go to freezer camp, too.
I have a lot of Ameraucanas growing up in blue, lavender and splits but have half of those in roos and everyone again wants only pullets and leave me to deal with the roos. If I have to do that then I am keeping the pullets. they are more valuable to me as layers than as a few dollars I get for all the money it cost me to buy the eggs, incubate them, feed them and clean their brooders. There really is no money in the chicken business and I have gotten burned out from hearing people gasp at me selling a young laying hen for $20. Next year I may have more to sell but for now I am not selling hens without roos.
Next year I hope to sell Guinea eggs and lavender keets. I am selling the last of my Pearl babies tomorrow. I don't even advertise anymore and still get a lot of inquiries. I am happy for it but at the same time I can only part with what I don't need.
That reminds me, I need to go update my For Sale page. Most of that stuff is sold.
Gosh, I am long winded......