I have a friend who lives about 10 miles from my house that sells about three dozen eggs a day for $3 a dozen. I thought it would be a good idea to get in on the business but add duck and bantam eggs in the mix too. I already have 1 7.5 year old EE who lays a big green every other day, a 1 year old Red Star who lays a big brown egg every day, a 1 year old Jap. and one cochin bantam who lay one small white egg every other day, and 1 6 month old BO and RIR that lay one bantam sized egg (
) every day. I can get 11 more chickens so I can hopefully get a dozen eggs a day. Do you think that would be enough chickens to get a dozen eggs a day? I also have 9 young duck hens, but only 2 lay so far. My ducks and geese free range on the pond during the day, but I am not allowed to let my chickens out. My dad gets mad because they poop on the pavement, and kick the wood chips everywhere. We have about 0.5 acres fenced off with grass, plants, trees, and wood chips. Then we have 3.5 acres fenced off for a horse, but we no longer have one. And finally we have 1 acre of pond and the land surrounding it. I was thinking that if there was a way to keep them from slipping through the wholes and flying over the fence then they could free range in the horse pasture. My only worry is predators, such as hawks and coyotes during the day. They would be locked in the pen they currently stay all day at night. My other option is to expand their cage, but even then, it is in the sun most of the day and is rather small. What do you guys think about free ranging? I also have a question about multiple roosters. I have one OEG bantam roo right now, but I really want my standard hens' eggs to be fertilized too. I have had my heart set on a BO rooster, but I am worried he would injure/kill my bantam roo. Would they fight, or would they just work it out and get along? I am also wondering how much to sell the eggs for. does $3 for a dozen standard chicken eggs, $4 for a dozen duck eggs, and $2.50 for a dozen bantam eggs sound good? I already know I have several interested neighbors. If demand gets too high, then I could just hatch more chickens, if I can get a standard roo. I was also wondering what breeds I should get. I want high egg production and a variety of egg colors. I was thinking,= RIR's, BO's, White leghorns, Black Austrolops, Barred Rocks, and Whidottes (spelt that wrong). What breeds would be best to fit my needs? Thank you! I might come up with more questions later, sorry!

