Thinking of becoming a small breeder

[Nicole01]

Let's face it, I love chickens! . I'd love to pick a breed and become a breeder in the next year or two. I'd like to research as much as possible before getting into this.

I will either need to buy eggs and hatch or buy a breeding pair from different lines. I will not breed brother and sister.

There is a demand for chickens here. I was wondering what breed is the most popular? I'd like to try and sell nice quality chicks as well.

I talked this over with my husband last night and he was actually all for me doing this. This includes keeping a rooster!!! I won't buy a rooster until our fence is in, we are fencing our 4 acre lot. I free range and don't want a wondering rooster.

I was thinking of a true Americauna, I'm in love with the breed and egg color.

What do you think? I'd be most likely selling on Craigslist or hatching eggs on eBay.

 

[Roxannemc]

I havent bred chickens yet but have bred dogs and some things still apply.
Get the best line you can afford.That way you can get ppl to buy yours first b/c of the background and good looks...not the run of the mill,
if prices are fairly similar.You will get a good reputation for nice chickens.Make sure you like the pairs looks if they are grown Best lookers you can get.
When you advertise eggs /chicks later you will want a pick of a good looking pair to draw ppl to your eggs/chicks.
Also if you get into it you will want the best later anyway so start out paying a little more for eggs or chicken pair whatever you do.
You will be happy you did in the end

That said my opinion is I wouldnt let a good pair roam without a chicken wire roof over them IE a run or tractor coop/ run, until i had my flock built up anyway
Free range is good but with hawks able to get them free range might be cost reductive! (unless you dont have preditor problems)
I think Ameruanca or EE's might be a good idea as everyone wants to see their hen lay an colored Easter egg but also go look online BYC Ebay and see what sells best not whats listed but what actually SELLS and how much. Might help you get an idea of what to buy also and waht the profit might be.
GOOD LUCK!