Trouble selling mixed breed laying hens in the Spring?

[abooth]

I have a mixed flock of laying hens. I want to let a hen hatch some eggs this fall to sell laying hens next spring. I am interested to see what the different mixes look like but I want to be able to sell the extras. Is there a market for mutt hens? Does it make a difference if I know what 2 breeds it is a mix of?

 

[AHappychick]

generally there is a market for all, mixed and pure. The roos maybe will have to go to freezer camp but the hens should sell well if priced right. (dont ask me about pricing though seems many people think I price to high

 

[FenDruadin]

I don't know if there's a market for it or not. I've found with ducks that most people don't really care very much the breed, but with chickens it may matter more, as people tend to want them for eggs (so they'll want to know if they'll be good layers) and also tend to know more about them (a duck is a duck is a duck to most folks, even those who know about chickens).

Why don't you post a query on craigslist? I did this with ducklings before I even had an incubator, to see if there would be interest. I was honest about what I was doing, and simply said that I wanted to find out who would buy them if they were available. I let everyone know that I'd be happy to put them on a waiting list and give them first dibs (and a slight discount) on my first batch if they would respond to my query. I had about three responses to one ad, which I thought was pretty good given that I wasn't actually even selling anything, so I figured that meant there was a market.

Good luck with it!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

I've sold many mutt chickens - some folks do not care if it is a mutt, (those ones usually want a dual purpose bird, and are not picky about genetics).

some of the mutts even turn out to be so pretty that you'll have folks ask you if you have any others like it. It helps to know what went into them (parent birds) because a lot of people will ask, even if it doesn't decide their buying or not, they just like to know. (witness all the posts on here asking "What breed is my chicken?"

)

I price lower for mutts, but still I sold enough (made it up in volume) to pay my feed bills all summer (and buy enough grain for the donkeys this winter).

Oh, and if a particular mix consistantly hatches out very pretty chicks - then get more of those parent birds and start a "project"

meri

 

[kelliepulido]

I have to agree that most who have responded to my adds on craigslist really didn't caare what breed they were.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Any hens go like hotcakes here doesn't matter the breed, roosters however not so much

I end up stuffing roosters in peoples arms free at the end of swaps if they didn't sell

 

[pbjmaker]

I agree - whenever I have posted on craigslist the mixed breed hens go fast, the roosters I have to pretty much give away around here.

I have one lady that wants me to inform her whenever I have more of my sex-linked chicks too.

Most people are after the egg -layers.