Would you buy my Mosaics?

[hysop]

Okay, how many chicks should I get?

I forgot about their shipping. For chicks it's $45 and for a dozen eggs it's $20 (or $45 if you want express shipping).

So with that, then if you get good hatch rates it would be more savings. But I hate gambling

But you need a minimum of 6 chicks according to their policy, but a max of 20 chicks or you'll pay more in shipping than the flat rate of $45

I would get 9 to 12 if you go with live chicks.
I would get 12 eggs if you go with hatching eggs.

But that's your choice I'm too nervous to make it for you haha, too much money on the line.

 

[hysop]

When I was making a decision like this I went with live chicks because my husband didn't want me to gamble on the hatch rate. We got 9 straight runs. We lost four staggered due to cocci and got left with 5. Now I have 3 cockerels and 2 pullets.

You can never plan for what will happen, so with shipping being so expensive, make sure you get what you need and won't need to go back for more.

But this is def a decision to be decided after many days and weighing pros and cons of each.

 

[ChickForLife]

Also not to rain on any parades, but I'd seriously evaluate why and how you're planning on crossing 6-8 varieties of chickens to make something "big and fluffy". You're going to need to do a lot of research into genetics to even begin to understand what you're doing and how to accomplish it.

I have done a lot or research. I have wanted this hybrid for a long time now and have even started trying to make it in the genetics calculator. It didn't work though because it was to much information, and my computer crashed. I have looked into the genetics of other breeds and know a lot. Don't under estimate how much research I can do just based on my posts. I didn't say anything about genetics here so how do you know I didn't do research?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have done a lot or research. I have wanted this hybrid for a long time now and have even started trying to make it in the genetics calculator. It didn't work though because it was to much information, and mt computer crashed. I have looked into the genetics of other breeds and know a lot. Don't under estimate how much research I can do just based on my posts. I didn't say anything about genetics here so how do you know I didn't do research?

I don’t think anybody was trying to mean or say you didn’t. Sometimes things come across wrong on the internet. I think they were just trying to point out that you should really have specific goals and traits to aim for and you only listed “big and fluffy” so it seemed like you didn’t. BUT. There is NOTHING wrong with breeding mutts, barnyard mixes, “Frankenstein” birds, whatever if that is what you want. I personally wouldn’t sell them but if you want big, fluffy, friendly pets for you, there’s nothing wrong with that. Nor is there anything wrong with not having more specific goals than that if you don’t plan to sell.

I hatched chicks from my own flock this summer because I had a hen go broody, loved my rooster (who I had hatched myself last fall during my first ever hatch), and thought why not. I didn’t have specific goals or anything and loved the process and watching that mama raise them and then, subsequently, an “aunt” take over! And I was very glad I hatched from him because he ended up dying suddenly and unexpectedly two weeks after they hatched and now I have his children. I may possibly breed them eventually but not sure. They are mutts. I had 4 chicks but just recently lost one but they are all Lavender Orpington mixes (the rooster) and then the moms were 2 Easter Eggers and a White Leghorn. I had 2 each of EE/LO mixes (different moms) and then two full LO/WL siblings. 2 boys, 2 girls. I lost one of the EE mix girls recently.

Anyway, point is, there’s nothing wrong with barnyard mixes or trying to make a new breed if you like! I absolutely loved my rooster and wanted to pass his traits down. And my WL is a fantastic layer and love the coloring on my EEs and their personality.

 

[MissMonty]

I have done a lot or research. I have wanted this hybrid for a long time now and have even started trying to make it in the genetics calculator. It didn't work though because it was to much information, and mt computer crashed. I have looked into the genetics of other breeds and know a lot. Don't under estimate how much research I can do just based on my posts. I didn't say anything about genetics here so how do you know I didn't do research?

I think the comment is referring to the way you are responding to some of the questions. You're responding like you are new to breeding, which is perfectly fine everyone is new at some point!

You actually remind me of myself. I get SO MANY IDEAS in my head and personally I am very impulsive and have to really rein myself in or I get in a not so ideal situation. Responding to questions about the breeding set up with a cage small enough for 2 birds shows there was not a lot of research done on the actual breeding itself. Then asking how many birds you need, the number of birds you need depends a lot on your space and how much you're planning to spend.

It sounds like you have read a bit about the mix from the breeders website but since its a mix genetically who knows what you'll get. The point I believe that user was trying to make is make sure you read into all of it. Everything. Certifications, where you're going to sell them, what you're going to do if you buy eggs or chicks and get all roos or something, etc

The way I rein myself in is by listing out my ideas and researching them to death. I look at the numbers, figure out costs to build the runs I want and go from there. Once I get all of that done and I still want them I start implementing the plans like the run, finding breeders that are NPIP, etc. (So still haven't bought anything).

Then once I'm done with that if I STILL WANT THEM I look into how much money I can invest. Is this something I can reasonably invest in and do I expect to see a return on my money. You can build up over time but a lot of breeders have minimums so consider then what if something happens, etc. What happens if you get eggs and they don't hatch? Will you be hurt financially to the point you wouldn't be able to recover from it?

Just take everything with a grain of salt. The internet makes it hard to get a point across. I see your end goal. I 100% get it BUT I don't see everything in between. That's what you need to sit down and figure out. So you know you where you want to end up, now you just need to figure out the best steps to get there

 

[hysop]

It's a $205 dollar difference between 12 eggs and 12 chicks

So def weigh your pros and cons. The savings is in that hatch rate.

Gosh I must be bored. Here's some new math taking into consideration the shipping costs and starting with 6 chicks / eggs ending with 12 chicks / eggs

Number of Live Chicks / Hatching Eggs	Live Chicks at $40 each + $45 shipping = Final Cost Per Chick (if all arrive alive)	Eggs at $25 each + $20 shipping = Final Cost Per Chick
6	$47.50	$42.50 (if 4 of 6 hatch)
7	$46.43	$39.00 (if 5 of 7 hatch)
8	$45.63	$44.00 (if 5 of 8 hatch)
9	$45.00	$40.83 (if 6 of 9 hatch)
10	$44.50	$38.57 (if 7 of 10 hatch)
11	$44.09	$42.14 (if 7 of 11 hatch)
12	$43.75	$40.00 (if 8 of 12 hatch)

Totals will vary if some chicks are DOA. Or if your hatch rates are lower. But the savings will increase if you have better hatch rates.

Okay, I must be really bored with all this math and tables. Best of luck!

Edit to add: if your hatch rates end up being lower, then you'll be paying more than having bought live chicks, if they all arrive alive that is.

I deleted the last Column because I forgot what I was doing there haha

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I think he exclusive to the farm part is like how Hoover has hybrids that are only at their hatchery, not every hatchery. I don't think it's trade marked, just that you won't find them at cackle or IDEAL for cheaper

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think he exclusive to the farm part is like how Hoover has hybrids that are only at their hatchery, not every hatchery. I don't think it's trade marked, just that you won't find them at cackle or IDEAL for cheaper

Hmm that’s true but sometimes they can be like the ISA BROWN I think is trademarked or at least was developed by a research facility. So best to be sure.

 

[Newyorkrita]

I think he exclusive to the farm part is like how Hoover has hybrids that are only at their hatchery, not every hatchery. I don't think it's trade marked, just that you won't find them at cackle or IDEAL for cheaper

You can find some of those hybrids "exclusive" to a certain hatchery at another hatchery under another name.
Midnight Majesty Marans at Hoover
Rustic Rambler at Freedom Ranger Hatchery
Dominant Copper at Jenks Hatchery


All appear to be the same birds.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You can find some of those hybrids "exclusive" to a certain hatchery at another hatchery under another name.
Midnight Majesty Marans at Hoover
Rustic Rambler at Freedom Ranger Hatchery
Dominant Copper at Jenks Hatchery


All appear to be the same birds.

That's a fair point. I don't know, that's just what I saw. I know people were selling LOTS of mosaic eggs online on EBay last year. LOTS.