Re: [CHICKENS-101] Breeding

 

On 3/27/2014 6:29 PM, tydempe66@yahoo.com wrote:

 

So I'm wanting to start breeding chickens. Preferably bantams, to sell. The thing is, I don't really know how. Are there any tips or tricks that you more experienced chickeners wouldn't mind sharing with me? What good starter breed should I pick? Any help would be great.

Not much in the way of tips from me  (my first chicks haven't hatched yet) but maybe some questions that will help others answer you
You want to sell to who?  People who want chickens for eggs?  To show?  For pets?  For meat?  For insect control? Makes a difference as to what to breed.
Anyone else selling chickens (or eggs) in your area?    You might want to avoid breeding the same varieties so you aren't in direct competition.
Have you considered mail order?  You could sell hatching eggs online.  (that's where my eggs came from)

Will you be free ranging them or keeping them in a pen?  (some varieties are more predator savvy or better at foraging)

How cold does it get by you?  Some more tropical varieties don't do so well.  Likewise some don't handle hot summers well.

Some varieties are friendlier than others...  I've regularly had the bantam down the street fly up to my shoulder  (ok, she was trying to get away from an oversexed drake)  Of the chickens they had on the Gardiner farm, I'd say the bantams were my favorite.  Of course they lay small eggs, if that is a consideration.  If space is limited, you can sub two bantams for a standard hen...  And there are several types of bantams- mini versions of the standard breeds.

I settled on Cream Legbars because they are supposed to be friendly yet predator savvy, do well free range or penned, handle both heat and cold,  and they lay blue eggs.  I also considered Cochins (friendly birds, love the look of the feathery feet) but blue eggs won out     
 

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