The Poultry Keeper

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

Somehow i managed to persuade my parents to let me hatch some chicks..

I now have my origonal 7 hens and 18 chicks now!! Im going to keep them all till POL or near enough.. Im not sure what i could sell them for?

This is what i think.

Scots Grey bantam's - 10/15 quid per hen?
Yokohama - 15/20 quid per hen?
Sumatra - 15/20 quid per hen?
Japanese bantam - 10/15 quid per hen?

Any ideas? I will have to cull the boys unless i can find homes for them. As Yokohamas and Sumatras are rare breeds i may find a home for them.

Thanks, JC

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1406 Location: Manchester

That sounds like pretty fair prices to me - I've been working out what to charge for my own chicks as it's my first time selling them and I've decided on £2 for an unsexed day old, 8 week old pullets for £10 and then rising 50p per week to POL and over at £15

That's for bantam light sussex fed on totally organic feed.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

Thanks. A mistake from me, they wont be POL the Yoko's Sumatrans and Japanese bantams will be between 14-16 weeks old when i sell them, and the Scots Greys will be between 11-13 weeks old. Still think the prices are fair?

Thanks again, JC

mojo · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

the yokos and japs you could advertise as trio to help thin the coqs

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

Ya but there brothers and sisters.. so thats a no no for breeding. Sad

mojo · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject:

sorry just a thought

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

Thanks Mojo Very Happy

i would definetley sell them as trios if they were un-related. I will try and sell the cocks but not many people want them Sad

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

On the whole I don't sell any chicks until off heat, but work on £1 per week of age until £15 weeks at which time they are almost the official PoL designation of 16 weeks. I do tell buyers their actual age and how long before they can realistically expect eggs. They stay at this price until first moult, after which price depends on so many variables that it isn't set.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:15 am Post subject:

People may still buy trios even if they are related. Its not the end of the world to breed them together for a generation, although not ideal. Then perhaps outcross for the next generation. I bet most of the pairs and trios around the sales are related.

This debate is interesting on how much to charge for birds. Its quite a dilema sometimes. But I think you have the prices about right Very Happy

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

I would definetley not sell them while there still on heat henwife. I dont want to sell any of them but unfortunately i have no choice, they will all be getting towards POL

jubilee · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 125 Location: nottinghamshire

i agree with the above point made, some people, including myself don't mind related birds to breed with. as everyone has different oppinions about this, but it would be refreshing to see a seller who admits their trios are related, as pointed out before, you can bet your last penny that alot of pairs/trios etc. that are sold in auctions and indeed private sales, that the birds are related in some way, especially if they're all about the same age! i always tell people that my birds are related, then it's up to them what they do. i think personally, you could charge a little more for your yoko's, as i've seen them alot pricier than that, but it also depends on the quality too. i also know a hell of a lot of breeders that don't just sell pullets, you have to buy a cockerel too, a certain well known breeder of pekins in yorkshire won't let pullets go on their own, and his cockerels are the same price as his pullets! my cockerels are the same price too, you need a good cockerel to be able to breed with, and they cost the same to rear as the pullets, if not more, so why shouldn't you try and sell them?! i also don't let more than two pullets go without a cockerel, otherwise i'd be left with hundreds! i'd sooner make up pairs and trios and take them to the sales!

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

I will ring the auction and ask whether i should keep the cockrels or not.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3469 Location: Monmouthshire

I usually cull cockerels as soon as they are obvious, unless of a particularly unusual breed. Then I will sell trios but only if the parent stock are completely unrelated. If I've had to breed from a small pool of related birds, then I'll only sell pullets. With the more common breeds there is no point in rearing males unless ordered. Sell those as trios and all you've done is depress the price of the pullets. People wanting a cockerel will usually go to a known breeder, or order it 'in the egg'.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1103 Location: Sussex

I agree with what your saying Henwife. If i had hens and i was going to breed i would spend the money getting a top notch cockrel as you only really need the one.

I think i will cull the cocks as soon as i know there boys.. its hard to tell at 4 weeks old. Especially as ive never raised chicks before.

The Sumatrans have no combs at all. The Yoko's are showing a tiny bit. But a couple of the Japanese bantams have an obvious comb starting.. ill just have to wait and see.