omgosh im so frustrated with my flock managment skills

[TK Poultry]

i cant seem to do anything right the first time and i am just so frustrated i keep having to buy eggs and buy eggs and im just ready to settle down and produce my own stuff none of my hens are laying i only had one hen laying to begin with i have three pullets really close and three not even close and a brooder full of chicks but it seems like im walking up this huge wall and cant reach the top is this with everyone or just me am i doing something wrong!! im not breeding anything like my signature says that is wat im trying to breed but cant seem to get done im building 2 new pens that i hope will be used for breeding in a couple weeks and i hope that will be another jumpstart to my operation!!! and it doesnt help that no one is buying and im just frustrated ive mad $4 in 3 weeks that averages $1.25 a week!!! is this just me or is anyone else out there having these issues!!!

 

[popcornpuppy]

Take a deep breath, relax for a moment.

This is a BAD economy right now. I have a business that I run from home making dog treats. I have been loosing money for several months because sales have been so poor. Everyone is trying to support themselves right now and looking for ways to do it at home, such as making dog treats or raising chickens. Don't let it get you down though. Things will pick up and you will be ready for success when they do. All companies go through a growing phase and they don't grow over night. Stay calm and foccused and things will get better.

 

[Mayzu]

Relax, it's fine.

When I got my two hens I was worried they'd never lay because it was taking them quite a while. Don't worry. They get to the laying stage and you just have to feed them and take care of them well and wait patiently.

 

[patandchickens]

Honestly it does not sound like you have flock-management problems; just business-management problems

Like, along the lines of 'there may not be a viable market for what you had wanted to sell'.

So, you may want to think about whether this is a BUSINESS or a HOBBY -- if it's a business, possibly it's time to start evaluating whether it's time to cut your losses and get out, in whole or in part; if it's a hobby, you would be a lot happier I think if you just regard it as such, and don't stress over trying to make money off it right now

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Soccer Mom]

Deep breaths! It's sort of off season for buying fowl anyway. You can do this. We all have days when we feel overwhelmed.

Hang in there. (cause I'm gonna need Swedes in the spring and I keep eyeing pics of Jethro. He's a handsome boy! I want some of his offspring.)

 

[BroomFarm]

Take it easy there! You're just getting started. Your website even says you won't be selling much until next year, so don't stress so much. I had my own business for three years and the first year was nothing but building it up. By the time I decided to close up shop it was because I had too many customers!

You need to set goals, study your market, refine your business model, but most of all...BE PATIENT! There are a few different ways to make money in the poultry business, most of them involving a rather grand scale of production. For more modest entrepreneurs, the Spring season is really key. Take great care of your chickens and be ready to make the bulk of your sales starting around 6 months from now.

Reading as many BYC posts as you can will help with all of the above and sooth your nerves, until then...hang in there!

 

[TK Poultry]

Quote:
thank you all so much i just thought it was me and i havent decided if this is a business or a hobby but i will and i will ajust acordingly and Soccer Mom Jethro is very hansome and i think he will go with some of my girls trying to get a bigger bib!!! im also getting a blue hen from a friend of mine getting out of swedes!!! so i hope you like them all including my hens, i thought id give a lil update!! Fall shows start soon too cant wait

 

[Soccer Mom]

Good luck with the fall shows. Nothing like some ribbons to perk up your day.

I'll keep an eye on your website. I'm almost duckless at the moment (strange feeling) but I'm going to be concentrating on swedes in the spring.

 

[socks]

I think you have had some good advice and I just wanted to congratulate you on your enterprise. All this at 14 years old!!!

 

[TK Poultry]

thanks im young and inexperienced and that has its own challenges little lone trying to produce good quality birds!!!some people take advantage of me or dont take me seriously i have the same goals you do and im doing the same thing!!! but i guess i have a few more challenges than the average breeder i did get some great advice and i took it all and am looking at my operation and have made some tough calls and am now serious but i think its still going to be a hobby b/c im in school and dont have alot of time to devote to it during school and college is only 4years away!!!

o and the local poultry market seems to be picking up!!! so thats a plus