Starting a hatchery?

[Scott214]

I couldn’t really find a forum for this but it would be considered raising right? I know it sounds crazy but I am really passionate about chickens and other poultry. I recently just ordered chicks and it had me thinking “ why can’t I do that?” . Before the chicks got here I was worried about so many things like if they were gonna look up to the breed standard enough to even tell what it is or how healthy the bird will be? I am a senior in high school and am in business classes but not AG because I would have to learn about things that wouldn’t help me. I’ve always joked about doing this but I am really contemplating it. I wanna create a hatchery that doesn’t inbreed their flock that rehomes birds that aren’t up to standard but will make a nice pet, and gets new birds annually from a reliable breeder and maybe even show quality stock. I know that’s so much extra but I wanna create a quality product so people can be more trusting in hatcheries so you don’t have all of these awful perspectives on hatchery birds always. And while I’m at it I do wanna create a chicken meat industry that is actually pasture ranged and isn’t allowed in grass for a limited to short amount of time. I know I’m ranting but I just want people’s ideas and opinions on if I’m crazy or not or should I actually pursue this? I wanna make a good future for myself and help others along the way. It’s something I’m super in love with. I have experience and I swear my brain is a chicken encyclopedia I just wanna get started with an actual business. I am planning on visiting hatcheries to get their opinions and also about how they run things. Sorry for the long post but I know it may sound crazy but I really wanna try to make this happen. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated even if it’s a negative comment I’m open to constructive criticism. Have a great day and thank you for reading this.

 

[Rickba]

Hey, post away. Put your thoughts down and I'll read 'em. There seems to be growing market for fresh, non-grocery store' chicken. Quite a few people have made a good living this way. Personally, I get to attached to my chickens to go that route. When they get past their egg laying stage, I don't waist 'em and put 'em in the freezer, But to raise just to sell for meat, I don't think I could do it. The way to go is either 'Free Range' or a very large run so you can list 'em as 'Cage Free'. I have a large run and open coops so they can come and go as they like. It's not free range 'cause they're penned, but not caged. The best of both worlds. I keep 'em safe from predators and they have plenty of room to run.

 

[Scott214]

I love your set up! Also the variety of birds coexisting is very nice! It’s crazy but when you see most labels saying cage free the conditions are almost the same as caged free birds so it really isn’t better most of the time. I honestly couldn’t butcher myself but if I was doing it on a bigger scale and being less attached and sending them to a butcher or selling them live that would be more easy for me personally. I’m more into the breeding aspect to create a big breeder company on a major scale that is kind of like my pet chicken but on steroids I guess. To where you have very nice healthy and great quality birds to take less stress off buyers. And then I thought to have pigs that exist outside the pens that work in a cycle. Move the pen and move the pigs then the chickens have a greaser area and then the pigs will eat the scraps the chickens didn’t. Also then butcher the pigs later on then replace. These are just ideas but I’m really hoping to make a name for myself in the chicken industry. I want to be a known name like Meyer or McMurray but have better reviews behind them with a better product.

 

[anacarolina]

Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life There is a big potential in the market for meat actually raised free range and cruelty free. As for the chicks, I’ve never done enough research to know whether or not it is a business worth going into. But with a well thought out business plan and good marketing I think you’ll do just fine making a living off of what makes you happy!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Check out Greenfire and James Marie farms. They seem to have done what you want to do, and people will pay through the nose to get it.

EDT: By which I mean they started a farm that supplies quality birds, rather than bulk quantity. They're not exactly the epitome of free-ranging.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

it had me thinking “ why can’t I do that?”

MARKET value... I have 100 chickens ready for freezer camp. Seasonal hatching is best and don't expect the phone to ring off the hook with people that want to compensate you for your time or at least.. investment. We break even by harvesting the unsold and it keeps us away from the supermarket butcher. Find a breed that no one has in your area, then when it becomes a breed everyone has, find another they don't have. Feed costs out weight the price of chickens, pigs and cows. I know this and struggle with supply and demand every waking day. Good luck..

 

[junebuggena]

The big hatcheries are successful because of the quantities. They hatch by the thousands. They keep hundreds of parent stock birds, per breed. They vent sex at hatch, and most unsold males end up tossed in a meat grinder. It's not a pretty industry. And it becomes very difficult to maintain quality when breeding at such a scale. The best hatchery there is, in terms of trying to keep their breeding programs as close to show quality as possible is Cackle.
The pastured meat market has huge demand right now. No idea why more of the big companies won't do it. It only takes them an extra two weeks to grow to size on pasture, the feed costs are a lot less, and the birds are much healthier. If you've got a USDA inspected slaughter house to take them to in your area, you can start selling meat shares, CSA-style, in your local community right now.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I think all dreams and goals are wonderful and worth pursuing. And while I have no insight into the hatchery business, it might be worth you finding out the whys behind some of your concerns/customer complaints.

Learning from established business practices can show you a multitude of possibilities, from considering what you can improve upon the model and what you may not yet understand is a part of the industry that will be impossible to escape.

Take the inbreeding for example, and consider what kinds of birds you’d like to breed. Some of our favorite chicken traits are a direct result of careful breeding of birds back to each other to maintain a specific feature, especially in show quality animals.

How large of scale will you want to operate? To compete against large and well established hatcheries will take equal amounts of time and resources. What are your long term goals to reach this level of business and finance.

Also, if you get to their scale, how will you manage all the birds you’d like to place in good homes that don’t meet standards? What will you do with ones that don’t get placed?

Just food for thought, and good luck!!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

The big hatcheries are successful because of the quantities. They hatch by the thousands. They keep hundreds of parent stock birds, per breed. They vent sex at hatch, and most unsold males end up tossed in a meat grinder. It's not a pretty industry. And it becomes very difficult to maintain quality when breeding at such a scale. The best hatchery there is, in terms of trying to keep their breeding programs as close to show quality as possible is Cackle.
The pastured meat market has huge demand right now. No idea why more of the big companies won't do it. It only takes them an extra two weeks to grow to size on pasture, the feed costs are a lot less, and the birds are much healthier. If you've got a USDA inspected slaughter house to take them to in your area, you can start selling meat shares, CSA-style, in your local community right now.

With all due respect, those are expectations for a seasoned breeder, not a newbie beginner.. please no hard feelings. It's a long way to the top. trial and lots of error. USDA inspection absorbs a lot from the bottom line, especially from the little guy. Big scale is cut throat. Start small, govern the scale accordingly.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are a lot of parts in what you want to do but you sound like someone that can make a plan and stick with it. My suggestion is to go to a university hat has a good Poultry Science school. I don't know what actual major or minor might be best for you, maybe business as well as poultry science, but learn why industry use the practices they do. It's not just because they are cruel people, there are sound business reasons. Study poultry genetics, especially since you want to breed to a certain standard. To develop and maintain show quality chickens requires quite a bit of inbreeding. Learn how to do that without inbreeding becoming a problem. Learn the basics of collecting and incubating hatchable eggs and healthy chicks. Learn all aspects of your craft and see if you can find a niche that you can enjoy and feed your future family.

Another suggestion is to go to chicken shows and get serious about breeding chickens for show. Select just one breed to keep it simple but start getting hands-on experience in breeding. You can read all you want but nothing compares with hands-on experience.

Good luck!