Make Extra Income

Make sure you know your area̢۪s laws about keeping chickens if you live in an urban or built-up area. Often you are not allowed to keep more than six chickens, and most places you cannot have roosters. This is for the sake of your neighbours (and your reputation). Contact your local authority before buying any hens.

Consider if your property is suitable for keeping chickens once you know how many you̢۪re allowed to have. If you rent, would the owner be happy with you keeping chickens? Do you have a nice garden that you don̢۪t want chickens scratching around in? Do you have adequate space for the chickens to roam about in? Do you mind chicken poop in the garden and underfoot?

It̢۪s your choice whether you want your chickens to free-range (live on grass) or

Buy chickens 45 days to 2 months old.Chickens began laying eggs from the fourth month to 2 years of age. You̢۪ll get approximately one egg per hen every two days in the first year, and it will begin to taper off in the second year. After two years, hens can be sold for meat for additional income. They can also be fed a finisher feed which has a high level of protein and should be fed to chickens before slaughter.You can purchase pullets which are young female hens that do not lay eggs yet. They can be bought from farms, breeders or online.

Select chickens that provide eggs people are likely to want. Country and natural varieties tend to be popular. You will also want a chicken breed that are good egg layers such as leghorns and rhode island reds

Consider what you will be able to afford to feed your chickens.This means feeding the chickens well without eating into the profitability of your income-seeking venture. When choosing food at a budget price, always look for ways to reduce the food cost without compromising the chickens̢۪ health and the egg quality. A lack of appropriate nutrients can cause disease in chickens, so do not skimp on that aspect.

• If you want to promote your egg layers, feed them crushed egg shells or crushed oyster shells, these turn their eggs into the best they can be. They should also be fed this is their egg shells are soft.
• Chicks thrive on wheat, corn, or a special chick starter feed.
• See if it’s possible to get scraps from restaurants in your area for free, chickens love scraps and they can eat just about anything besides from avocado, alcohol, salty treats and never feed them uncooked egg as they will learn to eat their own eggs that they lay.
• Consider growing suitable food for the chickens if your land is large enough.
• Decide whether you can feed the chickens daily or will you need to use automated feeders

Make sure you know how and where to obtain feed before obtaining the chickens.Look for discounts and special deals to keep costs low. Ask what deals are provided for buying in bulk. If buying in bulk, you̢۪ll need a secure and dry storage spot. You might also benefit from placing the feed in plastic containers or something alike. Rats and mice can chew through cardboard and the bags you get feed with and they will eat the feed.

Provide a suitable water container.You can purchase water feeders which are great especially if you are keeping chicks. The hens must have access to fresh and clean water at all times and you might have to refill the containers at least once a day.

Find out the price of eggs locally.What you are offering is free-range at a minimum, so compare like with like. If you’re going one step further and raising the chickens in an organic garden solely on organic food to create organic eggs, this will put the price up, but you need to make all these things clear and verify as required by any by-laws. Make your price cheaper than that of the shops. About $2.00 – $2.50 for a dozen is good (this will vary on your location in the world). It may seem cheap, but if you want to make business, you have to make it worth it for your customers.

To price, don̢۪t forget to include feed cost or else you end up making a loss. Find out how eggs are distributed in your area.Can you make use of the same distribution network or do you need to use other means? If the latter, what sort of ways do you intend to sell? It might be door-to-door, from your gate, through the internet, etc. Again, know the local laws with respect to the sales process.

• Try bakeries, local stores, cooperatives, supermarkets that like stocking local produce, etc.
• To advertise, simply tell your neighbors about your chickens. They will probably be quite willing to buy eggs from you.
• If all else fails, you can sell your eggs to your local butcher. Almost all butchers will sell eggs from locals.

Collect eggs daily. You should collect the eggs once a day and twice during summer or when it̢۪s hot outside, this is to be sure you get the eggs fresh. Store the eggs properly, they can be stored without refrigeration for up to 4 to 5 days, provided it̢۪s not hot.

Sell quickly. The sooner the eggs are out, the better and the fresher they are for the customer.

Enter your chickens in competitions.Many poultry shows run around the state. If you have a particularly pretty hen or rooster you would like to show-off, then why not make some money out of it too? Majority shows have a cash-prize for the winner. However, you will need a purebred breed that is taken care of and groomed well. Breed chicks.Chicks can be sold for $5 each on average. If you have a rooster you can breed your chickens or incubate eggs.