If you have a backyard hobby of raising chickens, you may be surprised to learn that it can actually be a profitable venture. There are several ways to make money off chickens, whether it's selling eggs, breeding and selling chicks, or even offering chicken-related products and services. In this article, we'll explore some ideas to help you turn your love for chickens into a lucrative business opportunity.
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Sell Farm Fresh Eggs
One of the most common ways to make money off chickens is by selling fresh eggs. With consumers increased desire to source local food and for less chemicals in their food; many people prefer to buy eggs directly from local farmers or backyard chicken owners because they believe the eggs are fresher and of higher quality.
You can start by selling eggs to friends, family, and neighbors, coworkers, and then expand your customer base by setting up a roadside stand or selling at local farmers markets.
Note that your country or state may have restrictions on selling eggs without a license to ensure the health and safety of customers. After viewing our local ordinances, we found this was the case for us, even in a rural area.
It is also important to ensure your eggs are healthy to eat and not damaged or cracked. One of the easiest ways to test this is the float toast. To learn more about this or How Long Farm Fresh Eggs Last, read our article.
For increased sales, many farmers market farm fresh eggs as fresh, organic, cage free, lower cholesterol or free-range to attract customers who value these qualities.
How Much Money Can You Make Selling Farm Fresh Eggs?
This depends on several factors such as how many chickens you have, how many eggs you intend to sell, and how productive your hens are.
For example:
1 Leghorn Chicken that lays 300 eggs a year, and your family eats 0 eggs. Then you could sell 25 dozen eggs a year. In one year, this would yield you a gross profit of $100 if sold at $4 a dozen.
1 Chicken * 300 Eggs= 25 dozen
25 dozen* $4= $100
To make profit off of selling chicken eggs, economies of scale really play a factor. Let’s look at this based on a flock of 20.
20 Chickens * 300 Eggs= 500 dozen
25 dozen* $4= $2,000 a year
So, while you may not make a great deal of profit off of one dozen eggs, profit can be made by selling many dozens of them.
Alternatively increasing the price by $1 due to the increased quality- if the demand in your area allows for it.
20 Chickens * 300 Eggs= 500 dozen
25 dozen* $5= $2,500
Selling Fertilized Eggs for Hatching
Another way to make money off chickens is by selling fertilized eggs for hatching. Since many people who raise chickens for meat or as pets are interested in hatching their own chicks.
You can sell fertilized eggs to these individuals, who are willing to incubate the eggs and raise the chicks themselves.
In order to ensure customer satisfaction, it is important to make sure you provide detailed information about the breed of chicken, the quality and size of the eggs, and any special care instructions. Additionally, it is important to package the eggs securely to ensure they arrive in good condition.
How Much Can You Make from Selling Fertilized Eggs?
The price for fertilized eggs will largely depend on the breed of chicken. We have compiled a list of the most popular breeds of chickens, which will typically go for a higher price.
Heritage breed chickens tend to be more desirable than hybrids or mixed breeds as it reduces buyer uncertainty since they can have an idea of what the chicken will look like as well as traits, hardiness, and egg laying capabilities.
Pricing can significantly vary, but based on our research the rule of thumb is that fertilized eggs sell for between $1 and $3 an egg.
For example:
1 Leghorn Chicken that lays 300 eggs a year, and your family eats 0 eggs. Then you could sell 25 dozen eggs a year. In one year, this would yield you a gross profit of $600 if sold at $2 an egg.
(1 Chicken * 300 Eggs) * $2= $600
To make profit off of selling fertilized chicken eggs, economies of scale really play a factor. Let’s look at this based on a flock of 20.
(20 Chickens * 300 Eggs) * $2= $12,000 a year
So, while you may not make a great deal of profit off of one chicken, profit can be made by selling many dozens of them.
Alternatively increasing the price by $1 due to the increased quality or a specific breed can dramatically increase your profits.
(20 Chickens * 300 Eggs) * $3= $18,000 a year
Sell Baby Chicks
Selling day-old chicks can be a lucrative business for chicken enthusiasts, especially if you have rare or unique breeds that are hard to find elsewhere which can fetch a higher price.
Many people are interested in raising their own chickens and starting with day-old chicks is a popular option. The difficulty in this income avenue, is that the chicks need to sell very quickly after hatching. Not to mention that hens are more desirable than roosters for most customers.
It is important to provide proper care and nutrition for the chicks before selling them to ensure their health and viability.
Sell Adult Chickens
Selling adult chickens can be a great way to make money from your flock, especially if you are reaching capacity for your run or coop.
Laying hens tend to be the most sought after gender/age group as they have immediate and practical use for other homesteaders.
Roosters are not as sought after as hens since they have less practical use. By this I mean that hens lay eggs and each flock can only support so many roosters per amount of hens. However, some farmers are looking for a rooster that will protect their flock.
Before selling your adult chickens, make sure they are healthy and well-cared for to attract buyers.
Sell Chicken Meat
If you're looking to make money from your flock of chickens, selling meat can be a profitable option. It can also be a profitable way to handle roosters that your breed and were unable to sell.
With increased concerns of commercial poultry practices, not to mention the approval of lab grown meat. Many people prefer to buy locally raised, organic chicken meat, and there is a growing demand for it.
You can sell whole chickens or specific cuts of meat, such as breasts, thighs, or wings. Even retired hens they can be marketed as Stew chickens since their meat has a different texture compared to broilers.
To start selling chicken meat, you will need to ensure that your chickens are raised in a clean and healthy environment, following proper animal welfare practices including complying with any local regulations and obtain the necessary permits and licenses.
It is important to market the quality and freshness of your meat, as well as any unique selling points such as free-range or organic practices.
One key consideration to selling meat chickens the butchering process. Many people, even farmers have a hard time doing this process and opt to pay for poultry processing. In our experience, this can cost $7 a chicken if you can find anyone within a 50 mile radius willing to process at all.
Sell Chicken Manure
Selling chicken manure can be a profitable venture for chicken owners, especially with the quantity produced.
Chicken manure is a valuable organic fertilizer that is in high demand among gardeners and farmers as it is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential for plant growth.
To sell chicken manure, you can package it in bags or sell it in bulk to local garden centers, nurseries, or farmers.
For increased sales it is important to highlight the benefits of using chicken manure as a natural fertilizer and emphasize its organic and sustainable qualities. Not to mention chicken manure can contribute to a more eco-friendly and sustainable farming practice.
Sell Chicken Feathers
Another way to make money from your chickens is by selling their feathers as they can be used for various crafts and artistic purposes, making them a valuable commodity.
Collecting and cleaning the feathers from your chickens will be important for higher customer satisfaction.
You can sell them online through platforms noted in Where to Sell and Advertise Your Chicken Business?
Make sure to market the quality (including lack of damage) and uniqueness (color or pattern) of your feathers to attract buyers. Additionally, consider offering bulk discounts or creating custom feather arrangements to cater to different customer preferences.
Selling feathers can be a profitable venture that adds another revenue stream to your chicken business with minimal effort.
Offering Chicken Boarding Services / Chicken Sitting
Another way to make money off chickens is by offering chicken boarding services either with your own infrasture, or for nearby members of the community.
Many people who own chickens may need someone to care for their flock while they are away on vacation or business trips. By providing a safe and secure environment for their chickens, you can charge a fee for boarding services.
This can be a great option for those who have the space and resources to accommodate other people's chickens and can provide peace of mind for chicken owners who need temporary care for their birds.
Selling Chicken-Related Products and Merchandise
One popular way to make money off chickens is by selling chicken-related products and merchandise.
This can include items such as hoodies, t-shirts, mugs, hats, and other accessories with chicken-themed designs. You can also create and sell chicken-related crafts, such as handmade chicken coops, chicken feeders, or chicken-themed home décor.
Additionally, you can sell chicken-related books, guides, or e-books on topics such as raising chickens, chicken breeds, or chicken care for passive income.
By tapping into the growing market of chicken enthusiasts, you can turn your love for chicken into income.
Share Your Experience With Others
Sharing your experience with others can be a rewarding way to make money off your flock of chickens.
There are several ways you can do this, such as starting a blog or YouTube channel where you document your chicken farming journey and provide tips and advice to others. This route allows income from affiliate links and ads.
You can also offer consulting services, post informative articles, or create online courses to teach others how to raise chickens.
By sharing your knowledge, research, and expertise, you can not only make money but also connect with others in the chicken farming community and contribute to farms around the world.
This is one of the most rewarding parts of creating a blog, we have learned so much along the way that we use daily on our farm. But we also know we are helping others. Not to mention we are better able to help friends and neighbors when they have questions about chickens.
Where to Sell and Advertise Your Chicken Business?
There are so a variety of websites and resources to help chicken owners sell their products. Here are the ones we recommend.
Animal Auction
Blog
Craigslist
Community Bulletin Boards
Etsy
Facebook Marketplace
Farmers Market
Farm Stand
Instagram
Poultry Swap
Signs at Local Feed Stores, Pet Stores, or Veterinary Offices
Restaurant
Relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers
Website
Word of Mouth
Final Thoughts
There are a variety of ways to make income from your flock including selling eggs, baby chicks, adult chickens, or even meat, manure and feathers are chicken products that have demand and can provide additional income.
If you are looking for other options then offering Chicken Boarding Services / Chicken Sitting can help those in your community similar to sharing your experience raising chickens with others. Even creating and selling chicken related products/merchandise can create a consistent income stream.
Learn More
Raising Chickens 101: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners: Ready to embark on your chicken-raising adventure? This comprehensive guide is tailored for beginners, covering all the basics of raising chickens and ensuring a successful and rewarding experience.