Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...

[Quail_Antwerp]

Well, I didn't get to name him Catch. DH didn't like that at all!

So he named him Boss... I like Catch much better. So now we have Chase and Boss. :/

I had one Welsummer mix and one BBS/Barred Rock hatch last night. I think he's a blue. I think the Wellie must have a Blue Rock daddy, because she looks blue, too.

Another Wellie mix is pipped, but nothing from my pure Wellies yet. here's hoping.

My website is now pretty much done. We have pages for all of our poultry, except the ducks. I'll soon have a page for poultry sales and what's available, but waiting until I have something to sell before creating that page...

Like the 300 chicks coming from Mt. Healthy on Monday. I called my post master yesterday to tell her that I had chicks coming and she said, "Ok." I said very quietly, "Um...300 chicks.." she says in pure disbelief, "Nooooo...." I cracked up and said, "Yeessss." She laughs and says, "Well, OK but just as long as they can't get loose or anything." No, she doesn't really believe they could get loose, she was just in shock LOL I've never had more than 50 chicks come in at once, but OH my her reaction was priceless!

 

[Farmfresh]

Try getting your chicks sent to a CITY post office.

People either get really excited or simply freak out. I have found myself many times explaining to people how chicks can be mailed without stress due to their natural ability to not need food or water for the first few days after hatch.

Now I just put my phone number on the order and leave instructions to call me when the arrive - which results in a phone call at 4:00 AM the day of arrival from the post office. I drive the few miles across vacant streets and then like a secret agent or something go to the "special door" and ring. Minutes later the "contraband" has passed hands and I am headed home. They act like they were holding a live grenade for me!

That is OK because it allows me to get them watered and in the brooder quickly ... and way before I have to go to work!

 

[PamsPride]

My city PO is 45 minutes away! But, they were the most helpful when my chicks took longer than expected last time....even though they completely missed my 75 chicks go through their depot!!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I just got my first chick order!!!!!!!!!!

And my phone has been ringing off the hook regarding the chicks coming next week!!!!!

 

[PamsPride]

Awesome!! Maybe you should have ordered more than 300!!

 

[lorihadams]

Cool! Sounds like things are falling into place for you Quail! I haven't been brave enought to attempt chicks yet....someday....

 

[keljonma]

300 chicks - now THAT'S a LOT of poop!

 

[Beekissed]

Quail, do you have a coop that big? I didn't know if you did or maybe I missed when you built one? That is a heck of a lot of birds!!!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Quail, do you have a coop that big? I didn't know if you did or maybe I missed when you built one? That is a heck of a lot of birds!!!

Bee, those chicks aren't for my flock. I have arrangements with the local feedstore to sell them. I will be "working" at the feedstore this week, hosting "Chick Days".

The local 4-H director has already told the 4-H kids that we are going to be at the feedstore with chicks. The whole community is excited about it, so are the feedstore owners, because this will be the first time since this feedstore opened 2 years ago that they have ever had chicks.

It really is a local community feedstore doing what they can to support the community. It's a win win. He knows if I sell my chicks, the buyers are going to need feeders/waterers, chick starter, etc. AND since I got the chicks at wholesale, I can offer them at a low price, still make a profit, and the locals don't have to worry about having birds shipped!

Any chicks that DON'T sell at the feedstore will go to the Auction next Monday.

No, Bee, I don't have a coop big enough for 300 birds, and I have no intentions of having more than 100 layers, but that coop isn't even built yet, so I am not planning to have those 100 layers until next year. This year is being used to build what we need for the poultry I want. Proper housing, fencing, etc before I expand myself to large.

We've a plan worked out, we are also implementing the "envelope" system, so our $ we make this year is being divided equally among certain things that need done and things we hope to achieve.

 

[Farmfresh]

Quail when you get those 100 layers next year you will need a ready market for the eggs and good temporary egg storage as well.

When I had 50 layers I bought a old refrigerator for the basement to use for a temporary holding place. I marked the shelves and implemented a rotation system so the eggs were never more than a few days old when they were sold. I only sold the cleanest and best ones. The lessor eggs all went to our plates or to family.

I sold to individuals that I met through work or word of mouth and could barely keep up with demand at $2.00 a dozen. (and that was about 6 years ago!)

My cousin went a better route, one I would suggest for you. He went ahead and got the documents necessary to make himself a legal seller of eggs. Then he spent some time introducing himself to the local markets, including health food stores in the area. He made a good wage with his 100+ hens. He made deliveries, keeping the eggs cold via ice chest, twice a week. It worked out well and he always had a place willing and ready to take his eggs - before they were even laid!