I am looking to order some chickens but the classic issue at hand is what to do with the extra birds. It seems that the minimum order is 25 and I, of course, only want a 6-8 laying hens.

If I raise the extra chicks for meat how long does it take before they reach a desireable eating weight? Is it hard work to "dress out" chickens?

As I know we will become attached to our birds, has anyone brought chickens out to be prepared?

Personally, I think we are more suited for the egg/pet thing vs. food source.

Thanks! I really appreciate all your help/information.

If you don't want to raise meat birds then try to find someone else to by with. A local poultry breeder will problebly help if he or she ever orders birds. A better solution is to by older birds. One reason is you don't have to by more birds than you want. Another reason would be you know exactly what your getting. I have never dressed out chickens and never will because it is such a disgusting processes. I don't mean to offend anyone, it's just an oppion. Execution of the birds is just as bad. My oppion is if you don't want to kill your birds don't raise them for meat and just buy a few hens. THis is off topic, but if you do get some birds unless you don't like roosters or you can't have them in your area. Roosters are nice to have because they are fun to have around, if you ever want to hactch your own chicks yo can, and they are pretty. Hope it helps.

YoYo

Another option- you can get them from a local feed store (in most places). But before you do that, make sure they are healthy... are the cages sanitary, is it too crowded...etc. You can buy as few as you like(I only bought 2). They are cheaper as well. I honestly wouldn't want to get into roosters right off the bat. They can be kind of mean. I hope this information helps you out!!! Good luck! ~Angela

Another option is to buy the 25 chicks, raise them for a while, and then sell them. I see ads in the paper all the time for chickens for sale. They're bound to sell as chicks or young hens.

Roosters can be mean, but when raised properly (constanly handled, raised from a young age). If you do opt for purchasing 25 then selling them you will have a hard time covering expences because you can't get any money for non-show chickens. Rooster also will viscousley protect their hens if they are attacked going as far as mutilating anything that is attacking their hens, but a well raised roo. will not harm you. Hope it helps.

YoYo

Check with the local feed stores in your area (even stores like Quality, etc) many offer chicks in the spring and you can just buy as many as you want. Ask around, someone in your neighborhood probably raises birds they would be willing to sell, especially if you only want a few. Good luck.

We get $1.50 a pound for meat birds, and make good money at it. To sell any bird, you need someone to buy. If no one eats chicken in your area, then don't raise broilers. If no one buys show birds, don't raise those with the expectation of selling them. The best thing for you, it would appear, is to buy just what you need. If you choose to buy, say, 25 pullets and sell half of them, you could reduce your risk by going ahead and putting an ad in the paper for them now and find someone who wants them when they are ready. Then you'll know you can sell them before you buy. You might want to get a deposit to ensure the buyer is serious about going ahead with the sale later. Hope this helps.