How to Make Money Raising Chickens

Check local laws to learn if you're allowed to raise chickens where you live and, if so, what limitations apply. For example, St. Petersburg, Florida, residents may own up to five hens but no roosters, yet the nearby town of Pinellas Park places no limitations on the size or makeup of a flock.

Do your research. Chickens are relatively easy animals to care for, but you still need to know how much space they'll need, and the strengths and weaknesses of the various breeds. See "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens," by Gail Damerow, for easy-to-read, detailed information.

Look at your market. Your friends might be complaining about the high price of cage-free eggs at the grocery store. Or you may know a butcher who wants to well more healthful poultry products. Perhaps you live in or near an urban area and want to help people become more self-sufficient by selling them their first flock of egg-layers. Also, look at how you'd bring your product to market. You could use farmers' markets, sell meat to local butchers, or the eggs to produce stands and stores. Baby chicks could go to local pet and feed stores.

Decide just what you'll be selling--eggs, meat, live chickens or some combination. Keep in mind your local laws, the needs of the birds, the space and time you have available and the demands of your marketplace.

Choose a breed or breeds. Some breeds are production egg layers, some are fuller meat birds, and some breeds are raised strictly for their looks.

Start your flock. Buy from a reputable breeder. Check out the breeder by asking around, such as at your feed store. Or try online discussion boards that cater to chicken owners. Have your coop, run, feeders and waterers set up before bringing the chickens home. When deciding on the number of chickens to buy, remember that egg-layers lay at a rate of about two eggs every three days starting at about six months of age. Meat chickens are ready for butchering at about four months of age. You may want to stagger your purchasing. Finally, if you plan to breed your hens, have your roosters on hand right from the beginning. Chickens do not like new additions to an established flock.

Go to market. While you're waiting for your chickens to begin laying or to be old enough to butcher, you can contact that butcher you researched or reserve your space at the farmer's market. Write ads for the Internet sales lists. Tell your neighbors. They might be your best customers.