How to Make Money with Chickens: Turning Your Hobby into a Side Hustle

Turning your chicken-keeping hobby into a side hustle can be both rewarding and profitable. Here are some ideas to help you monetize your backyard flock:

1. Selling Fresh Eggs

• Local Markets and Farmers' Markets: Set up a stall at your local farmers' market to sell your fresh eggs. Customers love buying farm-fresh products directly from the producer.
• Home Delivery or Subscriptions: Offer a weekly or bi-weekly egg delivery service to neighbors or through a subscription model. This provides a steady income and builds a loyal customer base.
• Specialty Eggs: Consider selling unique or specialty eggs, such as those from free-range, organic, or specific chicken breeds like Araucanas that lay blue eggs. Specialty eggs often command higher prices.

2. Breeding and Selling Chicks

• Hatch and Sell Chicks: If you have a rooster, you can hatch and sell chicks. This can be especially lucrative with heritage or rare breeds that are in high demand.
• Started Pullets: Some people prefer to buy young hens that are just about to start laying (usually around 16-20 weeks old). Selling started pullets can be more profitable than selling chicks.
• Incubation Services: Offer incubation services for other chicken keepers who want to hatch their own eggs but lack the equipment.

3. Selling Fertilized Eggs

• Fertile Eggs for Hatching: Sell fertilized eggs to other chicken keepers who want to hatch their own chicks. This can be a great option if you have rare or popular breeds.
• Online Sales: Use online marketplaces like eBay or specialized poultry websites to sell fertilized eggs. Ensure you package them carefully for shipping.

4. Chicken-Related Products

• Handmade Chicken Coops: If you’re handy with tools, build and sell custom chicken coops. Many people are looking for high-quality, aesthetically pleasing coops that match their backyard decor.
• Chicken Feeders and Waterers: Create and sell unique or specialized chicken feeders and waterers. DIY or eco-friendly designs can attract a niche market.
• Chicken Apparel and Accessories: Design and sell chicken-themed apparel, accessories, or even items like personalized egg baskets. Consider setting up an online store or selling at local markets.

5. Offering Educational Workshops and Tours

• Workshops on Chicken Keeping: Offer workshops or classes on backyard chicken keeping. Cover topics like coop building, breed selection, and chicken care. You can hold these in person or online.
• Farm Tours: If you have a picturesque setup, invite people for farm tours where they can learn about raising chickens, gather eggs, and even interact with your flock. This can be especially popular with families and school groups.

6. Selling Manure and Compost

• Chicken Manure: Chicken manure is rich in nutrients and makes excellent fertilizer. Package and sell it to gardeners and farmers who are looking for organic compost.
• Composting Services: Offer a composting service where you take people’s kitchen scraps and compost them with chicken manure. You can then sell the finished compost.

7. Creating and Selling Chicken Content

• Blogging and YouTube Channels: Start a blog or YouTube channel focused on chicken keeping. Monetize through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
• E-books and Guides: Write and sell e-books or guides on topics like beginner chicken keeping, coop building, or organic chicken care. Digital products have low overhead and can reach a wide audience.

8. Selling Poultry Supplies

• Poultry Equipment: Partner with suppliers to sell chicken feed, bedding, and other supplies. You can do this through an online store or a physical location if you have space.
• Custom Feed Blends: If you have knowledge in poultry nutrition, create and sell custom feed blends tailored to specific breeds or needs.

9. Event Hosting and Rentals

• Chicken Rental Services: Offer a chicken rental service where people can "try before they buy." This is great for families or schools who want to experience keeping chickens without long-term commitment.
• Host Chicken-Themed Events: Host events like "Chicken Yoga" where participants do yoga with chickens roaming around, or "Egg Hunts" during Easter. These events can attract a diverse crowd and generate income.

10. Selling Processed Products

• Egg-Based Products: Create and sell products like homemade mayonnaise, pasta, or baked goods using your eggs. Be sure to comply with local food safety regulations.
• Feathers and Crafts: Sell feathers for crafting or create and sell handmade items using chicken feathers.

Each of these ideas can be tailored to your specific situation, resources, and interests. Start small, test the market, and gradually expand as you see what works best for you and your flock.