• Fast, reliable early income stream
• Weekly cash flow from egg sales
• Supports farm stand traffic
• Provides food for the family
• Produces compost for garden system

• One of the first income sources
• Low startup compared to other livestock
• Scales easily over time
• Integrates with garden (manure → compost → soil)

• Keep setup simple and clean
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Use dual-purpose breeds
• Maintain manageable flock size

👉 20–25 hens

• Rhode Island Red (primary workhorse)
• Plymouth Rock (balanced + calm)
• Sussex (good all-around)
• Golden Comet (high egg production boost)

• Consistent egg production
• Good meat birds later
• Visual variety for customers

• ~4–6 eggs per week

• ~8–12 dozen eggs per week

• $4–8 per dozen
• ~$50–100+/week

• Nesting boxes (rollout style preferred)
• Roost bars
• Ventilation (high vents)
• Weatherproof structure

• Fully fenced
• Predator-proof
• Covered if possible

• Coop: ~4 sq ft per bird
• Run: 8–10 sq ft per bird

• Slight slope floor
• Eggs roll into collection tray

👉 External access (preferred)

• Open lid from outside
• Collect eggs without entering coop

• 1 box per 3–4 hens

• Cleaner eggs
• Less breakage
• Faster collection

• Start with 4–6 inches of pine shavings

• Add bedding regularly
• Keep dry
• Stir occasionally

• 1–2 times per year

👉 Compost material for garden

• Opens at sunrise
• Closes at sunset

• Gravity or nipple system

• Light timer (winter production boost)

• Reduce daily time
• Maintain flexibility

• Layer feed

• Kitchen scraps
• Garden waste

• Keep feeding simple
• Avoid overcomplication

• Egg cartons (labeled)
• Self-serve or direct sale

• Repeat customers
• Weekly buyers

• Eggs + vegetables
• Eggs + flowers
• Eggs + honey

• Buy pullets (recommended)

• 16–20 weeks to laying

• Year 1–2

• Year 3+

• Replace older hens
• Process for meat

👉 Eggs → replace → meat → repeat

• Older hens used for:
  • Soup
  • Stew
  • Slow cooking

• Not like store chicken
• More flavor, less tender

• Secure run required

• Keep litter dry

• Reduces production

• Impacts egg quality

✔️ Keep coop dry and ventilated
✔️ Use rollout nesting boxes
✔️ Automate door and water
✔️ Maintain manageable flock size
✔️ Rotate birds over time

• 20–25 hens
• Simple coop + enclosed run
• Automated basics

• Weekly egg income
• Low daily workload
• Scalable system

• Expanded flock (40–50 hens)
• Dedicated egg processing area
• Strong repeat customer base
• Integrated with full farm system

👉 Chickens provide:

• Fast income
• Consistent sales
• Low complexity
• Strong integration with entire farm

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