If your backyard flock is producing more eggs, chicks, or compost than you can use, you’re sitting on an opportunity many chicken keepers don’t realize they have: a simple, low-stress side income. Whether you keep a handful of layers or a growing mixed flock, there are several ways to turn your chicken hobby into a money-making venture — just in time for the new year.

Here’s how homesteaders and backyard keepers can earn extra cash while keeping their flocks healthy and happy.

1. Sell Fresh Eggs Locally

The easiest way to start earning is by selling eggs.
Depending on your area, farm-fresh eggs typically sell for $4–$8 per dozen, and colorful eggs can sell for even more.

Breeds at Valley Farms Hatchery that lay exceptionally well include:

• White Leghorn – 300+ white eggs/year

• Brown Sexlink, Amber Sexlink, Blue & Black Sexlinks – reliable high-producers

• Production Red & Rhode Island Red – excellent brown egg layers

• Easter Egger – popular for blue, green, and pink eggs

If you want to maximize egg revenue, building a flock around these breeds gives you a steady product customers will come back for.

2. Sell Fertile Hatching Eggs

If you have a rooster, you can sell fertile hatching eggs, which often earn more per dozen than eating eggs.

This is especially profitable if you keep:

• Easter Eggers (colorful egg genetics are highly sought-after)

• Buff Orpingtons, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Light Sussex (excellent backyard breeders)

• Splash Australorps & Black Australorps (great mothers and consistent layers)

Hatching eggs are popular on Facebook groups, local buy/sell pages, and homestead swap meets.

3. Raise and Sell Started Pullets

Many people want chickens but don’t want to raise fragile baby chicks.
That’s where started pullets (8–20 weeks old) come in.

A pullet that costs only a few dollars as a chick can sell for $15–$35 once she’s nearly ready to lay.
Choose friendly, productive breeds such as Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Barred Rocks, or Wyandottes, which are always in high demand.

Valley Farms Hatchery offers these breeds at day-old prices that make pullet-raising profitable with the right setup.

4. Grow Meat Birds for Customers

If you have the space, raising meat birds on a small scale is another profitable option.

Two excellent choices include:

• Cornish Cross Broilers – the industry standard for fast, efficient growth

• Pioneer Broilers – a robust, slower-growing option with excellent flavor

Local customers often pay significantly more for fresh, pasture-raised chicken than grocery store prices.

Just remember: broilers require their own feed and housing separate from your layers.