Not all birds bring equal returns. Here’s which poultry breeds can actually earn their keep—and then some.
Introduction
Raising poultry can be more than just a fun hobby—it can be a smart way to earn income from your homestead. Whether you’re selling eggs, meat, chicks, or hatching eggs, choosing the right birds makes a big difference in your bottom line.
In this post, we’ll break down the most profitable poultry options, including the top breeds for each category and what makes them a good investment.
1. Chickens (Egg Production)
💰 Most Profitable Egg Layers
- ISA Browns / Golden Comets: Lay 300–350 eggs/year
- Leghorns: Efficient feed-to-egg ratio, great for white eggs
- Easter Eggers: Sell at a premium due to colorful eggs
How to Profit: Sell by the dozen, offer egg subscriptions, or bundle with baked goods
2. Chickens (Meat Production)
🍗 Top Meat Breeds
- Cornish Cross: Fastest turnaround (6–8 weeks)
- Freedom Rangers: Ideal for pasture-based systems
How to Profit: Raise in batches and sell whole or processed birds; offer custom butchering or CSA shares
3. Ducks
🥚 Best Duck Layers
- Khaki Campbells and Golden 300 Hybrids: Up to 300 eggs/year
- Duck eggs fetch higher prices than chicken eggs, especially with bakers
Bonus: Ducks often lay year-round and are great for niche markets
4. Quail
🐣 Tiny Birds, Big Returns
- Coturnix Quail: Start laying in 6–8 weeks
- Small space requirement, fast growth, high egg output
How to Profit: Sell quail eggs (gourmet pricing), meat, or hatching sets
5. Geese
🪿 Best for Grazing + Holiday Markets
- Embden, Toulouse, and Sebastopol are top meat breeds
- Geese are seasonal sellers, but fetch high holiday prices
Also Profitable: Sell feathers, down, and pasture-based landscaping services
6. Turkeys
🦃 Holiday Profit Birds
- Heritage breeds (like Bourbon Red) command higher prices
- Broad Breasted Whites are standard for meat
Tip: Raise turkeys on pasture and market them as farm-raised for Thanksgiving
7. Hatching & Chicks (All Species)
Incubating and selling chicks or hatching eggs can be extremely profitable, especially in spring when hatcheries are sold out.
- High-demand breeds: Olive Eggers, Silkies, Swedish Flower Hens, or rare ducks/geese
- Sell as straight run or sexed chicks; hatching eggs often ship well
📦 Profit Tip: Offer local pickup or hatch-to-order services
What to Consider When Choosing Profitable Poultry
- Feed costs vs. output (especially for meat birds)
- Space & housing—quail and ducks need less than geese or turkeys
- Market demand in your local area
- Seasonality—some birds are most profitable only certain times of year
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