As any seasoned dealer can tell you, Chick Days is more than a routine\u2014it’s a boom or bust moment for any vendor in the world of chicken products. As a dealer or feed store owner, you’re not just witnessing a surge in demand; you’re at the forefront of a thriving market. That means there\u2019s genuine opportunity there that you might not initially realize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chick Days isn’t just a blip on the calendar; it’s an opportunity for those well-versed in the nuances of poultry commerce and products. In this blog, the BioZyme<\/a> team is diving into the intricate dance of supply, demand and consumer behavior during this pivotal period. Let\u2019s be frank: as dealers, you are the experts in what your consumers want. You know your community better than we do. That\u2019s why we aim to provide insights that resonate with the seasoned dealer. Our goal is to offer strategies to fine-tune your approach and extract the maximum value from Chick Days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re new to Chick Days and are looking to get an insight into how to best set up your operation for success, we\u2019ve got you covered. This guide is not only intended to be practical but a tool for everyone. Let’s navigate this season together, leveraging your industry acumen to make Chick Days not just profitable but a standout chapter in your business story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chick Days<\/a> are a period marked by increased interest in chicken products\u2014typically involving the sale of live chicks to enthusiasts and farmers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But it\u2019s more than just about buying chicks. This tradition, rooted in the agricultural calendar, serves as a bridge between winter and spring. It signals not only a practical approach to poultry farming but also a cultural celebration of renewal and growth. It\u2019s more than a fun seasonal event\u2014it’s an annual agricultural milestone. It\u2019s also a dynamic sales period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seasonal trends vary based on factors like geographical location and evolving consumer preferences. Understanding these fluctuations is essential. Are backyard enthusiasts looking for specific breeds? Is there an uptick in demand for organic feeds? By deciphering these nuances, businesses can tailor their offerings, aligning with the pulse of consumer behavior during Chick Days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the seasoned dealer or feed store owner, Chick Days necessitates a strategic approach. Anticipating the ebb and flow of demand, optimizing inventory and crafting targeted promotions are imperative for success during this critical season. Strategic planning ensures businesses don’t merely navigate Chick Days; they thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our Starter Guide for Baby Chicks<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #1: Consider Your Customers\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Identifying your target customers during Chick Days is pivotal. Are they seasoned farmers, backyard hobbyists or first-time enthusiasts venturing into the world of chicken products? These customers are looking for different things from their dealers<\/em>, and you can<\/strong> service all of them if you\u2019re strategic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Customer Preferences for Chicken Products<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may sound like a lot of work, especially if you\u2019ve run Chick Days in the past, but where there\u2019s products to sell, there\u2019s more money to be made. With that in mind, it\u2019s important to think about what different types of customers may be looking for. Experienced farmers may gravitate towards heritage breeds, valuing their resilience and self-sufficiency. Hobbyists or first-time buyers are likely to prioritize organic or high-end feeds, as they want to guarantee success and don\u2019t know all the ins and outs of caring for chicks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also doesn\u2019t hurt to take some time to examine accessory trends. For instance\u2014novel coop designs, automated feeding systems or eco-friendly bedding options. While not all of these will be right for all your customers, they can be a great source of additional profit. That being said, don\u2019t make investments that don\u2019t match your community\u2019s needs. If your customer-base is exclusively long-standing chicken producers, you don\u2019t need to go all-in on chicken products for first timers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to make these considerations to ensure you\u2019re pre-empting demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #2: Create A Stellar Lineup of Chicken Products\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond live birds, dealers can enhance their product lineup with a comprehensive array of essential supplies and accessories. This encompasses coops, nesting boxes, bedding and other coop management essentials. Creating an all-in-one shopping destination ensures customers have convenient access to all chicken products required for a successful poultry-raising experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Value of Nutritional Supplements and Feeds\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The nutritional well-being of poultry is a top priority for backyard enthusiasts and farmers alike. Dealers can elevate their offerings by including a range of nutritional supplements and feeds. This includes specialized feeds for different life stages, ensuring optimal growth and egg production. Nutritional supplements, such as those promoting digestive health and immune support, add a layer of care to the product lineup, providing customers with comprehensive solutions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n BioZyme<\/a> offers a variety of excellent supplement products through our Backyard Boost<\/a> brand that you can steer customers toward! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Backyard Boost Products Include\u2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Backyard Boost\u00ae Defense\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response. Backyard Boost Defense<\/a> contains AO-Biotics\u00ae<\/sup> Amaferm\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and provides nutrients needed in times of stress. By adding this green liquid to their fresh water daily, you will promote water intake and hydration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Backyard Boost\u00ae Daily Essentials\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production. Backyard Boost Daily Essentials<\/a> also contains Amaferm. Additionally, it contains AO-Biotics\u00ae<\/sup> EQE<\/a>, a postbiotic research proven to enhance egg quality and production. This supplement also provides nutrients needed for overall well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Backyard Boost\u00ae Busy Balls\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A prebiotic treat to help bounce boredom, we designed Backyard Bost Busy Balls<\/a> to maximize engagement among backyard chickens and improve overall quality of life. Busy Balls also contain Amaferm, making them a powerful tool to supplement nutritional deficiencies and improve overall quality of life for a coop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #3: Merchandising for Brick-&-Mortar Stores\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now this is a subject that the BioZyme<\/a> marketing team has A LOT to say about. Not just because we\u2019re a big fan of our own work, but because it genuinely improves results for dealers at the checkout counter. And we believe that\u2019s what you deserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to make a killing on chicken products during Chick Days, effective merchandising is more than arranging shelves. It’s all about creating an immersive experience. A well-merchandised store isn’t just a place to buy supplies<\/strong>\u2014it’s a hub engaged customers will want to spend money and acquire information. How do you make that happen? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye-catching Displays and Signage<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Transform your store into a shopping destination with displays. Eye-catching arrangements draw customers in, highlighting the diverse array of chicken products you have available. They also make your store look better and more reputable across the board. You can even be strategic about how you place signage, subtly guiding your customers through the available offerings you carry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Create Themed Sections for Ease-of-Access <\/p>\n\n\n\n In particular, many dealers have success organizing their store with themed sections that mirror the journey of raising chickens. This not only simplifies the shopping experience for customers, it makes it easier for you to keep track of what you\u2019re selling the most of. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Educate Customers About Products In-Store<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowledge is key\u2014empower your customers with information about each product. Engage them through interactive displays and informative signage. We also encourage staying up to date on product details so you can have informed conversations with them! An educated customer is a confident customer, more likely to make purchases that ensure the success of both their flock and your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this blog for additional retail merchandising tips<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #5: Think Digitally\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re more than willing to recognize that this tip is easier said than done for a small operation. Especially if your customer base is older and less likely to use the internet to keep current on deals, seasonal events and purchasing information. But learning to take advantage of e-commerce platforms or social media to announce available chicken products during Chick Days can be a real boon to your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can consider running special deals on certain chicken products or allow customers to reserve purchases ahead-of-time online. You could even create social posts highlighting your store to potential users looking to partake in Chick Days. Being easier to find and engage with online will almost always help your sales numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Advice from an Expert\u2026<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n To provide you all with a little more usable information, we consulted with Content and Digital Strategy Manager John Sprong, our resident web marketing expert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re a small dealer servicing a smaller community, it\u2019s important to recognize your ability to reach new people online is going to be modest. It might not be worth the man hours necessary to execute a small campaign for your business. But if there\u2019s a real chance you can reach a larger, untapped audience, make sure your investment is meaningful. Link back to your business\u2019 website, run a countdown \u2018til the start of Chick Days, send reminder emails. You might even consider creating a special promotion for the event, and reposting your store\u2019s address to help new folks find you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI recognize this isn\u2019t going to be practical advice for everyone, but if you have a website, you want to create as many opportunities for your customers to engage with you digitally as possible. This can be through exclusive online deals, eblasts to loyal customers, or Facebook posts that you send out prior to the start of Chick Days. You want to highlight your chicken products, and why consumers should turn to YOU.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n As Sprong stated rather succinctly, \u201cwhat matters is planning ahead and following through on that strategy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #6: Encourage Customer Engagement\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As most dealers already know, engaged customers are the heartbeat of a successful business. That\u2019s why great dealers don\u2019t only focus on transactions. They create passionate consumers. This may sound a little hokey, we know, but it\u2019s worth thinking of your business as a community in-and-of itself. This can transform chicken product sales during Chick Days into sustainable, year-round revenue. But how do you do that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Build a Community Around Chick Days<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Transforming Chick Days from a transactional event to a community celebration is an investment in the longevity of your business. We have found that small dealers thrive by fostering connections, creating spaces where enthusiasts can share experiences, tips, and the joy of raising chickens. So, what does that look like? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Involve Your Customers <\/p>\n\n\n\n Empower your customers to share their Chick Days journey. This can be powerful online, or even in the store. Everything from posting testimonials, leaving business reviews or sharing photos, videos and posts about their journey raising chickens. If you care about their experience, they\u2019ll come back to keep buying from you. It can also do wonders to help encourage other people online to pay you a visit and spend money with you. There\u2019s no better advertising than an enthusiastic customer! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think About a Customer Loyalty Program <\/p>\n\n\n\n Loyalty is a two-way street. Implementing a customer loyalty program not only rewards purchases but also acknowledges engagement. From exclusive Chick Days previews to special discounts, valuable incentives can be a key driver in new business. Who wouldn\u2019t want to be a dedicated customer with a dealer that values them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip #7: Encourage Feedback\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a small operation looking to make the most of this Chick Days and improve in the years to come, there\u2019s no better compass than your customers. This holds true for larger dealers and feed stores, too. Nobody knows whether your customers are getting what they want better than your customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why if Chick Days come to a close, and you\u2019re wanting to take stock of what worked and what didn\u2019t, turn to your customers. It\u2019s possible their feedback doesn\u2019t give you much direction. Lots of folks might not be comfortable sharing their unfiltered opinion. But there\u2019s real value in asking for honest feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you didn\u2019t have the chicken products they were looking for, or the layout of your store could use a little bit of fine-tuning. All of that is useful information. But also, it lets your customers know that you care about their experience. More than that, it showcases that you want to serve them better in the future. So, even if you get nothing but glowing reviews, checking in with the people you serve can be a great way to ensure you get repeat customers next Chick Days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n BioZyme Can Help Make the Most of Chick Days <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve read this blog and are feeling overwhelmed about prepping for Chick Days, don\u2019t worry. BioZyme is here to help. Most standardized retail merchandising supplies can be requested through the Online Dealer Center<\/a> or through your Area Sales Manager<\/a>. There are exceptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To request Backyard Boost<\/a> display boxes, email Sam Albers at salbers@biozymeinc.com<\/a>, with your dealership name, the type needed (Backyard Bird or Songbird) and quantity needed. These will be delivered to you by your ASM, preassembled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have an idea for something you\u2019d like to see? Submit a Marketing Request<\/a> or watch the Dealer Facebook<\/a> page and VISION newsletter for more merchandising material in the future or to ask for help.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What\u2019s So Special About Chick Days?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Planning for Chick Days\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our Tips for Ensuring Successful Chick Days for Your Business\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n