Dahline Poultry: Starting Small, Dreaming Big

A Young Entrepreneur’s Journey in Business

Dahline Poultry: Starting Small, Dreaming Big

Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Cappy Tosetti Most teenagers turning 16 look forward to getting their driver’s license and owning a car. Hunter Dahline of Willmar, Minnesota has other plans; he has his eye on constructing a new building to expand his poultry business.   

“Having everything under one roof will be more efficient and cost-effective,” explains the young entrepreneur. “I won’t have to run back and forth between the little sheds and chicken coops that house my hatchlings, incubators, paperwork, and supplies. I’ve been saving money and drawing different floorplans in hopes of starting construction in two years. I can’t wait to hammer the first nail!” 

Hunter is an exceptional ninth grader who operates Dahline Poultry where he raises, sells, and ships egg-laying and meat chicks, turkey poults, guineafowl, ducks, geese, and pheasants. He started his business four years ago selling farm-fresh eggs in the community.   

Parental Support

“At first, we thought it might be a short-lived activity,” explains his mother, Sue Dahline, “but Hunter’s enthusiasm never waned. He embraced the idea wholeheartedly, increasing his list of customers while researching everything he could about chickens and the poultry business. I gave him a small incubator that belonged to my father, and soon Hunter had set up shop by raising 10 chicks in one of the outbuildings by the barn. Every night at dinner, he shares the progress he’s making with more hatchlings, and new ways to market his business. We’re there to guide him and help with errands, but he’s the reason the business is a success.” 

Hunter with chicks from Dahline Poultry

Right from the start, Hunter’s parents encouraged his interest in the poultry business as long as he continued to keep up his grades and finish his daily chores. They needn’t worry; their oldest son is an A student, excelling in all subjects, and he does more than his share around the house. They also emphasized the importance of just being a kid — having fun playing baseball, fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling with his friends. It’s important to have balance in life.   

Having a Business Plan

Hunter followed his parents’ advice, carving out a schedule that allows him time to build a business and enjoy his teenage years. A typical weekday begins before dawn where he checks and feeds all the chicks, answers email, and updates his website before catching the bus at 6:40 a.m. After school, he returns home to process telephone and website orders, marking the weekly calendar for shipment deliveries. There’s always something that needs his attention — getting labels and boxes ready, general cleaning and repairs, feeding and caring for the chicks, and keeping up with bookkeeping entries and other office work. In between studying and homework assignments, Hunter is an avid reader and researcher with a thirst for knowledge about the poultry industry.  

“I love discovering more about the different breeds of birds,” he says with great enthusiasm, “and I like to stay current with the latest news about health issues, good management practices, and ways to improve customer service. I also enjoy learning about other poultry businesses. Books and the internet are great, but nothing compares to meeting people and listening to their advice.” 

Never Too Young for Business

One such individual is Etta Schlecht, of Schlecht Hatchery, a family-owned business celebrating 50 years raising chickens and turkeys located in Miles, Iowa. Etta still remembers the day her new customer telephoned to place an order for some chicks. 

“I had no idea he was in middle school,” says Etta with a laugh. “Hunter sounded so mature and professional on the phone. I only learned about his age a few months later when his mother called, relaying a message from Hunter that he was sorry he couldn’t call from school. I was completely dumbfounded realizing he was a sixth-grader. We had chatted many times on the telephone when Hunter called to place an order or ask a business question. I always thought he was an adult; I’m still in shock!” 

It was a comfort for Etta to hear others had experienced the same thing. “It happens all the time,” explained Sue Dahline. “Hunter’s voice is well developed, and his mannerisms are polite and professional.  He’s also accustomed to speaking to adults — whether he’s putting in an order for feed or checking that a shipment of chicks arrived safely to a customer. It’s such a delight to see the positive connections he makes with people.” 

National Poultry Improvement Plan

Etta had an opportunity to meet Hunter in person when the family took a road trip the following year. “They patiently waited for him with glasses of lemonade on the porch while the two of us toured the hatchery. He was so curious, asking questions and discussing business procedures like a pro. We talked about the benefits of being part of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), the organization that began in the 1930s, setting the standard for safeguarding the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country. Hunter is well informed and connected with the organization, explaining how he hopes to attend some workshops in the future. He’s also in the loop with local and regional agricultural associations that help with many aspects of operating a business.” 

Hunter wasn’t the only one taking notes that day. Etta had a list of questions herself about updating the hatchery’s website and learning more about marketing through social media. How wonderful having a bright young entrepreneur right there willing to share his expertise and computer knowledge. There’s always an opportunity in learning a new skill — no matter the age of an individual or their years of experience.   

As the two friends said goodbye, Etta waved as the car disappeared down the driveway, remembering the young man’s wisdom about operating his business: “It’s really quite simple. Stay up with school and keep up with the birds. The rest is a breeze.” 

What a comfort knowing the next generation of raising poultry is in good hands with young Hunter at the helm. The future looks bright! 

For more information about Dahline Poultry: 


Originally published in the June/July 2020 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy.

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