$0.31 a peice but are we really saving any $$$???

[sparkles2307]

We got egg breed cockerels from Cackle for cheap, but the neighbor (amazing how every MAN in the state of MN thinks he knows everything just because he grew up on a farm) says we are not going to save ANYTHING because we will have to spend 2x the $ on feed to get them up to butcher size.... OK but we are going to feed them homegrown feed as soon as we get them off chick starter, so how are we losing $? or are we ? I just dont know anymore, everyone with their opinion.... just raise your own chicks and let me raise mine, why do you care if mine take longer to finish than yours do!?! (Can you tell we have a lot of "helpful" neighbors now that we have chickens?) ahhhh!

 

[LynneP]

Do it your way- there are lots of opinions on raising livestock, that's for sure.
If you don't find it as satisfactory as you wish, reassess and go at it again.
It's how we learn!

 

[sparkles2307]

LOL yes that is so true!

I drove thru part of Nova Scotia once, 12 years ago in July. VERY pretty! We were on the way to PEI to go to Green Gables for my 13th b-day

I remember the road having such nice trees on either side and all the GREEN!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I think some come out saving, some come out with more spent, and some come out about even....just depends on several factors.....but in the end, raising your own food will make you feel alot better and that is worth more money spent, if any IMO

They are enjoyable to raise too....

 

[LynneP]

The apples and pears are blooming, everything is at that emerald green stage.
Chicks are at the co-ops, and the summer festivals are starting.

Next time, turn right at the causeway and head to Nova Scotia!

 

[sparkles2307]

Speaking of raising your own food... our friends decided to raise their own chicken meat too, so they bought TWO cornish at TSC, one died, and they are convinced that they need to raise the other for 8 months before its butcher ready.... oy vay! I dont say a word tho, I dont like ppl telling me how to do it so I dont tell them!

 

[ams3651]

Ive always figured it wouldnt really save a lot of money based on how cheap chickens are in the grocery store but you will be getting a better quality and better tasting bird, in my opinion.

 

[LynneP]

That's pretty funny, and maybe they'll get attached to it by then...

 

[sparkles2307]

a cornish x will die before it gets to be 8 months old, wont it? I thought they grow so fast they have organ failure at a certain size/age.

Anyways yes I am hoing that we save $$$ but even if we dont, we will spend whatever all at once, but have a freezer full and not worry about buying any more at the store for a long time. DH even said this morning that he wants to order another 100 later in the summer!!!!

 

[Akane]

You won't save money raising your own chickens. If that's your purpose then go back to buying store bought. You can't beat the factory farms that do everything in bulk.

What are you making homemade feed out of? Generally that actually isn't more cost effective either because you need a large protein source. Chickens do best on animal protein. They can survive on plant proteins but it takes a lot. Most of the time you don't end up savings there either because those that make chicken feeds have access to lots of cheap leftover animal protein sources. No matter how you do it meat birds would probably be more cost effective than trying to raise layer roosters but again if your in it just to save money go back to store bought chicken.