Anyone Limiting Their Flock Due to Costs and Economy?

[JohnL11935]

I appreciate everyone's input.

What I've learned thus far relates to my girls' feed. I definitely need to make a strong effort at giving them our scraps and 'doggy bags;' though the dogs may have something to say about that. I will continue with my plan of growing them a few extra rows in the garden.

Also, I probably need to find a cheaper source of feed thasn Purina. Sure, they love it, but I bet I can do better than $18 / 50# bag from the local feed store.

I appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts.


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[swampducks]

I was planning on buying 25 straight run dark cornish this year because I read they are good foragers which would help with feed costs in summer. But I already have 10 hens and 2 roos of other good egg laying breeds and they do forage fairly well (buckeys , BRs and GLWs). But DH and I decided to nix that $80m expenditure and I'll just hatch a few eggs in a borrowed incubator to ensure I always have younger egg layers on hand. Seilling eggs around here isn't very profitable, most people see to be out of work and have their own chickens anyway.

I'm definitely not making money on this operation. But I sure do enjoy the fluffy butts, they're my entertainment since DH and I don't go ou to movies, etc.

I am toying with the idea of a few geese, just thinking about it, mind you...

 

[epona4]

Quote:
I will let you know how it goes with ours! If this chicken and geese thing works out this year, we might get some Muskovies next year. My mother in law mentioned that it might be nice to have roast duck!

 

[tim_TX]

Wow,

$18.00 for purina? A 50lb bag of Purina Layena (All Natural Sun Fresh Recipe) is $13.00 in Central Texas. Dumor is $11.99 for 50 pounds of 16% layer pellets.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Anyone Limiting Their Flock Due to Costs and Economy?

No. Chickens are cheaper than my other hobbies, which include skiing, buying books on Amazon and dining out. There have been evenings that DH and I have skipped going out and, instead, shared a $14 bottle of wine & some crackers at home. Stayed home in order to shut in the birds for DD. Saved $40-$50.

The chickens are part of my daughter's education. Cheaper than software. (And softer!) She is running a fledgling egg business. She brings in about $40 month. That pretty much covers what the chickens cost us (but I let her keep some $). She is also learning that she can be a help, when she gives eggs to someone who needs food.

For me, in my situation, my chicken hobby is a bargain. However, I am in a position to feed them and cover their vet care no matter what & I think that's what we owe any animal we acquire. I think it is irresponsible to buy chickens on a maxed out credit card or with the last $10 in your wallet. So, yes, it is as much a matter of personal economy as it is THE Economy.

 

[CARS]

Management... I learned the hard way what NOT to do.

In the fall of '07, spring and summer of '08 Corn was very high, which meant that my feed was high. (My mill charges me board price for the corn and blends in the protein mix) I think at one point it went up about $2.50 a bag! So I decided not to get any new layers. BIG MISTAKE!!!

Right now I have 2 and 3 year old layers, and i'm not talking about the steady layers like leghorns and sex links, I have EE and other "pretty" birds. I went through most of this last winter with no eggs. I even improved my barn, the ventilation, timed lights, everything before winter. So I have a good investment in these 25 hens and no return. Why, because I didn't refresh my flock and chose "iffy" egg breeds. I still had to feed them and care for them (I like that though). I even upped the protein level when they stopped laying which meant more $$.

So now, with 20% protein (weening them back down to 16 I hope) and 40 to 50 degree temps, I am starting to get an egg from everyone every few days. Still not the egg per hen a day I built my now long lost customer list with, but at least I have enough to make my family breakfast once in a while.

So now I lost my egg customers to others. The price of eggs in the stores have come down a bit and leveled off. Do I ramp up egg production again? Not sure if I can get my customers back so then I am stuck with eggs I can't sell to offset some of the costs associated with raising chickens.

Don't even get me going on my 3 year old mini-rex's that can't seem to keep a litter to full term. Free loaders!!!

Oh ya, and then I found you people this winter. Great. Now I am building an incubator, want to start raising quail, and do even more barn and run improvements. You should be ashamed of yourselves!!

 

[Leah-yes I know I'm crazy]

And 50lbs. of layer mash at the mill here is $7.25 today.
I built a MissPrissy bator and anything that hatches is already sold. We keep a coffee can and work on a cash basis for all things chicken since September. As of today we are up $32.50. Not a big proffit, but still not a loss. With spring in sight and grass growing for the girls I expect we will make enough to buy a better bator.

 

[CARS]

Leah-yes I know I'm crazy :

We keep a coffee can and work on a cash basis for all things chicken since September. As of today we are up $32.50. Not a big proffit, but still not a loss.

That is a real good idea. I think at the end of the month I will "chip in" $100.00 and only spend it on the animals. We'll see which ones are pulling their weight. (I bet the dog and rabbits wont do anything

)​

 

[cwc362]

Quote:
I just advertised on freecycle for anything that can go in the chickens or anything that can go in the compost pile!! LOL I advertised for leaves pine needles out of date canned goods etc. I finally got tired of listing specifics and just put anything that can go in compost pile or a chicken pen!! Wish I could get a lot of Coffee grounds- They make great compost!!

 

[cwc362]

Quote:
Even if you don't make money on the chickens - per say- They do keep you occupied and they keep me from wanting to spend money on other stuff . LOL