I think chickens are expensive! Why hasn't anyone mentioned vet trips, buying antibiotics, and dealing with all the little disasters that happen. I got my first turkey baby and had her for TWO weeks and she suddenly came down sick! Took her to the vet (she refused to eat or drink and just layed there). My vet spent 3 days with her tube feeding her and giving her antibiotic shots into her breast twice a day. It was awful! Once I got her home, I had to continue the Baytril antibiotics twice a day oraly and figure out the best way to open her beak and get it down- she was feeling much better by then and not very cooperative. I had to buy an $80 dog kennel to keep her in the house in while she recovered- that was pricey!
Okay... so fast forward, I'm working on my coop now... I've spent probably $400 already and don't have a whole lot to show for it! That is including trying my best to find free stuff on CraigsList (no luck) and going to the Habitat's ReStore for cheaper items. No one would give me pallets- they said that they have to return them, so no free wood for me. I'd say the baby chicks I have ordered are worth their weight in gold- probably more. That's not including the feed I've bought so far. Which, okay- the feed isn't going to be too bad, but it IS an expense. And if you don't have any money coming in, you simply can't afford it. They won't be here yet for a few more weeks, but I haven't set up a brooder yet either- more money... I saw the heat lamp was about $10 and that did not include the light which was another $8 at my feedstore. I would never have an animal that i couldn't afford to take to the vet if there were an emergency or buy the products necessary to care for them in their time of need. Don't get me wrong- I love doing all of this! I'm enjoying it and getting a kick out of it. But this costs money, and no way would I tell anyone this was a cheap venture.
Okay... so fast forward, I'm working on my coop now... I've spent probably $400 already and don't have a whole lot to show for it! That is including trying my best to find free stuff on CraigsList (no luck) and going to the Habitat's ReStore for cheaper items. No one would give me pallets- they said that they have to return them, so no free wood for me. I'd say the baby chicks I have ordered are worth their weight in gold- probably more. That's not including the feed I've bought so far. Which, okay- the feed isn't going to be too bad, but it IS an expense. And if you don't have any money coming in, you simply can't afford it. They won't be here yet for a few more weeks, but I haven't set up a brooder yet either- more money... I saw the heat lamp was about $10 and that did not include the light which was another $8 at my feedstore. I would never have an animal that i couldn't afford to take to the vet if there were an emergency or buy the products necessary to care for them in their time of need. Don't get me wrong- I love doing all of this! I'm enjoying it and getting a kick out of it. But this costs money, and no way would I tell anyone this was a cheap venture.