are meat birds cost effective?

[Bossroo]

Have any of you factored in cost (rent), property taxes, farm insurance of land , cost of irrigation of pasture, or even your labor for free ranging? In our neck of the woods in the arrid West, land is $200,000++ an acre for 1-5 acre parcels and the vast majority has CC&Rs that don't allow any farm animals let alone a chicken on them. ( We are actively looking for some that one can have farm animals on... and can't find any unless it is in a depressed area). When all costs are factored in , the large chicken producers are working on 1/4 cent profit per bird. So your costs of production is much more than you may believe.

 

[belibutn]

I figured in the EXTRA cost that the meat chickens (cornish x rocks from Welp) causes... feed and bedding. We already own the land, already pay the bills, the water addition is negligible, and there is no extra electricity usage. We raise batches of about 50, and sell off half or more of that for $2.50/lb for whole roasters and various other prices for parted up birds.

They are exceptionally cost effective for us, because we sell enough to cover the cost spent on ordering and raising them. True, grocery store chicken can be cheaper, but for us, we end up having about 3 months worth of meat for free, for nothing but time spent. On top of that we are getting some excellent compost for the gardens next year.

 

[greyfields]

You won't save any money doing it; and you'll lose an untold ammount if you value your time even at minimum wage.

If you care about putting wholesome food on your plate, then it's worth the cost.