Are your hens paying for themselves?

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

NO...enough said

 

[Illia]

Yes, except the last couple months, no. But in most cases, yes.

 

[Nambroth]

Quote:
Erin: I'm right there with you! I doubt mine will ever pay for themselves, but I never intended them to.

 

[RedDrgn]

Heck no - mine haven't even thought about laying yet! Regardless, they're in two small a number to ever pay any of their upkeep off. We never planned to profit, though. Just an experience thing, which is already well into the black.

 

[greymane]

Quote:
Love this!

I agree yes, best therapy around

So true. My DW swears by it!

 

[CowgirlPenny]

Not yet. At this point we still have young hens who are laying different sized eggs. Some days big, some days smaller. So I don't feel right selling them when they are not all 'large' quality.

But I think in the future they will. Of course we will never recoop the cost of their coop, run and all the accessories but as far as feed goes, I hope to pay little out of pocket for feed in the future. I have 26 chickens. I spend $30 a month on feed. I hope to start selling eggs for $2 a dozen. I get a minimum of a a dozen every other day (hopefully a dozen a day soon) so if I could just sell 10 a month I'd be happy with that. Then they only cost me $10 a month to feed which is far less than buying a month's worth of free range eggs at the store for my family of 5.

 

[PaleMelanesian]

Mine were paying for themselves until recently. I paid $25 total for my 8x8 coop and attached run by reusing nearly all the materials. It's easier to dig out of a hole when it's a small one.

Reasons for recent low production:
1. I added a new batch of pullets. They've been eating but not laying and that's expensive. They're 20 weeks now so I should see some results soon.
2. This incredible heat in Texas has dropped production down to 1/3 of normal. It should get cooler someday and production should pick up.

 

[allpeepedout]

Not financially, but I am impressed by how pleased friends and neighbors are by a gift of a dozen colorful eggs. Small gifts may yield unexpected returns of a different kind, and real eggs seem better appreciated than a cheap bottle of wine!

 

[PaleMelanesian]

Quote:
That's the truth!

 

[nanawendy]

Mine pay for their food in egg sales and most supplies but well over pay in shear delight