Quote: Cost depends on rarity and quality. You may get a hatchery bird for $5 or less, but a breeder who has gone to the trouble of getting the best birds, of evaluating every generation of their birds for breed characteristics and health, who only breeds the best birds and culls the rest is not going to sell even their cast offs for $5.
Some people don't care about all that. No one says they have to. If all they want are eggs, they are better off buying cheap birds. Beginners especially may be better off getting their experience with cheap birds.
If you want good Russian Orloffs, I can recommend Rare Feathers Farm. Her birds are not cheap, but they're very good quality.