California-Southern

[Phage]

[COLOR=0000FF]Ok, this is for all the legal beagle member of BYC. This is my response the email I got from Norco. I would like to hear from Susan Maclean. All thoughts welcomed...[/COLOR]

Thanks for doing this. It is quite an effort!!! I am not sure I would call us backyard farmers as I doubt many of us have a farm or have property that could be legally run as such. How about backyard hobbists? Also farm suggests it is a money-making business and we all know we loose $$ doing this!!

 

[ozexpat]

In the Philippines, though it's a different market, I am basically the only supplier.

I charge ten bucks for chicks and a dollar a week to raise them.

If I pay three dollars an egg average with just a twenty five percent hatch rate they cost me twelve dollars to hatch. Then I have to raise them before I can hope to sell offspring.

It takes a lot of chicks to break even.

I am not in out to get rich. It's nice if I can cover a few bags of feed

 

[hosspak]

.

$25 for a bag of feed is about what we pay in Del Mar. Wish I could find it cheaper but that is pretty standard and is not even organic.

I read somewhere that it costs $7.50 in feed to raise a chick to laying age.
How much it actually costs will depend on where you are and how much waste you prevent. Of course it also takes time, bedding and energy, and egg cost, but even so it may be hard selling unsexed chicks for that much, especially when feed stores sell chicks sexed for $4.

Last summer I could not get $25 for 14 week old cream Legbar Pullets and sold the lot off to a guy at $14 each as I did not have room to keep them and I am limited to 25 birds.

I find most people just want a female chick. Hopefully there is a good market for chicks in Lakewood!!!!!

We pay $11.99 for reg scratch and 15.99 for reg lay pellets and crumble in Lake Elsinore. In 50 lb bags.

 

[hosspak]

Ok, this is for all the legal beagle member of BYC. This is my response the email I got from Norco. I would like to hear from Susan Maclean. All thoughts welcomed..

This is the final version just sent to the City of Norco:


Robin,
This email is in response to your request for information regarding our events.
We are not an organized formal group. We are a group of individuals who plan a social event twice a year and enjoy raising farm animals such as rabbits, poultry, and goats. We raise these animals as a healthy alternative to the chemically treated foods sold in supermarkets. In addition, these animals provide a less expensive way to feed our families given the increasing cost of groceries today. Throughout the year many individuals breed these animals in order to increase the numbers of animals in order to sell or trade to others for different animals in return. We do not sell these animals for profit but we sell them in order to provide others with an inexpensive food source (meat or eggs), and to cover the cost of raising our animals. Many breed these animals as projects for their child’s school programs such as; Future Farmers of America (FFA) or the 4-H Club where these animals are entered into competitions then usually auctioned to offset the cost of raising such animals. We use these biannual meetings as a way for everyone to socialize with others from all areas of Southern California and to provide the possibility of obtaining a variety of different breeds of animals from those who want something special or different from their own, as a result, everyone has the opportunity to reduce the number of excess animals in their possession to guard against overpopulations.
The number of individual groups over the past 4 years ranges from about 10 to around 25. This past event on Saturday had about 25 groups and around 40 people all totaled and not all of these groups were selling items. In addition, our event drew the attention of many people from the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses without the use of advertising, by word of mouth to those who communicate regularly on the internet. We would estimate approximately 100 to 150 people visited the event who just happened to notice our group in the park and many purchased or traded for some of the animals that we offered. We believe this had an added benefit to the surrounding businesses such as the new Tractor Supply store on Hamner which had its grand opening on the same day.
I have been in contact with the California Board of Equalization in regards to obtaining Seller/Vendor permits per the request by the City of Norco. Given the provisions that we raise, breed, sell or trade a food item such as poultry, rabbits, and goats/sheep which are non-taxable food items, per the requirements for Selling/Vender permits, we would be exempt from needing such permits. Those individuals who attend our event who actually operate as a company would already have a business license and would be required to obtain a Vendors permit.
We welcome all inspections from any of the City departments in order to ease any concerns the city may have regarding these events. Furthermore, given the fact that we have had many successful events over the past four years at this location without any known problems or negative feedback we are confident that continuing our events at this location would benefit both the City of Norco and its residents. In addition, upon the successful inspections and inquiries from all departments we ask that our event be placed on the Cities Event calendar for an agreed upon number of years in the future which could be terminated by either party at anytime. We would also agree to provide the appropriate funds for renting the facilities at Neal Snipes Park and any additional fees required by the City. However, we ask that these fees and the possible need for a Norco Business License, if possible, be waived for our not-for-profit social gathering.
We hope this has addressed all your questions and concerns. We look forward to hearing from you soon so we can start planning for our next meeting in October. We also look forward to a beneficial relationship with the City of Norco for years to come.
On behalf of the many small backyard hobbyists’ in the Southern California area, we thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Richard Holland
951-378-3827

Ok everyone, I just emailed the response to the City of Norco....Fingers crossed for positive reply...

 

[SixHix]

In regards to all the red tape in Norco:
It's bureaucrats like this that are the problem.
I got gas in Norco and usually take the kids out to eat somewhere nearby- multiplied by 50- 100 people showing up to these events. That's already more tax revenue for them than they deserve. to me it sounds like some other location/city is more worthy of our business than Norco.
Vote with your dollars. That speaks louder than words. I wouldn't pay them a single dime.
It makes more sense to find someone on private property IMHO.

 

[hosspak]

In regards to all the red tape in Norco:
It's bureaucrats like this that are the problem.
I got gas in Norco and usually take the kids out to eat somewhere nearby- multiplied by 50- 100 people showing up to these events. That's already more tax revenue for them than they deserve. to me it sounds like some other location/city is more worthy of our business than Norco.
Vote with your dollars. That speaks louder than words. I wouldn't pay them a single dime.
It makes more sense to find someone on private property IMHO.

Unfortunately, this is true everywhere... But since nobody has to do anything right now, there is no problem.

Are you volunteering your property for the next event?

Like I said, it's not the hoops to jump through that are the problem. It's how you ask for their permission. People are often surprised by what can be gained until they ask. We have nothing to lose and we just may get more than we need...

 

[SixHix]

Absolutely. I'd be happy to have people at my place.
And it should clarify I'd have no problem paying a rental fee for a pavilion- I DON'T think it's right that they want to insist on every kind of permit they can think of.
It's fine if you want to spend your time asking for permission to do something that shouldn't need it in the first place. That's a great letter and hopefully it accomplishes it's objective. I hope you didn't take my comment as some sort of insult to you.
I just think the better plan is to make all these people obsolete who justify there existence by harassing good people. I've long ago lost my patience for dealing with those sorts of people.
I'm serious- we can pick a day and have it in Hemet.

 

[hosspak]

Absolutely. I'd be happy to have people at my place.
And it should clarify I'd have no problem paying a rental fee for a pavilion- I DON'T think it's right that they want to insist on every kind of permit they can think of.
It's fine if you want to spend your time asking for permission to do something that shouldn't need it in the first place. That's a great letter and hopefully it accomplishes it's objective. I hope you didn't take my comment as some sort of insult to you.
I just think the better plan is to make all these people obsolete who justify there existence by harassing good people. I've long ago lost my patience for dealing with those sorts of people.
I'm serious- we can pick a day and have it in Hemet.

Six.... no worries, I've had better insults in my life. lol

Unfortunately, I think a public area where everyone can see it and visit as they pass by is much better suited for these events. I mentioned the rental charge in the letter and asked that it be waived for us. Can't hurt to ask.

Another unfortunately, there will always be people like this that for some reason must try and stand above the own positions. That's what makes it all more satisfying for us to give them that little push to knock them down a peg.......or two!

 

[Critter Crue]

.

$25 for a bag of feed is about what we pay in Del Mar. Wish I could find it cheaper but that is pretty standard and is not even organic.

I read somewhere that it costs $7.50 in feed to raise a chick to laying age.
How much it actually costs will depend on where you are and how much waste you prevent. Of course it also takes time, bedding and energy, and egg cost, but even so it may be hard selling unsexed chicks for that much, especially when feed stores sell chicks sexed for $4.

Last summer I could not get $25 for 14 week old cream Legbar Pullets and sold the lot off to a guy at $14 each as I did not have room to keep them and I am limited to 25 birds.

I find most people just want a female chick. Hopefully there is a good market for chicks in Lakewood!!!!!

The cost of raising a chick to laying age will vary depending on the cost of the feed, but that is just eh cost of feed. There are other factors to take into consideration. Such as the purchase price and shipping of the hatching eggs, the electricity for running that brooder for 21+ days and then another handful of weeks of 24/7 burning of a heat lamp, there is the cost of brooder set-up (if this is your initial hatch), the cost of bedding, water, any supplements, and of course vaccinations if you should choose to vaccinate. If you factor in those things even before factoring in your time in caring for, checking for pasty butt and socializing all of the chicks you most certainly should be able to appreciate the weekly influx of cost per chick.

Yes, the Langshans are priced high, so were the eggs when purchased, these are a threatened, heritage breed that had a low hatch rate. The assorted chicks coming on Easter are priced out at a far lower price as is comparable with their egg plus shipping price.

While I understand the disappointment you all must see in the pricing of these chicks, it is unfortunate that there is so much cutting down of one person and their choice of pricing of chicks.

Secondly, Carriebain and I have been trying our damnedest to pull together a meet-up before June to hopefully sell these Easter hatches at the lower, early age pricing. I apologize for my uneducated choice in describing your Norco meet-up as a flop. It was not intended to be insulting. I had merely heard you all had been chased out and thought in offering my home such a thing could be avoided. I understand if you are not interested in coming. We have been rather flip-flop on the dates as carriebain has a son in baseball and we were trying to work around that schedule.

Again, I am sorry if you found my comment rude or offending in any manner, that was never the intention. Please remember, just because you are safe behind the computer does not mean your words do not hurt those at which they are so easily flung.

 

[hosspak]

Again, I am sorry if you found my comment rude or offending in any manner, that was never the intention. Please remember, just because you are safe behind the computer does not mean your words do not hurt those at which they are so easily flung.

Ok, everyone....stop slinging manure...lol

Stop trying to break down the cost of raising chickens.... if my wife see's this...I'm DONE FOR!!!! lol