Chicken Feed Up 20% Since October - OUCH !

[Barry Natchitoches]

I'm probably not telling you folks something you don't already know, but chicken feed is up 20% since late October of 2010, according to my feed store receipts.


In late October, I bought a 50 pound bag of layer feed for $9.95.


Yesterday, I bought three 50 pound bags of layer feed for $11.95.


That is a 20% increase over less than a half year ago.


OUCH !!!!!!!!

 

[Desert Rooster]

Game bird feed went from 12.99 in july 2010 to 19.99 in march 2011

 

[gumbii]

yeah, i felt it too... gamecock mix went from 15.00 to 16.99 for 50lbs... and i just got into the hobby... sigh...

 

[Dare 2 Dream Farm]

Our 50 lb. bag of feed went from 11.50 to 16 in Central Coast California. 50 lb. bag of starter is now $19.

 

[Fred's Hens]

With thousands of additional new keepers of chickens, I guess that demand is up. But the real culprit is grain costs. Commodities like corn are at record highs, as they track right along with the barrel price of oil. Oh yeah, gasoline/diesel prices have doubled in the last year and a half. Feed follows right along.

Anyone beside me think that all the newbie chick buyers are in for a bit of a shock once their 24 cute, little fuzz balls grow up begin to consume $100 worth a feed every month?

 

[Dare 2 Dream Farm]

Not to mention the government subsidies on ethanol to jack up corn prices...

 

[Tikkijane]

Fred's Hens :

With thousands of additional new keepers of chickens, I guess that demand is up. But the real culprit is grain costs. Commodities like corn are at record highs, as they track right along with the barrel price of oil. Oh yeah, gasoline/diesel prices have doubled in the last year and a half. Feed follows right along.

Anyone beside me think that all the newbie chick buyers are in for a bit of a shock once their 24 cute, little fuzz balls grow up begin to consume $100 worth a feed every month?

Ok, how long will we be spending that much?! I won't be having that many, but am trying to get a good feel for monthly maintenance cost. Still looking, but anyone have good estimates?

TIA!
Tikki

 

[Merryment]

The drought in the midwest last year resulted in pretty poor corn production. The price per bushel went way up this winter. Even the ethanol producers are having trouble buying it. It wouldn't break my heart to not have ethanol gas - the BTUs suck.

So our prices have gone up. Good news for corn producers, bad news for us. Egg prices might have to go up too. At least our feed goes a bit further. My friend Stephen, who raises pasture-fed hogs, has to supplement with grain in the winter. Those big girls eat some feed! I'd trade my feed bill for his any day.

I'm just glad that the bugs & grass are more plentiful these days and the girls aren't eating as much feed. The little 'uns, though! Wow, it's like feeding teenage boys!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Different breeds/types eat differing amounts. Free ranging cuts down on the feed, as the chickens are able find "some" of their own food.

A flock of 12 full sized hens, either in a run/coop or cooped in the winter especially, will consume a 50# bag of feed every two weeks, in the winter, if it is harsh, to help themselves warm. Cut that in half, perhaps, in the summer. There's your extremes.

Add electricity for heating water in the winter, add a light for the keeper to see in the winter, add material for litter, such as straw @ $4.50 a bale or wood chips @ 5 a bale as well. That's about it. A flock of 12 full sized hens cost, on year 'round average, $40 a month to keep.
As always, your mileage may vary.

 

[Tikkijane]

Fred's Hens :

Different breeds/types eat differing amounts. Free ranging cuts down on the feed, as the chickens are able find "some" of their own food.

A flock of 12 full sized hens, either in a run/coop or cooped in the winter especially, will consume a 50# bag of feed every two weeks, in the winter, if it is harsh, to help themselves warm. Cut that in half, perhaps, in the summer. There's your extremes.

Add electricity for heating water in the winter, add a light for the keeper to see in the winter, add material for litter, such as straw @ $4.50 a bale or wood chips @ 5 a bale as well. That's about it. A flock of 12 full sized hens cost, on year 'round average, $40 a month to keep.
As always, your mileage may vary.

Good to know- thanks! Now if only we ate that many eggs, lololol.