- Jan 14, 2008
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I can afford to feed my chickens because I can afford to feed my chickens. If I couldn't afford to feed them I wouldn't have them.
Confused.......how can you afford to feed your chickens
- Thread starter tobin123
- Start date
Feed costs are higher than a kite, agreed. But, I can only afford to keep proficient layers. Period. No pets here. No offense to those who do.
I've also raised the price of my eggs twice in the past 4 months. Had to. No choice. Still, it is basically break even at best.
Farming has always been on the thinnest of margins. Nothing new.
I've also raised the price of my eggs twice in the past 4 months. Had to. No choice. Still, it is basically break even at best.
Farming has always been on the thinnest of margins. Nothing new.
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Good job negotiating with your feed mill. They must be desperate for business to agree to such discounts on a miniscule amount of feed. I doubt they are making any profit on yoru business.
I hope they are mixing it in a mixer designed for small batches, if they are trying to do it in a double ribbon commercial mixer it might not be mixed appropriately.
Good job negotiating with your feed mill. They must be desperate for business to agree to such discounts on a miniscule amount of feed. I doubt they are making any profit on yoru business.
I hope they are mixing it in a mixer designed for small batches, if they are trying to do it in a double ribbon commercial mixer it might not be mixed appropriately.
Well this is what I do............. (this is just my 2 cents, so I hope that I don't offend anyone)
1. Researched and found a local feed mill who has worked with me as far as a specific feed (with the necessary protein, etc.) that I buy in BULK. The final cost per 50lb bag is only $5.00 per bag. I purchase (30) 50 lb bags (1,500 lbs of feed) for only $180.00 that lasts for months. BULK BULK BULK works best for me.
2. I get FREE bread and treats at the bread store.
3. I get FREE fruits and vegetables from my neighbor who owns his own business in which he sells (fruits and vegetables). All of the bruised fruits and vegetables that he doesn't sell for that day, he drops them off to me.
4. Friends and co-workers bring me their expired/outdated/bruised fruits and vegetables that are still good to feed my flock.
5. I pick up FREE bruised fruit and vegetables from local stores.
6. My flock free ranges and eats grass and bugs.
7. I sell my eggs and I have a waiting list of customers needing eggs. The money I make from selling eggs goes back into the budget for buying feed.
8. Any leftovers from breakfast, lunch and dinner is fed back to my flock.
9. At work (we clean the fridge out weekly), I get the weekly leftovers (rice/vegetables, fruit/bread/pasta) in the company fridge. That food is fed back to my flock.
Miscellaneous tips:
1. I don't drink, smoke, attend bars, etc., so I don't have to buy cigarettes, etc. And I don't buy all the "frilly" things that some people like (Capaccino, Smoothies, etc.) so I
budget my funds to help in managing my flock. (I will use a tea bag 3 times before throwing it away. OR I will use a lemon (lemonade) 3 times before throwing it out. The
key to good lemonade is letting it soak in water over night after squeezing out all of the juice for the 1st round of lemonade.
Ok, I'll admit it, I'm CHEAP.
)
2. I'm not a "Shopper", so I'm not in the mall every weekend or every month buying shoes, purses, jewerly, perfume, etc.
3. I brown bag it as far as lunch or I bring leftovers. No "excessive" eating out (maybe once every 3 months).
4. I limit trips to the stores so that I can save gas.
5. I pick up FREE up-to-date movies at the library. Going to the movies is VERY costly.
6. I turn off lights to conserve energy, etc. to lower my utility bills. I live in a 4 bedroom 2 bath home.
a. Light bill averages $45.00 in the winter and $65.00 in the summer.
b. Gas bill averages $25.00
c. Water bill averages $20.00
7. I reduce, reuse and re-cycle. All chicken coops and houses are made from recycled materials, so I really don't spend money on building supplies. Craigslist and Yahoo FREE-Cycle groups have good FREE finds.
8. I raise my own meat (lamb, rabbits, etc.), so the grocery bill is VERY low. I'm in the process of learning how to make ketchup, mayo, etc, so I don't have to spend any money purchasing these things either.
In my opinion, I think it takes different things (or life style changes) in our lives in order to make it work but that's just me.
Ok, I think I went overboard on this one. Now back to our regulary scheduled program.
ETA: While "trying" to type this message, I was interruped by 3 customers who stopped by and purchased 4 roosters ($40.00) and 8 dozen eggs ($12.00) = $52.00. That's 10 (50 lb bags of chicken feed from the feed mill.).
1. Researched and found a local feed mill who has worked with me as far as a specific feed (with the necessary protein, etc.) that I buy in BULK. The final cost per 50lb bag is only $5.00 per bag. I purchase (30) 50 lb bags (1,500 lbs of feed) for only $180.00 that lasts for months. BULK BULK BULK works best for me.
2. I get FREE bread and treats at the bread store.
3. I get FREE fruits and vegetables from my neighbor who owns his own business in which he sells (fruits and vegetables). All of the bruised fruits and vegetables that he doesn't sell for that day, he drops them off to me.
4. Friends and co-workers bring me their expired/outdated/bruised fruits and vegetables that are still good to feed my flock.
5. I pick up FREE bruised fruit and vegetables from local stores.
6. My flock free ranges and eats grass and bugs.
7. I sell my eggs and I have a waiting list of customers needing eggs. The money I make from selling eggs goes back into the budget for buying feed.
8. Any leftovers from breakfast, lunch and dinner is fed back to my flock.
9. At work (we clean the fridge out weekly), I get the weekly leftovers (rice/vegetables, fruit/bread/pasta) in the company fridge. That food is fed back to my flock.
Miscellaneous tips:
1. I don't drink, smoke, attend bars, etc., so I don't have to buy cigarettes, etc. And I don't buy all the "frilly" things that some people like (Capaccino, Smoothies, etc.) so I
budget my funds to help in managing my flock. (I will use a tea bag 3 times before throwing it away. OR I will use a lemon (lemonade) 3 times before throwing it out. The
key to good lemonade is letting it soak in water over night after squeezing out all of the juice for the 1st round of lemonade.
2. I'm not a "Shopper", so I'm not in the mall every weekend or every month buying shoes, purses, jewerly, perfume, etc.
3. I brown bag it as far as lunch or I bring leftovers. No "excessive" eating out (maybe once every 3 months).
4. I limit trips to the stores so that I can save gas.
5. I pick up FREE up-to-date movies at the library. Going to the movies is VERY costly.
6. I turn off lights to conserve energy, etc. to lower my utility bills. I live in a 4 bedroom 2 bath home.
a. Light bill averages $45.00 in the winter and $65.00 in the summer.
b. Gas bill averages $25.00
c. Water bill averages $20.00
7. I reduce, reuse and re-cycle. All chicken coops and houses are made from recycled materials, so I really don't spend money on building supplies. Craigslist and Yahoo FREE-Cycle groups have good FREE finds.
8. I raise my own meat (lamb, rabbits, etc.), so the grocery bill is VERY low. I'm in the process of learning how to make ketchup, mayo, etc, so I don't have to spend any money purchasing these things either.
In my opinion, I think it takes different things (or life style changes) in our lives in order to make it work but that's just me.
Ok, I think I went overboard on this one. Now back to our regulary scheduled program.
ETA: While "trying" to type this message, I was interruped by 3 customers who stopped by and purchased 4 roosters ($40.00) and 8 dozen eggs ($12.00) = $52.00. That's 10 (50 lb bags of chicken feed from the feed mill.).
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Well amen to that!
Keep a manageable number according to the space, finances, and time that you have available.
And for reference... I'm from Gueydan by way of Broussard.
Well amen to that!
Keep a manageable number according to the space, finances, and time that you have available.
And for reference... I'm from Gueydan by way of Broussard.
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You must be willing to feed them thru the winter with reduced or no egg production (at least in my climate) as an investment of better things to come. Mine eat whole corn just fine but you may be able to find a used hammermill to crack your corn if it suits you better. My flock are experts at cleaning up every thing that the hoofed stock drop when eating and also get table scraps as well. I only keep poultry and livestock that are pulling their on weight around here- no free-loaders allowed! It is a shame that feed (corn) has gone up in price so much but that is what happens when this country sells the bulk of what is produced to foreign markets( or gives it to them!!)We are left to foot the bill....
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I can't say what I'd like to say to that statement....I'm sure I'd be banned.
I can't say what I'd like to say to that statement....I'm sure I'd be banned.
it is easy if you go to the Tractor Supplies store i technically live (i go there alot)
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Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :
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Thank you, for taking the time to make sure I am an idiot. I didn't once insult either or you, or any farmer for that matter. I happen to have a high level of respect for farmers in general. And don't, for civility sake alone if for no other reason, insult my inteligence. I did not call either of you pig ignorant farmers who still live in the 1950's and apply DDT to everything you meet. Dont call me an idiot, even by subtlety and implication. However, antibiotics fed to livestock have been shown to transmit to the humans who eat them, and it is being shown that this bypass of antibiotics is what is leading to antibiotics in humans not working the way they used to. I'm sorry you decided to take my post as a personal slur against the two of you. It wasn't.
And to the OP, I'm sorry I caused drama on your thread. That wasn't my intention, I was simply answering with my thoughts.
ETA: Yes, I'm aware I may not have been fully correct on spelling or grammer. Sue me.
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Quote:
Thank you, for taking the time to make sure I am an idiot. I didn't once insult either or you, or any farmer for that matter. I happen to have a high level of respect for farmers in general. And don't, for civility sake alone if for no other reason, insult my inteligence. I did not call either of you pig ignorant farmers who still live in the 1950's and apply DDT to everything you meet. Dont call me an idiot, even by subtlety and implication. However, antibiotics fed to livestock have been shown to transmit to the humans who eat them, and it is being shown that this bypass of antibiotics is what is leading to antibiotics in humans not working the way they used to. I'm sorry you decided to take my post as a personal slur against the two of you. It wasn't.
And to the OP, I'm sorry I caused drama on your thread. That wasn't my intention, I was simply answering with my thoughts.
ETA: Yes, I'm aware I may not have been fully correct on spelling or grammer. Sue me.
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Quote:
Quote:
Thank you, for taking the time to make sure I am an idiot. I didn't once insult either or you, or any farmer for that matter. I happen to have a high level of respect for farmers in general. And don't, for civility sake alone if for no other reason, insult my inteligence. I did not call either of you pig ignorant farmers who still live in the 1950's and apply DDT to everything you meet. Dont call me an idiot, even by subtlety and implication. However, antibiotics fed to livestock have been shown to transmit to the humans who eat them, and it is being shown that this bypass of antibiotics is what is leading to antibiotics in humans not working the way they used to. I'm sorry you decided to take my post as a personal slur against the two of you. It wasn't.
And to the OP, I'm sorry I caused drama on your thread. That wasn't my intention, I was simply answering with my thoughts.
ETA: Yes, I'm aware I may not have been fully correct on spelling or grammer. Sue me.
Ok i don't get it, I read the post from colowyo0809, you are correct, its one reason i have chickens, and get beef and pork from a local farmer. I don't think your an idiot, because if you are so I'm I. (your in good company
)
Quote:
Thank you, for taking the time to make sure I am an idiot. I didn't once insult either or you, or any farmer for that matter. I happen to have a high level of respect for farmers in general. And don't, for civility sake alone if for no other reason, insult my inteligence. I did not call either of you pig ignorant farmers who still live in the 1950's and apply DDT to everything you meet. Dont call me an idiot, even by subtlety and implication. However, antibiotics fed to livestock have been shown to transmit to the humans who eat them, and it is being shown that this bypass of antibiotics is what is leading to antibiotics in humans not working the way they used to. I'm sorry you decided to take my post as a personal slur against the two of you. It wasn't.
And to the OP, I'm sorry I caused drama on your thread. That wasn't my intention, I was simply answering with my thoughts.
ETA: Yes, I'm aware I may not have been fully correct on spelling or grammer. Sue me.
Ok i don't get it, I read the post from colowyo0809, you are correct, its one reason i have chickens, and get beef and pork from a local farmer. I don't think your an idiot, because if you are so I'm I. (your in good company
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