cost of your birds

[Kim_NC]

Our feed cost of producing eggs runs about $1.06/dz.
We sell table eggs for $2.50 -3.50/dz, sorted by size and color.
We get the higher price for Jumbos and Easter Eggs.
That leaves a profit of $1.44 - 2.44 per dozen.

Hatching eggs bring higher prices. Chicks bring higher prices too for eggs that are hatched out.

Here's the detailed math for the table eggs:

We buy 50 lb feed for $11

The average hen eats .25 lb/day or...
$11 / 50 lbs x 0.25 = $.055 or about 6 cents per day
(Less in Summer with free ranging, a little more in Winter without)

Cost per dozen...

$.06/day x 365 days = $21.90 annual feed cost per layer

$21.90 / 250 eggs/year/hen = $.088 cost per egg

$.088/egg x 12 - $1.06 cost per dozen

Again, that's feed cost only. There is of course the cost of coops - but they last for years and would have to be spread over hundreds of dozens of eggs (in our case).

Also, it takes about $3 in feed to raise a chick to laying age. I don't figure this in. We keep layers 2-3 years, so it could be spread over about 40-50 dozen eggs. But we also end up with a stewing chicken, so I figure that intial $3 feed cost is covered in the end.

 

[smom1976]

i am not selling my eggs for profit.. just wanted to make that one point.. I do sell my eggs and pay for their food. I sell enough to buy food for the month and I get my eggs for free.

It is a wonderful thing.

 

[digitS']

Quote:
We really should look at the cost of their housing. My coop was built 12 years ago and looks like it will make it another 12 so I guess I don't really need to think about that anymore.

Labor costs? Well . . . we could take some of these things too far

.

It's nice to know that I could be making a profit if I did sell the eggs. But what is it that a corporation adds in as an asset . . . community goodwill

?

I like the idea that one BYC'er has of setting the cartons outside the front door with customers sliding the cash thru the mailslot

. But, I may have an idea for starting a ponzi scheme . . . look out Securities & Exchange Commission!

Steve

 

[tn chick]

Quote:
what a great idea,to bad everyone isnt that way

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

If you only factor in feed, then yes we break even. If you factor in the cost of all the "stuff" like a heat lamp, brooder, feed and waterers, coop, shavings and fencing then heck no we'll never break even.

 

[Beauregard]

I figure if my chickens lay for 5 years and i never have to feed them again, I'll break even. so i guess its just a hobby, I dont sell eggs and dont want to, I give them away to family and friends, thats the part I enjoy, heck I dont even eat eggs. I know it makes no sense to me either.

 

[Sissy]

We feel we will never break even LoL
and thats fine we are having a good time.

 

[MissPrissy]

Over winter I feed a flock of ducks, a flock of geese, a flock of turkeys, 4 flocks of chicks, chicks that I hatch and a flock of gunieas. Over spinr and summer the guineas, geese and ducks take care of themselves except for a little supplement.

As my flocks are purebred and used for breeding the breeding stock recieves all they eat in pellets and extras. Breeder eggs for hatching requires much more quaility care for the poultry than just egg laying for eating.

 

[Sunflower]

There is no way I will ever recoup the $ we've put in to our chickens. But to me, it's worth every penny. It is something that we enjoy doing and is something that not everyone can experience in this ol world.

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

Well I give my eggs away to my family and clients. No $ there. I buy the good food. Lots of $ there. No more high blood pressure meds for me.......lots of $ savings there. Daily enjoyment with my clients and myself...........PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!