I am making some plans for a small farm. I have two types of animals that mostly eat forage and consume either very little or only small amounts of commercial feed. I know the market prices of these animals and know that I can raise them without breaking the bank.
I am less certain about chickens, but I want to raise some.
The difference with chickens from the other animals is that they consume a lot more off-farm feed and corn. So, I want to know more about feed costs before I commit to raising more than a few chickens.
I know the market prices also for heritage breed chickens in this area. I am in a location where there actually is demand for heritage breed meat. Basically, an adult roo whose future home is someone's stew pot is worth around $14.
I am making some assumptions about costs, and I want to know from more experienced peeps whether they're correct or not.
The main assumption is feed costs. I am guessing that each bird eats around 50 cents worth of feed per week, 8 weeks of age and up. Feed costs here are similar to in the US - just a tad lower. I am hoping some of you can feed for under 50 cents per week.
I am going to try fermenting feed with the few birds I currently have.
I am less certain about chickens, but I want to raise some.
The difference with chickens from the other animals is that they consume a lot more off-farm feed and corn. So, I want to know more about feed costs before I commit to raising more than a few chickens.
I know the market prices also for heritage breed chickens in this area. I am in a location where there actually is demand for heritage breed meat. Basically, an adult roo whose future home is someone's stew pot is worth around $14.
I am making some assumptions about costs, and I want to know from more experienced peeps whether they're correct or not.
The main assumption is feed costs. I am guessing that each bird eats around 50 cents worth of feed per week, 8 weeks of age and up. Feed costs here are similar to in the US - just a tad lower. I am hoping some of you can feed for under 50 cents per week.
I am going to try fermenting feed with the few birds I currently have.