Feed Pricing - looking ahead

[U_Stormcrow]

My local mill raised prices again, and have already told their vendors to expect another increase next week.

Its not just local
https://www.ft.com/content/e6a28dd9-ecea-4d67-b6b5-a50301b731b2

Wheat, of course, is a common component in high protein feeds, and we all see corn as an ingredient in just about everything.

Speaking for myself, I don't have room in the entertainment budget to pick up another couple cents per pound, feeding 150# plus per week to the animals, so I'm continuing to cull flock sizes down - I can always hatch more when prices normalize. and of course hoping on my pasture to bend the curve some, though my area is already down 4" in average rainfall for the year. Will be 5" next week...

Need some relief.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

Prices will certainly be up…I can cover an increase in costs but plan to continue to explore options in my chicken compost system…maybe increase sprouted grains, a bit more forage, and will keep an eye out for a source of free meat protein.

 

[rascal66]

Everything appears to be going up. We sell anything chicken related from egg, Fertile eggs, chicks, layers, roosters and meat. When everything in price is shooting up, so do our prices to help keep the balance in place.. not raising it by a whole lot, but needing to still make a profit and keep the birds well fed.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Feed prices have doubled over the past year here in Panama, and the protein percentage is down to 6% for LAYER FEED. I've been forced to supplement their protein with fish (cheap and plentiful here). I've culled much of my flock, starting with the boys, and now down to deciding which five girls (of the eleven that I have) I'm willing to send to freezer-farm.
When I started raising chickens, the cost of meat & eggs at the store was about on par with raising my own, and for the quality control, I was willing to take on the extra work.
But now...
Eggs are price controlled here, as are several cuts of meat. I can buy eggs and some cuts of chicken for MUCH less than I can grow my own now. Eggs are less than $2 a dozen and I can buy a whole 'soup' hen at the market for $8. The eggs cost me $0.25 each to produce, and a 'soup' hen, even crediting her with the eggs she's provided over her lifetime costs me over $20 to produce. I can't keep up with those prices. Though I enjoy the entertainment that my flock provides, I cannot continue to double my costs on EVERYTHING (rent, utilities, groceries, chicken feed, dog food, you name it) and maintain as large of a flock as I once enjoyed. [Edited here to add] I live on a fixed income.
I've worked long and hard to get birds of a temperament and health status that I find acceptable, so I will be maintaining a flock; a much smaller flock to breed from whenever things get closer to normal.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Hang on, it is going to be a rough ride!

 

[Ebony Rose]

Hang on, it is going to be a rough ride!

Amen.

 

[Sally PB]

I never thought I'd say this... But I'm probably going to go to conventional feed and stop with the organic. As soon as the weeds start popping in the garden, the chickens will get organic greens, and veg scraps when they come in.

DH said it doesn't matter to him; he feels glad enough that our chickens have a MUCH better life than those who lay the (cheap) eggs we can buy at the store. ($1.89/doz large)

I'm planning to get more flour, rice, and other grain-based staples at Costco this week, even though I don't really need them yet.

Never thought I'd say this either... Is it time for Japanese Beetles yet? Cheap, organic protein for the chickens.

 

[Brooks_]

Its not just local
https://www.ft.com/content/e6a28dd9-ecea-4d67-b6b5-a50301b731b2

Paywall. I filled out the form to see if my work has a subscription and they sent something to my work email (I won't have access to that till tomorrow afternoon).

The topic sure is worthy of consideration. My feed price has not gone up (yet) and I can afford some increase, but at some point the increases will be too much and decisions will have to be made. Fuel prices will likely climb as well--compounding the feed but also impacting the grocery store (feed prices will be felt there too). Maybe pay the feed price and eat more chicken and eggs? I don't know--something to watch.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Seeing the trend of prices continuing to increase for pretty much everything poultry-related here, too: feed (chick starter, alfalfa pellets, scratch), pine shavings, hay, etc. It's been going on for more than a year now.

I guess I'd better figure out a lucrative side hustle to pay for all the breeding projects I have planned...

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

I guess I'd better figure out a lucrative side hustle to pay for all the breeding projects I have planned...

Just do what I do and file all the poultry expenses - file them under “entertainment” on the balance sheet.