getting my moneys worth?

[Saltysteele]

if it were me, and i were looking just to get some chickens and eggs, and not do the whole baby chickens and waiting until they start laying, i would just get ready to lay chickens. you can sometimes buy them for 5-10 on craigslist, and you can't raise them to that size for less than 10 bucks

 

[Saltysteele]

a heritage breed is a breed that when you breed two of them together, you get a bird that looks like the parents. when you breed hybrids, you won't get a bird that looks like the parents.

 

[cram]

my year old wyandotte's lay about 6 eggs a week each...

 

[silkiechicken]

If only looking at the $$. You will NEVER "get your money's worth" from hobby chickens if you compare them with mass marketing farm style chickens.

That said, you did pay a hefty amount for shipping a small number of chicks. In the future, feed stores can special order chicks if they do not already carry those breeds. Ones here carry all the ones you listed for 2.50-4 each.

Even if you got free chicks, feed/proper housing/supplies will quickly cost a small $$. You can "save" a a lot by giving scraps, free raining, and using used supplies or make shift supplies, but it can be a false economy.

Poor feed ratio or nutrients= low production, low number of productive years, or short life span/health issues.
Bad housing = birds who do not lay many eggs, birds who get killed by preds, wild animals stealing your feed, or birds just plain laying eggs where you cannot find them.

Enjoy the birds and treat it as a hobby.

 

[kcfuerst]

If only looking at the $$. You will NEVER "get your money's worth" from hobby chickens if you compare them with mass marketing farm style chickens.

That said, you did pay a hefty amount for shipping a small number of chicks. In the future, feed stores can special order chicks if they do not already carry those breeds. Ones here carry all the ones you listed for 2.50-4 each.

Even if you got free chicks, feed/proper housing/supplies will quickly cost a small $$. You can "save" a a lot by giving scraps, free raining, and using used supplies or make shift supplies, but it can be a false economy.

Poor feed ratio or nutrients= low production, low number of productive years, or short life span/health issues.
Bad housing = birds who do not lay many eggs, birds who get killed by preds, wild animals stealing your feed, or birds just plain laying eggs where you cannot find them.

Enjoy the birds and treat it as a hobby.

Ditto​