I don't think I'd ever cross that line. There's another farm on facebook --RockRidge --that sells their mottleds much cheaper than that. There has to be a balance somewhere. And I found another lady on facebook that has mottled lavender orps. It was supposed to be a recessive gene in her lavenders. Interesting...I can see many people paying $200 per chick. Not me... that is way too much- I tap out at a max of $100. Considering a mottled roo is at $1000 right now on RBA with 4 days and 22 hrs left to go, the $200 doesn't seem so bad for a day old chick.