How much do chickens cost per year?

[chickenkate]

I know this is a question you might not want to answer, but before I decide to build a coop and get chickens, I want to be sure that I have sufficient funds, and that I won't be stuck after I've got them. I'm wondering, with food, supplies, and vet care, how much would 5-10 chickens cost yearly? Once again, sorry if I seem shallow.

 

[Jenski]

$2,367.18 and not a penny more. Oh, did you say 10 chickens? Double that.

 

[CMV]

I spend $200/year to maintain 6 chickens- feed, treats, bedding, medical supplies, preventatives. My original coop was built of entirely recycled materials, so all I bought was hardware, padlock, and hardware cloth.

But... I've been expanding on the original idea and beginning to spend even more money...

 

[Jenski]

OK, sorry about that. When I stopped laughing I realized you might actually want a real answer. I have spent far, far, FAR more than the average person probably would, but then again I'm odd. My eggs are worth around $687 apiece. Coops, more unplanned stuff, matching paint, more unplanned stuff, vet bills, fresh produce in the winter, etc etc etc. can all add up if you're not careful.

It need not be an expensive hobby, though. You might just want to decide how far you want to take it before you begin. Some folks don't do the vet thing, and treat their birds at home. Some folks creatively use recycled bits for their coops. Some folks let their birds free range to save a bit on feed costs.

I would guess that you could do half a dozen hens on less than $100 a year if you were creative and/or self sufficient. I would be interested to hear what other people think.

Good luck in getting started! We have really enjoyed having chickens, and I wouldn't trade this hobby for anything.

 

[GrannySue]

I used to wonder that, myself. I was so clever, kept track of my first flock of 5 POLs, their feed, and once they started laying the money I made from selling eggs. (This was without the initial cost of a coop and pen factored in.)

That didn't last very long though. The benefits of watching them, having their lovely eggs, being responsible for their welfare, showing them off to friends etc. became the more important issues.

Oh, and then I got runner ducks. 2 males at first, just because I wanted them in my yard without the hassle of eggs and so forth. But 1 was killed by a raccoon so I got a pair to join him, then a few more females. Then an incubator and 3 hatched. Then ... Well, who knows?

So I guess that's not much help, is it? Sorry!

 

[GrannySue]

Quote:
Yeah, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

 

[Missy3b]

My husband says "If you have to ask-you can't afford it". Well, that didn't stop me.

Like a previous reply mentioned- my eggs are worth more than gold. I might have to charge $25 a dozen just to begin making money.

Look at it as a hobby. I also used a lot of recycled materials but it still cost about $1000 for an 8x10 coop. Well worth it for the enjoyment. But I have 23 chickens. Look for recycled items or put an ad on craig's list for a coop or shed that someone is no longer using.

Good luck.

 

[TXmom]

Basically, they cost as much as you want to put into them. A lot depends on your location, climate, property, etc. You can spend less than $100 on a coop and run (using some recycled materials) or you can spend over $1000 on a coop and run. I spent approximately $500 on materials for mine. Feed isn't really that expensive (approx $8 for 50 pounds)...way cheaper than dog food. They eat a lot when they are chicks, but mine seem to have slowed down their eating now that they are grown. Mine also "free range" in a fenced-in yard, so they eat a lot of grass, weeds, and bugs.

 

[peakpoultry]

A lot!!!

 

[The Chicken People]

More than it would cost for you to buy a years supply of eggs at the store...but I cant watch those eggs run around my yard and that my dear is.....PRICELESS!! Use recycled material and free range as much as you can!!