Is it cheaper in the long run to hatch babies yourself or buy them?

[nicolette]

Is it cheaper in the long run to hatch chicks yourself then buying? I know you have more of a chance getting rooster since the chicks you get @ the feed store are already sexed?

 

[Folly's place]

It depends! Hatchlings will be, on average, at least 50% male. That needs to be part of your plan, or don't hatch chicks at home.
Broody hens do a great job of raising chicks, but work on their own schedule, not yours. And they don't lay any eggs during that time, maybe for two months or so.
You need at least one cock bird, and to keep replacement cockerels, and manage to select the right ones every year; a roll of the dice sometimes.
Breeding goals, which may change over time.
Space to raise all those chicks and juveniles; for the freezer? Local sales? Developing a market.
Buying and managing an incubator. It can be tricky!
As a fun hobby, and maybe a money maker, maybe. Easy, not always. Mary

 

[CntryBoy777]

Well it really depends....ya have to consider that every single egg is not viable for one reason or another, then there is the monitoring the incubator for proper temp and humidity levels and adjustment to maintain it for a certain period of time and then changes made for certain breeds at certain days....also, whether they are your own produced eggs or purchased eggs....slight variances can be devastating to the whole lot, so it depends on your available time to devote to the endeavor. When ya purchase chicks these variables have already been passed, but then every single hatchling may not survive for a myriad of reasons either....but, less likely if they are properly provided for, but some will just be weak. I find it much simpler and easier to just buy already hatched and sexed....that way I know what I'm getting and if some do die, then I can just replace the sex that is needed. I'm sure I'll accept the challenge and hatch some one day, but it will be when there is time to monitor things and I have whittled down the challenges on the "To Do" list that seemingly keeps growing....

 

[red horse ranch]

Is it cheaper in the long run to hatch chicks yourself then buying? I know you have more of a chance getting rooster since the chicks you get @ the feed store are already sexed?

If you are willing to harvest the roosters for food then it's probably cheaper to hatch them yourself. But if you only want a couple of females then it's best to buy them. They all take the same amount of feed to raise whether they are home hatched or purchased. It all depends on what your chicken goals are.