Is it worth it?

[possumhunter]

lol...I just bought a couple and was thinking to myself, how can I afford to raise my own when I can buy them at this price?

 

[Brunty_Farms]

Big difference in the ones you raise and the ones you buy at the store. So many variables....

However if you can buy them from a farmer that would raise them identical to the way you would.... and the price is only $10.00 for 6-8 lb bird.... I'd say go for it!

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Quote:
This has WHAT to do with me?
I answered the OPs question, using MY OWN example . . .

FOR ME, it is more economical/fun to raise my own.

 

[mikenandrea]

Wish I could stomach processing my own birds.. I would definitely do it..

 

[josh]

Quote:
But you have to think about this. if you have hen and not roosters they won't get as big as fast. You will have to feed them longer to get them as big which means more food. I did some last year. the rooster where ready at 8 weeks weighed about 10 lbs at slauter. Hen where processed at 2 week later and still not as big as the roosters. Then you have to consider the ones that will die for no reason about 2 to 3 days before you get ready to process. So with one or 2 dying you just envested more money in fewer birds.

 

[KatieH]

I figure my 15 cornish roasters are going to cost about 7 bucks a bird, and that include having them processed by someone else. That's not including my labor, of course, and I'm not counting start up costs of bulbs and such.

So I think it depends on what you're looking for. Do you just want low cost, high quality meat? Then just buy them from that guy. Are you wanting the experience/satisfaction of raising your own food? Then do that.

 

[terri9630]

We got chickens because my daughter has GI problems. The doctors can't find a "medical" reason for it and allergy/elimination testing has done nothing. Her latest GI dr thinks she may be allergic to a preservative. So for the past 5yrs I have been buying flour in 20lb bags and making everything I can. Bread, butter, buttermilk, pancake/waffle mix, hot cocoa, syrups... Anything I can find a good recipe for. So for us raising our own for eggs and meat makes sense. With local feed prices and store chickens it comes out about the same.

If I had the space I'd have a steer and hog too. We have rabbits for 4-H but I've never butchered a rabbit so I'm not sure how to do it. I guess I'll bumble through it this fall.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Quote:
Even if you can't raise your own steer or hogs, you may be able to purchase one from one of your local 4H kids and send it straight to slaughter. We raise our own steers, but I don't do hogs. Sorry to all the pig lovers out there, but I just don't like pigs. But each year we buy one from one of our 4H kids when they are done selling. We make the appointment at the processor, pick the animal up and drive it straight over to the processor. If a whole pig or steer is more than you want, find some friends to split the order with you.

Best meat you'll ever taste and you don't have to worry about all the preservatives and such.

 

[terri9630]

I looked into that last year but the animals are too expensive. Growing up we never paid more than $50 for a pig but the 4-H kids are paying over $400 for these pigs (the cheap ones!) and want more after the show. As much as I'd like to I can't justify paying that much plus processing. If I could find someone to get a pig from we could build a pen but not at those prices.

The steers are worse. The grand champion sold for $5,000 and they paid 6,000 for the animal when they got it. The other steers were all selling for about $1500 and up. If I had the space I could go to the auction and pick up a feeder steer or cow. Last month when I was there they were going for less than $80 a HEAD. A couple of months and a couple of hundred in feed plus processing would be much better. If I had the room....

 

[patman75]

Quote:
My GI problems is the reason why i started with chickens too. I have hundreds of wild rabbits by my house so i'm set there, and they are so easy to butcher compared to a chicken. Youtube rabbit butchering and you will be all set.

I buy my pork and beef from an amish farmer who raises them organically and grass feed. Grain feed animals are higher in omega 6 which increase inflamation. Grass feed are higher in omega3 which are anti-inflamitory.

Now i'm just trying to figure out what way to go with the meat chickens.

I have taken a real strict and holestic approach to my GI issues. I have been able to cut my meds 1/2, lost 70lbs of fat, i have more engery, etc... If you interested I can send many link and healing programs that could help your daugher.

Good luck