Is my math right??? Raising meat chicks for about $6 apiece???

[ronshoney]

If you want birds that big why not raise some turkey's? A local farmer here told me it was more economical to do it that way and with the different breeds of turkeys like white midgets you could get any size.

 

[blue90292]

i was thinking the same thing. the midget whites are another option if you want that big a bird. i've been doing some research and am planning on getting some soon.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
Because turkey doesn't taste like chicken! Turkey tastes like turkey!

 

[mommy9994]

If you want birds that big why not raise some turkey's?

I feel the same way-- I've got some turkeys in the brooder now, I'm eager to find out the $ per lb on them. I will raise turkeys for "big" bird meat, and continue with my cc's for "regular" bird meat.

As they say though, "variety is the spice of life" looks like the BYC is pretty spicy​

 

[FutureChickenMan]

yeah, you'd have to do the math on the turkey equation. considering the feed to meat ratio they may be close, but the turkeys are around $8/ea to buy them. So if you're gonna do turkey, definately do the breeds that can reproduce themselves. I don't have any idea about the growth rates for turkey vs cornish x but I'm bettin the cornish x is much faster.

Still, the best meat to feed ratio you're going to find is rabbit.

Breed momma rabbit, she kindles in 31 days. Feed momma rabbit for 8 weeks, butcher the "crop" at 8 weeks which is typically when they are weaned. Wait 3 weeks, breed momma rabbit again. Get youself 3 or 4 does and a buck. Stagger the breeding weeks and you're set. They take up little space (32"x32" pen), they're poop is great for the lawn and they're easy to take care of. Food, water, timothy hay, a couple of scratches behind the ears every day to keep them tame and that's it.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
Ditto.

Ok, I would be lying if I said that the cost didn't matter.--It does. Money always matters. But there is more that matters besides money, though, too. My choice for raising meat birds (as well as laying hens, and the goat I'm getting next week, and the meat rabbits I am getting, and the large vegetable garden, etc )--is for the reasons MissPrissy stated, but it is also my hobby and full -time job. It is the satisfaction i get for providing for my family in a way more healthy for them, while instilling values, a healthy work ethic, respect for land, animal, family, etc etc.

When it all boils down, money is a concern, but its place on the priority list is low. However, to save money on the meat birds--we plan to butcher them ourselves. Being hunters, we don't anticipate any problems in this regard.

 

[kstaven]

Quote:
Ditto.

Ok, I would be lying if I said that the cost didn't matter.--It does. Money always matters. But there is more that matters besides money, though, too. My choice for raising meat birds (as well as laying hens, and the goat I'm getting next week, and the meat rabbits I am getting, and the large vegetable garden, etc )--is for the reasons MissPrissy stated, but it is also my hobby and full -time job. It is the satisfaction i get for providing for my family in a way more healthy for them, while instilling values, a healthy work ethic, respect for land, animal, family, etc etc.

When it all boils down, money is a concern, but its place on the priority list is low. However, to save money on the meat birds--we plan to butcher them ourselves. Being hunters, we don't anticipate any problems in this regard.

I agree. The above reasons are things you really can't put a price on. Healthier food choices are just one of the things we can consider as an investment in our future health and vitality and that of our children.