I think, if you approach it as a hobby, it will cost like a hobby. If you approach it as a money making venture...even to break even...then you can make money or break even.
It's all in how entitled you feel to have the best coops, best equipment, best breeding, etc.
If you just want to sell eggs, eat the eggs and meat, reproduce your own flock...then you can break even and even make some profit.
Recycle and repurpose materials for coops, feeders, waterers. Look for give aways and dumpster dive for great materials.
Use all natural methods to build a flock that requires no medicine, no expensive supplements or medicated feeds, etc.
In other words, build a flock that is hardy, self-sustaining and productive without pampering...then let them re-stock themselves by hatching their own chicks. Free range, if you can, to supplement feed costs. Read up on sprouting whole grains...this is very cost effective nutrition.
Don't deliver your eggs to the neighbors.
If you have natural, free range chickens, the eggs will sell themselves! Put up a sign and sell them~ develop steady customers at work, school, church. If you live in an urban area, you will have a hard time keeping up with demand.
Cull ruthlessly to develop the working hens you want, eat the culls. All the eggs and meat you can deduct from your food bills. This counts as profit.
A little hard work, patience, thriftiness and common sense can have you operating in the black in no time.
Show birds take money to make money. They require a lot of time, travel and pampering to turn a profit....IF you have a market. There is
always a market for good, healthy eggs.
