Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[trsturself]

I have been avoiding it honestly, but after seeing everyone's spreadsheets and charts, I have decided it's time to figure out how much I am spending per egg. So, once I opened the new feed bag, I started tracking eggs and other expenses. I'm kinda nervous to figure it out because I'm sure it's expensive especially since I have seven more girls coming!

Speaking of, how do you feed a mixed flock? I figure the new ones will be separated until at least 8 weeks. I usually stop chick starter and move to grower/finisher at that point. If I integrate then, do I feed everyone grower with oyster shell available? Or flock raiser with oyster shell available? Is there even much difference between the two? Something in pellet form though definitely! Much much less waste!!

I'm just starting to keep track also. I'm hoping by selling some eggs they'll at least pay for themselves.

I feed a food I mix myself. It has roughly 17% protein and I have oyster shell available for the layers. The difference in non-layer feed is protein levels. The younger ones need more protein than the older ones while they grow. It is better to give higher protein while you have young ones then lower it when they get older back down to 16%.

 

[christine9]

I'm just starting to keep track also. I'm hoping by selling some eggs they'll at least pay for themselves.

I feed a food I mix myself. It has roughly 17% protein and I have oyster shell available for the layers. The difference in non-layer feed is protein levels. The younger ones need more protein than the older ones while they grow. It is better to give higher protein while you have young ones then lower it when they get older back down to 16%.

I guess I need to make a trip to TSC and read feed bags. I can never keep straight which labeling is which % protein.
Anyway, I remembered that when I first joined BYC they were running a contest for people to review an app. The app isn't fantastic, but it can be useful in tracking eggs and birds. Especially, if you're like me, and make notes on the phone to add to the spreadsheet sometime later It's called "poultry pal". Just downloaded it again. Hopefully it will help me with record keeping!

 

[jonsccm]

I'm lucky to have a local mill close by that has a great layer mash that is under $11 for a 50 lb bag. With no fillers. Selling the extra eggs I have found if I can sell about half to 60% of the eggs then the girls buy there own feed. BUT! That does not include cost of coop, fencing, feed for chicks that are not laying, incubator, brooder, and many other unexpected costs. I am pretty much set up now and hope to be selling chicks, pullets, hatching eggs and regular eggs by spring. But I am having a hard time finding away to make them make more then just what they eat. We will see what they can pull off next spring. It does help that I let them free range...

 

[NotableNancy]

I went to school in CT. Luckily there is a pretty good (and affordable) train system on the east coast (e.g. MetroNorth). It certainly makes getting to/from/through NYC easier. (Just noticed you're from Penn so you probably knew this already).

Yup. Love the train system. My other son is in NY about 1 1/2 hrs north of NYC and he used it once and it was easy (for me).

I have been avoiding it honestly, but after seeing everyone's spreadsheets and charts, I have decided it's time to figure out how much I am spending per egg. So, once I opened the new feed bag, I started tracking eggs and other expenses. I'm kinda nervous to figure it out because I'm sure it's expensive especially since I have seven more girls coming!

Speaking of, how do you feed a mixed flock? I figure the new ones will be separated until at least 8 weeks. I usually stop chick starter and move to grower/finisher at that point. If I integrate then, do I feed everyone grower with oyster shell available? Or flock raiser with oyster shell available? Is there even much difference between the two? Something in pellet form though definitely! Much much less waste!!

I feed them all Agway chick starter/grower with oyster shell on the side. My spoiled girls don't really like the oyster shell though so I try to get them a lot of cooked/crushed egg shells. Where I live I just don't have much of a choice so this is more or less what I have to do. I think when they are about 18 weeks or getting pink combs I will go back to the layer feed because their shells are so weak they really need it.

I'm lucky to have a local mill close by that has a great layer mash that is under $11 for a 50 lb bag. With no fillers. Selling the extra eggs I have found if I can sell about half to 60% of the eggs then the girls buy there own feed. BUT! That does not include cost of coop, fencing, feed for chicks that are not laying, incubator, brooder, and many other unexpected costs. I am pretty much set up now and hope to be selling chicks, pullets, hatching eggs and regular eggs by spring. But I am having a hard time finding away to make them make more then just what they eat. We will see what they can pull off next spring. It does help that I let them free range...

I pay $10.50 for 25lb bag of chick starter/grower!!! Just nothing else around. I don't even want to start calculating cost per egg. I would get to depressed.

 

[NanaLynn]

I took my son to visit a few colleges the past few days and at one of them they said at Finals time they want the kids to relax so they have therapy dogs come in so they can pet them and relax. And last year they had a petting zoo come that brought Alpacas and chickens for the kids to pet!!
Couldn't help but laugh!!

ARGHHH, I think my Cochin is broody again!!! She just finished molting and started laying again. Sheesh. Back to the cage for her!

It is fun visiting colleges. That's a neat idea, chickens are relaxing! So funny though. I wonder if your son was afraid you would say something about your chickens. My kids would have been nervous that I would.

Good luck with him getting into the college that he wants.

So far we've been a couple weeks with no broodies, I have probably jinxed myself now.

My only Andalusia (splash) laid her first egg today! She is my first laying white egg layer.

It's next to one of my barred rock girls that's the same age. They are 23 weeks old. The BR started a few days ago. The Andalusia egg is not really white but more like a cream color. But still very exciting.

Your Andulasion egg looks just like my Salmon Favorelle's eggs. They are a creamy color too. I have a splash Andulasion too, but her eggs are white.

I have been avoiding it honestly, but after seeing everyone's spreadsheets and charts, I have decided it's time to figure out how much I am spending per egg. So, once I opened the new feed bag, I started tracking eggs and other expenses. I'm kinda nervous to figure it out because I'm sure it's expensive especially since I have seven more girls coming!

Speaking of, how do you feed a mixed flock? I figure the new ones will be separated until at least 8 weeks. I usually stop chick starter and move to grower/finisher at that point. If I integrate then, do I feed everyone grower with oyster shell available? Or flock raiser with oyster shell available? Is there even much difference between the two? Something in pellet form though definitely! Much much less waste!!

Good for you. It is kind of neat to see where the money goes, but I am a numbers person and am weird like that.

I always fed all the chickens unmedicated chick starter with oyster shell on the side until the younger ones were over 16 to 18 weeks then everyone got layer feed, but I never have had roosters so I am not sure how a rooster wold figure into all that.

I'm lucky to have a local mill close by that has a great layer mash that is under $11 for a 50 lb bag. With no fillers. Selling the extra eggs I have found if I can sell about half to 60% of the eggs then the girls buy there own feed. BUT! That does not include cost of coop, fencing, feed for chicks that are not laying, incubator, brooder, and many other unexpected costs. I am pretty much set up now and hope to be selling chicks, pullets, hatching eggs and regular eggs by spring. But I am having a hard time finding away to make them make more then just what they eat. We will see what they can pull off next spring. It does help that I let them free range...

You are very lucky. It'd be nice if more mills started showing up again, it is so sad that a lot of them have gone away.

Yeah with the costs, I pretty much do not count the first year and setup costs, if you count all they you'll never come out ahead.

Yup. Love the train system. My other son is in NY about 1 1/2 hrs north of NYC and he used it once and it was easy (for me).

I feed them all Agway chick starter/grower with oyster shell on the side. My spoiled girls don't really like the oyster shell though so I try to get them a lot of cooked/crushed egg shells. Where I live I just don't have much of a choice so this is more or less what I have to do. I think when they are about 18 weeks or getting pink combs I will go back to the layer feed because their shells are so weak they really need it.

I pay $10.50 for 25lb bag of chick starter/grower!!! Just nothing else around. I don't even want to start calculating cost per egg. I would get to depressed.

That would be depressing. Is there no Tractor Supply near you? I buy 50 lb bags for a few dollars more then your 25lb ones.

I never got into it for the money anyway. I calculated eggs as $5 a dozen whether I sell them or give them away. It makes the calculations look better that way. Our neighbors still only pay $2.50 a dozen, but it is a young family and I would feel bad to ask for more. I really take the Meal Maker seriously. I know I only got 2 of them from Meyer's but if I calculate more then half my flock are Meal Makers since I am always giving eggs away.

 

[MamaShell]

Isn't touring Colleges fun? I think I went to at least 8 different campuses for each of my 3 kids. I could run an admissions program, now!

Yes, I love going to visit schools!  My kids only want non-city schools.... has to be a pretty campus; we are just not city people. But we had to go from PA to CT yesterday and the directions were to go over the GW bridge OMG... I don't know how people live around there. A 1 1/2 hour trip took over 4 1/2!!  All because of the bridge area.     If he picks one of those schools I will have to find another route!
You're in CT aren't you???  I wonder if I was near you?  

Wow, I thought I replied to this post about 12 hours ago! I keep writing posts and then get called to do something and do click submit and then it disappears! Sorry.

Yes, I do live in CT and I avoid the GW at all costs, which is not easy to do when you use navigation. I swear that businesses on either side of the GW pay vehicle navigation companies big bucks to route us over the GW no matter where we are going! It is a hellish conspiracy! For most places that I go in NJ, DE or PA or anywhere south of CT, I take the Tappan Zee Bridge. It might be 20 miles longer but it could save you hours of stopped traffic and frustration! When my kids go to DE or NJ, I always have them put the Montvale Service area as their first destination so that the Nav takes them over the Tappan Zee and onto the Garden State Parkway instead of the GW and I-95. After they top of their tanks with gas at that rest area (gas is so much cheaper in NJ and they pump it for you!), they put their final destination into the Nav and on they go! Coming from PA on 78 or 80, that Montvale Rest Area would work for you as well.

What school did you look at in CT? My daughter will be starting classes at Sacred Heart in Fairfield in 31 days! A gorgeous campus, btw! The buildings are 80% brand new and there is lots of green! Where does your other son go in NY?

 

[MamaShell]

I never got into it for the money anyway. I calculated eggs as $5 a dozen whether I sell them or give them away. It makes the calculations look better that way. Our neighbors still only pay $2.50 a dozen, but it is a young family and I would feel bad to ask for more. I really take the Meal Maker seriously. I know I only got 2 of them from Meyer's but if I calculate more then half my flock are Meal Makers since I am always giving eggs away.

That's a whole different kind of chicken math! Good for you for your generosity!

I have a feeling I will be giving away more than I sell. My niece already gave me about 15 cartons that she has saved since she first heard that I was getting chicks. Isn't she sweet? I know she is hoping that I re-gift them to her full of eggs!

 

[NotableNancy]

It is fun visiting colleges. That's a neat idea, chickens are relaxing! So funny though. I wonder if your son was afraid you would say something about your chickens. My kids would have been nervous that I would.

Absolutely nervous I would say something ... he knows how i like to run my mouth about chickens

Good luck with him getting into the college that he wants.
Thank you

So far we've been a couple weeks with no broodies, I have probably jinxed myself now.

I was just thinking that we were having a nice couple of weeks with no issues, no molting, no broodies etc. DON"T jinx yourself with that kind of talk. LOL. Moe is in a cage now... hopefully it doesn't take to long.

That would be depressing. Is there no Tractor Supply near you? I buy 50 lb bags for a few dollars more then your 25lb ones.

I never got into it for the money anyway. I calculated eggs as $5 a dozen whether I sell them or give them away. It makes the calculations look better that way. Our neighbors still only pay $2.50 a dozen, but it is a young family and I would feel bad to ask for more. I really take the Meal Maker seriously. I know I only got 2 of them from Meyer's but if I calculate more then half my flock are Meal Makers since I am always giving eggs away.
Nope, No TSC's near me at all. I have a Do It Best that carries the Agway feed and some medicines and then my fancy foo-foo feed/pet store where I got my chicks this past April has the Purina feed which i don't use anymore but they have the feeders, meds and other stuff. All the stores are at least 40 minutes from me. My tiny little hardware store in town just dedicated a space to pet feed and carries chicken feed but they get Purina and won't use that anymore

Figures, they're 5 minutes from me and I can't use them

Wow, I thought I replied to this post about 12 hours ago! I keep writing posts and then get called to do something and do click submit and then it disappears! Sorry.

Yes, I do live in CT and I avoid the GW at all costs, which is not easy to do when you use navigation. I swear that businesses on either side of the GW pay vehicle navigation companies big bucks to route us over the GW no matter where we are going! It is a hellish conspiracy! For most places that I go in NJ, DE or PA or anywhere south of CT, I take the Tappan Zee Bridge. It might be 20 miles longer but it could save you hours of stopped traffic and frustration! When my kids go to DE or NJ, I always have them put the Montvale Service area as their first destination so that the Nav takes them over the Tappan Zee and onto the Garden State Parkway instead of the GW and I-95. After they top of their tanks with gas at that rest area (gas is so much cheaper in NJ and they pump it for you!), they put their final destination into the Nav and on they go! Coming from PA on 78 or 80, that Montvale Rest Area would work for you as well.

What school did you look at in CT? My daughter will be starting classes at Sacred Heart in Fairfield in 31 days! A gorgeous campus, btw! The buildings are 80% brand new and there is lots of green! Where does your other son go in NY?

Oh for goodness sake... we went to Fairfield U. and Quinnipiac!! Sacred Heart looks like a gorgeous campus. She must be so excited! Is she living on campus or are you close to there. My son liked both of the colleges we visited but we have a few more right around here to visit. We're headed to Lafayette and Elizabethtown and maybe F& M all in PA next week and the week after. Just day trips cause they are only 1-2 hours from our house. (secretly hoping one of those will be first choice cause not so far from home.)
My other son is starting his Jr. year at Marist in Poughkeepsie. He is very happy there but honestly my kids are pretty easy going and as long as they are in a nice environment with a few similar kids around they are fine. That's about 3 1/2 hrs from here.

Thank you for the info about the Montvale Rest Area... I wish I knew that before we went and will def. use it if we head out there again. I miss the good old days with a 'physical' map to hold and follow. Using a map is a lost art. I remember when we would go on trips before all this GPS junk that I would map out each trip with a highlighter and we never had a problem!
I still have AAA membership and I think I will head over for some maps... assuming they still have them?!?!

 

[NotableNancy]

That's a whole different kind of chicken math!

Good for you for your generosity!

I have a feeling I will be giving away more than I sell. My niece already gave me about 15 cartons that she has saved since she first heard that I was getting chicks. Isn't she sweet? I know she is hoping that I re-gift them to her full of eggs!

That's funny... I went into the PO today and the guy I give eggs to there once in a while asked if I needed cartons... it sure sounds like a hint that he needs eggs!

 

[jonsccm]

What are y'all's thoughts about having chicks shipped in the summer? I have only ordered in the spring before and have experanced the cold stress put on them but will the heat be bad on them as well?