We all love our birds or we wouldn't be here, but money has never been more of an issue. Now that winter is coming on, we'll all start to feel the crunch of higher feed costs, the need for more bedding with the flocks spending more time indoors and so on. Let's all brainstorm some money saving tips on how to keep our flocks as economical as possible so we can keep our spouses as in love with them as we are
I've seen some great ideas on other threads and wanted to combine them into one place where we can come and learn fom eachother.
Here are some:
Bedding can be changed with the seasons...
-In the summer, use grass clippings that have been dried.
-In the fall, use leaves.
-Even talk with nurseries and stores about what they are doing with their ornamental autumn displays (STRAW)
Feed
-Kitchen scraps is the best money saver. Whatever we don't eat gets put aside for morning mealtime for the chickens.
-Grocery stores sometimes throw out old greens or bread. Make friends with them and let them know of a great alternative to the waste!
Coops
Always keep eyes peeled for recycled materials when thinking of building a new coop.
-Check Craigslist and Freecycle.com for cheap building materials or even post your own ad. Some people just want it gone
-Ask about fallen or rundown buildings and see if you can salvage its usable pieces (Remember to be very careful...Nothing can be more nasty than a hundred year old rusty nail in your foot)
-Yard Sales are great places to get old windows and doors...cheap

I've seen some great ideas on other threads and wanted to combine them into one place where we can come and learn fom eachother.
Here are some:
Bedding can be changed with the seasons...
-In the summer, use grass clippings that have been dried.
-In the fall, use leaves.
-Even talk with nurseries and stores about what they are doing with their ornamental autumn displays (STRAW)
Feed
-Kitchen scraps is the best money saver. Whatever we don't eat gets put aside for morning mealtime for the chickens.
-Grocery stores sometimes throw out old greens or bread. Make friends with them and let them know of a great alternative to the waste!
Coops
Always keep eyes peeled for recycled materials when thinking of building a new coop.
-Check Craigslist and Freecycle.com for cheap building materials or even post your own ad. Some people just want it gone
-Ask about fallen or rundown buildings and see if you can salvage its usable pieces (Remember to be very careful...Nothing can be more nasty than a hundred year old rusty nail in your foot)
-Yard Sales are great places to get old windows and doors...cheap