New and have questions.

[Cliff4504]

Very helpful and informative on all replies so thank you all. I had my hopes up for virtually free meat and eggs. If feed is unavoidable for me, I will have to do some cost analysis to determine if this is still something worth pursuing.

I also have a massive 125 year old two story livestock barn on my property that is not used for anything. It's in great shape for its age. The previous owner put a standing seam steal roof on it. I could put a coop in there, and fence a quarter acre behind it for a run. There are too many options for me to make a quick decision.

Maybe I'll focus on the garden and orchard this year with the goal of adding poultry in the spring 2015.

 

[chickwhispers]

If you decide to keep chickens, once they reach laying age, and lay more than they eat, they do pay for themselves.
Example:
15 hens laying average of 12 eggs per day = 7 dozen - 1 +/- for home use = 6 dozen @ $2 dozen = $12 per week x 4 weeks = $48 month, - $32 to $40 month max for feed (in the winter)= little more than free. That's for layers. So if you raise some extras, Broilers, after 15-18 weeks slaughter them yourself, you still are saving a few $ and you know where you food comes from.

 

[Alaskan]

Don't make a coop inside your barn, just wall off or fence off one section.