OMG, 3 weeks old and gone through 50lbs of feed.

[lady feathers]

I'm going through a little more than a 50#bag per week now, and my chicks are only just over 4 weeks old.... course I have about 115 (20 of them bantams) or so, stopped counting they move too fast! Only gonna get worse before it gets better though (free-ranging soon enough-crossing my fingers to get our coop done quickly)!

 

[OkChickens]

I have 30 5-6 week old RIR and Araucanas they have ate 75 lbs in there life. I have 50 Full grown chickens and 7 ducks and they go through about 50lbs of Layer Pellets a week plus some corn chops for a daily treat, The hens will Soon be free renging on 2 acres. My 42 4 day old chicks Welsummers and Araucanas have barely ate anything from the feeder but they drink a bunch of water!

Nate

 

[caspernc]

The first dozen eggs costs about $3000.00, then about $2.00 a dozen after that. I love my chicks tho.

 

[Frizzy Chicks]

We should probably make a post for newbies warning them of how much it costs for poultry. Lol, I have had chickens before and knew what I was getting into, my husband did not

. I wanted them too much to completely inform him. My chicks are almost two weeks ( estimating) and they havent gone into their eating frenzy yet. Kinda getting worried...

 

[Naughty]

I'm just glad that spring is here so they can start eating more grass and bugs to supplement!

i even planted a mulberry tree in the middle of my chicken yard so that when it matures they will get the berries that fall...lol

 

[Magenta_Chick]

Wowzers! I'm glad I only have 6 (I'm just starting out) I hope they dont go through that much food, little oinkers! lol

 

[little blue]

we though chickens ate alot then we had a few turkey 4 turkeys would go through the same amount of food as our 20 chickens.they ate alot an made a mess with the rest.hahahah

 

[mother o' chicks72]

my 5 teen babies who are about 5-6 weeks have just yesterday finished a 25lb bag with the help of some younger babies in a seperate brooder.

 

[bywaterdog]

Sounds like something else is dining on your dime. Were these day old chicks when acquired? I have 27 week and half olds and have used perhaps 15 lbs tops. Now I know as they grow out- so does their appetites, but as day olds they really don't eat to much.

The big question are they CornishX or some type of freaky meat breed? These types will go through your feed (and wallet)in no time.

 

[lotzahenz]

I agree, who wants to post a "What is Really costs to have chickens" ???? Well, thinking about it, there might be some things you don't want to know. But, then again, times are very hard right now and the cost of those 6 little cute egg laying machines or even the bantams can be staggering for some. It doesn't have to be expensive though, but with the price of feed right now, that part is unavoidable. SO, yes, maybe we should post a reality check for newcomers to chickens. It is not for the weak of heart nor those in dire straights. It is still much cheaper to buy the eggs at $5.00 per dozen than raise your own from scratch at this point, cause that first dozen often needs a mortgage!!! Now, exactly where will I put that new $5000 coop?

Anyone up for a new cost analysis post???