*POLL*What do you consider too much money for a chick ?

*POLL* Would you pay "top dollar" for a chick? If so, what would be your limit?

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I feel like location is everything. Where I live, there's absolutely no way you would get RoI on rare chicken breeds at all. If you have them, it's only because you really really love them and just enjoy them like some people enjoy and buy boats. The market here simply doesn't exist. I've seen many a farm attempt it though, and then have to sell off their entire flocks for far FAR cheaper than they paid for them when it's a complete bust and the money is gone (We have the same issue with anything "Heritage". I breed FL cracker sheep, a rare heritage breed, but they won't sell unless you go $100-200 cheaper than common breeds like Katahdin or Dorper).

As an example: Adult Ayam Cemani hens here go for around $40, chicks $15. I could get $25-35 (depending on the season) for hens of any old breed though, including "barnyard mix"/mutts, and $5 for chicks. Nobody will pay more than $15 for any rooster, not unless he's a fighting rooster and earns his price (sadly). Just giving roosters away is common practice (and I'll admit I've been guilty of picking up many a free rooster for almost free chicken dinner)

I think a big part of that is this area is a meat market. Almost everything is purchased by the #. I've only had luck experimenting in semi-popular breeds that also get very big like Salmon Faverolles and Brahmas (which show people go absolutely ape for).

Our poultry shows are also strictly 4H and adults aren't allowed to participate. Bigger seems to always be better in them too and the judges almost always seem to pick a Brahma for BiS. Have yet to see a judge get WoWed by any of the "rare chickens" which all get lumped together in their own class, regardless of purpose.

All that in mind, I thought I was moneybags over here spending $9 a pop on BCM chicks this year. Then I saw this thread. :lol:
 
Since we aren't part of the show/pet crowd anything over a couple of bucks would be too much. Hatchery, high production, layers are currently what we are working with. Might add some meat birds later on.

Of course this is based on our current knowledge of chickens. As we learn and adapt, our opinions may change too.
 
45lk9p459gm-w said:
Since we aren't part of the show/pet crowd anything over a couple of bucks would be too much. Hatchery, high production, layers are currently what we are working with. Might add some meat birds later on.

Of course this is based on our current knowledge of chickens. As we learn and adapt, our opinions may change too.
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the lowest I've seen a chick go for is $3.65 (after tax), that was straight runs from Tractor Supply.
 

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