Pricing

[MallardDuckling]

I've decided to get into ducks.
A friend who lives by me is talking me into getting into chickens as well. Well, it's working. I can't resist those adorable faces

I've been looking on Craigslist to find wood, or sheds that no one wanta that I can build stuff with. I've been finding lots of post from the same person, posting lots of different breeds of chickens. Some of the pricing seems crazy to me. I was hoping those who know more about chickens and these breeds can help me determine if it's a bogus price or not.

Here's what they have:

Americanas
1 day old -2 weeks old for $5 each OR 12 for $48
Hens for $10 each

Marans
1 day old French black copper, blue copper and splash for $7 each
Juvenile pair for $50
1 year old group of breedin pairs $225

Cochin
Hens almost 1 year old for $20 each OR all 4 for $75
12 chicks mix of blue, black and splash for $80

Do you guys think the prices are fair?
If so, I'm going to look into the breeds, talk with my friend and maybe get a few.

 

[flower]

The prices are OK if the chickens are well bred. They may seem high to a novice but once you start to raise chickens and learn more you will also learn that raising and breeding chickens is expensive. I wonder if it might be a good idea to start your adventure with chickens from the local hardware store if there is one of those nearby.

Besides learning the different breeds and how to house them, there are lots of different theories on how to add additional chickens to your flock and many other facts about illnesses that will occur. Good Luck on your adventure !

 

[[email protected]]

Those are a little to pricy to start

they must be bred to be show birds.

 

[flower]

It seems that different location will have a different price that the market will bare. I rarely pay more than ten dollars for a birds that are a few weeks old. Chicks no more than five and only if I really want that breed. Roostera are free !!!! If you wait long enough you can get a bargain. But then I live in Southern Ca where the cost of living is high.

 

[flower]

Back again..... About a pullet who has started to lay, $20 is not expensive. It takes some work and money to raise chickens and if some one can not pay at least $20 for a layer then they should raise them up form chicks.

 

[cashdl]

My straight run blue egger chicks are $3.00 ea. I sell my pullets that are blue egg laying mixed breed that I breed at my farm for $15.00 ea. They are not laying but I know they are girls and will lay blue eggs. My hens that are already reliably laying are $25.00 and up.

My Araucana are a different matter. Straight run rumpless and cleanfaced are $15.00 ea. Rumpless and tufted $35.00 ea. Pullets cleanfaced and rumpless $35.00. The pullets tufted and rumpless $65.00 ea. Juvenile breeding pair start at $125.00 and can go to several hundred depending on quality.


So it depends on the breed you are looking for. The quality of the birds. The area you live in. If you are just looking for neat looking egg layers then get them from a feed store or hatchery. If you want a specific breed to show and raise, I highly recommend spending the money and buying good quality stock from a breeder who knows their breed and can help you make a good investment.


Lanae

 

[cashdl]

Another note on buying older birds. My birds start out in life eating organic chick start and I spend $50.00 a week or more on just chick feed. They get chick feed untill they are about 2 to 3 months old. Then I switch over to a feed mix that while not quite as expensive cost wise, is fairly labor intensive to measure out and mix. I spend hundreds of dollars a month feeding my birds. Raising chicks to age laying age is expensive.


Lanae

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Those prices sound a bit on the high side, unless the birds are show lineages. Show birds have such strong production, vigor and fertility issues.

 

[cashdl]

Those prices sound a bit on the high side, unless the birds are show lineages. Show birds have such strong production, vigor and fertility issues.

I think you are just quoting something you heard somewhere and have no real knowlege of. There are so many hundreds of breeds that are shown and thousands of different breeders who show, that are breeding for different ideals. It would do a show breeder no good if they breed all the production, vigor and fertility out of their birds. How would they keep their lines perpetuating.

I personally have show birds and do show my breeding birds. Last fall my two most prolific and strong roosters were shown because they represented the best of the araucana that I have. Same goes for the hens. I breed the best hens I have to the best roosters, not just for looks but for egg laying year round and to be a dual purpose meet bird. If I didn't breed my best and healthiest together I would never and I mean never get a bird that was show quality. My hens are used as broodies also when they want to hatch eggs. That is what the Standard of Perfection for my breed calls for. A dual purpose breed, Not a pale wasted bird that doesn't lay eggs or can't feed your family if need be.

I have found Personally that my pure bred show birds are laying much longer and more reliably then any hatchery bird I have ever bought no matter the breed and I have about 10 different hatchery breeds represented in my table egg laying flock along with some araucana that are not correct to breed type in all respects.


I don't advocate that everyone run out and buy a show bird or even a bird from show quality stock for just some back yard eggs. Why spend the money. However if you are going to show or breed your birds, a breeder is where you really should start.

Lanae

 

[[email protected]]

I think you are just quoting something you heard somewhere and have no real knowlege of. There are so many hundreds of breeds that are shown and thousands of different breeders who show, that are breeding for different ideals. It would do a show breeder no good if they breed all the production, vigor and fertility out of their birds. How would they keep their lines perpetuating.

I personally have show birds and do show my breeding birds. Last fall my two most prolific and strong roosters were shown because they represented the best of the araucana that I have. Same goes for the hens. I breed the best hens I have to the best roosters, not just for looks but for egg laying year round and to be a dual purpose meet bird. If I didn't breed my best and healthiest together I would never and I mean never get a bird that was show quality. My hens are used as broodies also when they want to hatch eggs. That is what the Standard of Perfection for my breed calls for. A dual purpose breed, Not a pale wasted bird that doesn't lay eggs or can't feed your family if need be.

I have found Personally that my pure bred show birds are laying much longer and more reliably then any hatchery bird I have ever bought no matter the breed and I have about 10 different hatchery breeds represented in my table egg laying flock along with some araucana that are not correct to breed type in all respects.


I don't advocate that everyone run out and buy a show bird or even a bird from show quality stock for just some back yard eggs. Why spend the money. However if you are going to show or breed your birds, a breeder is where you really should start.

Lanae

Yes I was thinking the same thing because I breed my chickens and show them also they have great fertility and production! so I dont know what he is talking about.