pross/cons of chickens?

[humphrey farms]

A 50# bag of grower crumble will last me about 2.5 months for my 5 girls, fed out as fermented feed. I also give them a bit of scratch, and sprout some seeds for them (BOSS, lentils, wheat and barley). this is in the winter when they don't have access to bugs and fresh greens. Their summer feed needs are much less. Don't expect that their eggs will be cheaper than store bought eggs. But, what they will give you is a much more nutritious egg with better flavor and much less cholesterol. Look up some of the studies done on egg nutrition. That alone should convince a lot of people to keep a back yard flock. Then, take a look at current large scale poultry raising practices. That SHOULD convince a lot more people to keep a back yard flock. Now, add the value of insect control, weed control, free tilling for your garden, free fertilizer, and a never ending source of entertainment... and I honestly can't understand how anyone other than the apartment dweller can get by without a small back yard flock.

X2...you said it all very well. I love my chickens. Less demanding/costly than our dogs & cats!!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Y


Yes Yes Yes!!!!!!!! Get chickens!!! It's TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!


Oh btw I'm sorry if I sound like a ranting mad person

You say "ranting mad person" like it's a bad thing.

 

[rancher hicks]

$60 for a 50lb bag???????

$60 ????????

I pay $12 for a 25lb bag.

Either way both are over the top. I pay $14 for a 50# bag. You both need to shop around around.

Heck you might be able to order it and have it delivered to you door for that price.

 

[rancher hicks]

You gotta do your research FIRST.

Half hoop. $200 or less. Holds 6-7 birds.




Rustic fencing cheap and easy. I've since replaced the stockade fencing with new. Did the work myself.

 

[3KillerBs]

Either way both are over the top. I pay $14 for a 50# bag. You both need to shop around around.

Heck you might be able to order it and have it delivered to you door for that price.

I'm buying at the local feed store rather than driving up the highway to the Tractor Supply where it might cost less. The convenience and the personal relationships are worth it.

 

[dwgov]

Hi! I don't blame you with the cost. Do you have a coop ? This may sound repetitious but, it really depends on the number. I have 15. It costs me about $18 every three weeks for a 50 lb. bag of feed. You can really cut down on feed cost with table scraps & letting them forage (outside the run if you are keeping them in a run). Other than that my only expense is pine shavings for the coop (not expensive at all). I tried sand & really liked it until winter. I'm in NJ & we had a pretty good one. I had to give my coop a good cleaning in February & the sand was just to heavy for my bad back to shovel out & replace. I didn't use any heat source & the temps were below freezing a lot & for long periods. The chickens were fine. I think your biggest expense will be feed.

 

[marjorie ann]

Please do not use pine bedding it can cause breathing problems. Use paper towels or chopped up hay.
chicken lady Marjorie

 

[rancher hicks]

Please do not use pine bedding it can cause breathing problems. Use paper towels or chopped up hay.
chicken lady Marjorie

Pines shavings for what?

I use it for all my birds and have had no problems. I've used it for my chicks and they do fine. I have used paper towels for the first few days for my chicks to make sure they're eating and pooping okay.

 

[foreverlearning]

Quote:
We all have our own likes and dislikes when it comes to bedding. Cedar is the type that you don't want to use because it can make them ill. Where I live there is so much humidity that pine shavings are not a good idea (holds moisture) but I love sand in my coop. In the north sand may not be a good idea for winter where pine shavings is great for warmth. I have been told by someone on these forums about using cheap shelf liner in the brooder. I use this for the brooder now because it is easy to clean, you can check their eating and pooping progress, it is cheap, and I don't have leg issues with it. If paper towels are on a slippery surface they can cause leg issues (tape them down or use on rough surfaces to prevent them from moving) and you want to check the hay for mites (some places have them in the hay).

 

[Our Roost]

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Please do not use pine bedding it can cause breathing problems. Use paper towels or chopped up hay.
chicken lady      Marjorie

Pines shavings for what?

I use it for all my birds and have had no problems.   I've used it for my chicks and they do fine.  I have used paper towels for the first few days for my chicks to make sure they're eating and pooping okay.  

Pine shavings come in 2 grades, course and fine. The fine grade can emit a lot of particles into the air when the chickens are scratching and I do suppose it could cause some respiratory concerns. I have used both and experienced no problems as "YET". I prefer to use the course as it is less messier. I use the fine in my brooding boxes and the course in my nesting boxes. Paper toweling is okay for 1 to 2 week old chicks and after that it is kaput and they need full time bedding. Just my opinion.