Quote:
Lord have mercy! I wish I could get $3.50 a doz. and $14 is not bad considering I pay that much here.
As for cutting cost , unfortunately I have a friend who can't seem to understand that the reason she is not getting any eggs is her feeding system. (Not Trylin) She seems to think she can feed them all the extras and it's not going to have an effect on production.
To many goodies and they don't get enough of what they do need to lay.
Another thing to consider is that certain breeds are better suited to foraging and ranging. Some breeds will simply never get enough out of it. "Production" birds like GC may not be all that good and need layer feed to produce. To many people still think chickens lay an egg everyday and some never will. Production depends as much on the breed and feeding system than many realize. While one RIR may lay alot another may not keep up. Lord knows that all "heritage dual purpose " birds do not have the meat producing capacity or the egg laying capacity that the books say they should. I have Dels that do not have the meatiness that they should. Which is where I'm working to improve. They are excellent layers. My best in fact, but to use for meat, not even close.
Another thing to consider is that some breeds do not take confinement well. Shut them up for the winter and they shut down. Some breeds have to be out, not matter what the weather they need fresh air. Crowd them out and they start picking and freak out.
So back to cutting cost, if you are going to approach this from a business angle, keep good records. Do some market research. Will your neighbors buy your eggs for $3.50 doz. if the market is selling them for $1.00 doz. like here? How many doz eggs do you need to maintain costs? 25 hens may not lay enough to cover things. I have 24. All different breeds and I may only get 12 eggs on a good day at this time of year. Some aren't getting any. What are your plans for winter? Will you use extra lighting. If not you need to consider even less eggs and more hens. I had one lady call me cuz she figured it was her birds and wanted more hens.
Finally don't be discouraged when you realize you love chickens and want more than 25. Always plan for 100 and then you'll have enough coop space and yard room for them. CUZ AS GOD IS MY WITNESS IT WILL BE A MIRACLE IF YOU CAN STOP AT 25.
Wish you happy chicken keeping. As if there is any other kind.
Rancher
Lord have mercy! I wish I could get $3.50 a doz. and $14 is not bad considering I pay that much here.
As for cutting cost , unfortunately I have a friend who can't seem to understand that the reason she is not getting any eggs is her feeding system. (Not Trylin) She seems to think she can feed them all the extras and it's not going to have an effect on production.
To many goodies and they don't get enough of what they do need to lay.
Another thing to consider is that certain breeds are better suited to foraging and ranging. Some breeds will simply never get enough out of it. "Production" birds like GC may not be all that good and need layer feed to produce. To many people still think chickens lay an egg everyday and some never will. Production depends as much on the breed and feeding system than many realize. While one RIR may lay alot another may not keep up. Lord knows that all "heritage dual purpose " birds do not have the meat producing capacity or the egg laying capacity that the books say they should. I have Dels that do not have the meatiness that they should. Which is where I'm working to improve. They are excellent layers. My best in fact, but to use for meat, not even close.
Another thing to consider is that some breeds do not take confinement well. Shut them up for the winter and they shut down. Some breeds have to be out, not matter what the weather they need fresh air. Crowd them out and they start picking and freak out.
So back to cutting cost, if you are going to approach this from a business angle, keep good records. Do some market research. Will your neighbors buy your eggs for $3.50 doz. if the market is selling them for $1.00 doz. like here? How many doz eggs do you need to maintain costs? 25 hens may not lay enough to cover things. I have 24. All different breeds and I may only get 12 eggs on a good day at this time of year. Some aren't getting any. What are your plans for winter? Will you use extra lighting. If not you need to consider even less eggs and more hens. I had one lady call me cuz she figured it was her birds and wanted more hens.
Finally don't be discouraged when you realize you love chickens and want more than 25. Always plan for 100 and then you'll have enough coop space and yard room for them. CUZ AS GOD IS MY WITNESS IT WILL BE A MIRACLE IF YOU CAN STOP AT 25.
Wish you happy chicken keeping. As if there is any other kind.
Rancher
