Snack-o-nomics, or, Math and Chickens (but not Chicken Math)

[IvanTsary]

I was going over my chicken economics to see when or if my hobby might start paying dividends. We are limited to 8 birds (have 4 now but once we move to the new place want to add some Dominiquers or BR) so since my egg production is capped at the 170-200 eggs per chicken per year I have 2 ways to break black by the end of the first birds laying life. I can increase price per egg to 50 cents each (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) or I can cut costs. The biggest place I can do that is with treats/supplements. My wife loves to feed the birds, and since they get layer feed but also forage on grass clippings and such I understand I need to make sure they are getting a bit more protein.

What sources and recipes do you all use for the cheapest treats? They love the freeze dried meal worms, but those are the pricier treats. I cannot raise mealworms right now. How can I really stretch those treats out while keeping up the nutritional value at the lowest price?

Calculations appreciated

Chart below shoes projected results with 33 cents an egg and 50 cents per bird per week of treats, if I can get good stuff that cheap while accounting for my SO's generosity with the birds.

 

[csaylorchickens]

Watermelons when in season are cheap. Cut one in half and leave it out they will slowly pick at it. Also corn on the Cobb is fun for them to try to pick at. Scratch h is fun too and cheap. Chickens do not need a lot of treats if on layer feed. People overdo the treats. My girls only get small treats like grapes and meal.worms 3 to 4 times a week and small portions. They mainly stick to crumble greens from foraging and bugs if they get any.