The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

We had almost 2 ft of snow last night. Hens not impressed but I shoveled them out a path & they have ventured out. Ever see a hen get stuck in s snow drift? Never laughed so hard this morning . Did see I had spots that let snow in their enclosed run so scooped it all out that was snow covered & covered open ares with plastic & put some fresh straw in. They are happily digging away in the straw as the snow continues to fall. Just have to turn it some more so the little that is damp from snow dries out.

 

[delisha]

I really liked the article and now plan to toss in some oregano seeds in the lawn. I understand from reading it that it is the oils they claim work, however, I feel the oregano in its natural state will also add benefits. I enjoyed leah's mom's article and learned some important information on the whys of certain things. She has a wonderful way with words.

In the winter I usually have 5-7 laying hens and a couple of pullets. This winter I kept 6 pullets, with my older laying flock of 5 hens, and I will be keeping all of my heritage RIR pullets that hatch out in few days, they will be laying in June. It is difficult to keep a laying flock over the winter and I cull my flock down to the minimum before winter hits. I do not do the heavy cull in spring. I breed in spring. I have had 50 laying hens and knew who layed what egg when I sold eggs. Yes it is difficult to know who layed what egg when you have so many. Each egg looks different and I used to mark them in a book. I no longer have to do that anymore since my numbers are so low. At that time the cost of feed was a few dollars a 50 lb. bag and getting a dollar a dozen was a huge profit. Now it cost a dollar for an egg carton and a dollar for the feed. I need to increase my laying hens now because the demand is pretty high for free range and I can get $2.75 a dozen. Next year I will be up to 11 hens and at least 10 pullets. I average 6 eggs a day during the winter. During late spring it is about 15 average. I like to sell a dozen a day. This next year I want to bump that up to 2 dozen a day, and see how so many can house over the winter. I am getting older and I am not sure I am up to the added work in the winter.

 

[maggiemo]

At that time the cost of feed was a few dollars a 50 lb. bag and getting a dollar a dozen was a huge profit. Now it cost a dollar for an egg carton and a dollar for the feed.

I have often wondered how other people figure costs. Do you mind explaining what you mean by 'it costs a dollar for the feed'? please?

 

[aoxa]

I really liked the article and now plan to toss in some oregano seeds in the lawn. I understand from reading it that it is the oils they claim work, however, I feel the oregano in its natural state will also add benefits. I enjoyed leah's mom's article and learned some important information on the whys of certain things. She has a wonderful way with words.

In the winter I usually have 5-7 laying hens and a couple of pullets. This winter I kept 6 pullets, with my older laying flock of 5 hens, and I will be keeping all of my heritage RIR pullets that hatch out in few days, they will be laying in June. It is difficult to keep a laying flock over the winter and I cull my flock down to the minimum before winter hits. I do not do the heavy cull in spring. I breed in spring. I have had 50 laying hens and knew who layed what egg when I sold eggs. Yes it is difficult to know who layed what egg when you have so many. Each egg looks different and I used to mark them in a book. I no longer have to do that anymore since my numbers are so low. At that time the cost of feed was a few dollars a 50 lb. bag and getting a dollar a dozen was a huge profit. Now it cost a dollar for an egg carton and a dollar for the feed. I need to increase my laying hens now because the demand is pretty high for free range and I can get $2.75 a dozen. Next year I will be up to 11 hens and at least 10 pullets. I average 6 eggs a day during the winter. During late spring it is about 15 average. I like to sell a dozen a day. This next year I want to bump that up to 2 dozen a day, and see how so many can house over the winter. I am getting older and I am not sure I am up to the added work in the winter.

It's so much more work in winter - definitely will give you that.

I understand why people wouldn't want to overwinter a lot of birds, but I seemed to ignore that tip from everyone LOL. I am overwintering 60% of the birds hatched this year. I started out with a very small flock in the spring. I sold anything I didn't want to breed (not proper colour - a mixed breed, a trait I didn't like - ie breeds supposed to be bearded, but lacking, etc). The rest I kept for breeding season. I'll sell a lot next fall.

I try to keep my big eating breed #s down during the winter. For example: I only have a handful of barred rocks and cochins. Cochins are not winter layers at all. With their large size, not a good bird to overwinter for the pocketbook.

 

[aoxa]

I have often wondered how other people figure costs. Do you mind explaining what you mean by 'it costs a dollar for the feed'? please?

It would indicate: what the income from that dozen eggs she collected, minus what it cost her to feed the hens to make a dozen eggs - the net would be $1

ie:

Income: $2
Expense $1
-------------------
Net $1

Delisha,

It costs you $1 a carton?!

 

[delisha]

Quote: Keep a record of every penny you spend on everything. Including things like mileage to the feed store. At the end of the year, divide it into the number of dozen of eggs you sold. Or number of birds sold or what ever you are doing for record keeping.

For example:

You have 12 chickens, your feed cost is $196.00, utility cost is $500.00. including fence, gate, repair, maintenance, insurance, gas, bird purchase for the year.

You sell 200 dozen eggs at $3.00 a dozen.

you made $600.00 selling eggs.... you spent $696.00 for those eggs.(196+500) .......(696-600)=96/200=.48
You only lost .48 a dozen so those are great numbers. It cost .48 a dozen to feed the birds.
My numbers are around a dollar a dozen. I also raise and sell meat birds to cover the additional expenses and costs.

These are factious numbers. I made them up to give you an idea on how you can do some numbers. Aoxia is the go to person for numbers.

 

[aoxa]

Keep a record of every penny you spend on everything. Including things like mileage to the feed store. At the end of the year, divide it into the number of dozen of eggs you sold. Or number of birds sold or what ever you are doing for record keeping.

For example:

You have 12 chickens, your feed cost is $196.00, utility cost is $500.00. including fence, gate, repair, maintenance, insurance, gas, bird purchase for the year.

You sell 200 dozen eggs at $3.00 a dozen.

you made $600.00 selling eggs.... you spent $696.00 for those eggs.(196+500) .......(696-600)=96/200=.48
You only lost .48 a dozen so those are great numbers. It cost .48 a dozen to feed the birds.
My numbers are around a dollar a dozen. I also raise and sell meat birds to cover the additional expenses and costs.

These are factious numbers. I made them up to give you an idea on how you can do some numbers. Aoxia is the go to person for numbers.

Well I keep track of all those things. But it's hard when your partner is bad in that regard. I have a big bag of receipts ready to be sorted. It's going to be a big loss this year. I do plan on earning a profit eventually.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I started to see a trend with some of the OT's giving different - sensible - advice. When I hatched my second batch of chicks, we built a large brooder (8'x4') and put the heat lamp at one end - and were amazed at how much time they spent at the opposite end from the light, even when it wasn't really warm out (it's a stand-alone structure). We extended - and extended - and extended the run, built three-sided shelters with roosts (they preferred to sleep outside on roosts rather than in the coop), and started using deep litter.

A little more than a year ago, I started reading the OT thread, and Hallelujah!!!

It all clicked.

2. Respect your elders - Instead of relying on what I have read by USDA sanctioned groups and by what the feed store sells, I now turn to OTs for information on more natural ways to do things. I use wood ash to protect my flock from lice/mites or to treat them if I think they have an infestation. I put it in their dusting areas so they may roll about in it at will. I don't use DE - it kills off the good nematodes that feed on the larvae of lice and mites.I'm really grateful for the OTs too! I learned SO MUCH as a first year chicken keeper!

I'm really grateful for what I've learned from the "Elders" too! Invaluable! Thanks OTs!


Quote: More! More! That's how we all learn!

 

[delisha]

Unfortunately it does cost a dollar to purchase egg cartons. I am presently looking into finding another route on the net. I have not found any that are much cheaper with the shipping costs.

 

[delisha]

I usually break even. This year I am at a $300.00 loss. I am heart broken. I am usually so good about money. I implemented so many new things this year and did not make the necessary actions to cover costs. Next year I am going to scramble to make up for it. I will be selling English Orpington eggs to make up for that $300.00.