The true cost of backyard eggs!

[Oblio13]

None of us will ever be able to compete with the economies of scale of commercial egg producers. But what are the intangibles worth to you? Adding life, movement and interest to your surroundings, opting out of the battery-hen system, the primal satisfaction of gathering fresh eggs? I say don't worry about trying to justify the cost, just enjoy the hobby.

 

[WisconsinGardenChick]

We worked it out to breaking even. We were buying organic eggs from Whole Foods. We feed our girls organic feed and supplement with greens from the garden, plus they get out to eat bugs and whatever else they can find. Based on those prices, we work out even. (Edited to add: I'm including cost of bedding in that.)

HOWEVER, that doesn't count the cost of the coop and feeding them up until the point they started laying. Plus, I don't have my own greens to feed them in winter and sometimes buy them.

But I always tell people, the full equation (for me, anyway) would have to include the health benefits of eggs produced this way, the manure they produce for the garden, and their role in eating bugs (thank goodness they love Japanese beetles!) in the garden.

If you count all that, I think I come out ahead. But the start-up costs are something I try not to think about too much.

Before they started laying, hubby told people at work those eggs had better be GOLDEN!!!

Katherine

 

[WisconsinGardenChick]

Quote:
EXCELLENT POINTS. The cost to the environment, to the animals, and to the contractors with agribusiness should be included to "complete the equation."

 

[WisconsinGardenChick]

Quote:

Bravo!!

 

[lighthawk]

Kim_NC
Thank you very much for posting those calculations. It is easy for someone to say "Just enjoy the hobby and don't worry about it" but for someone like me who is still planning, the model you posted makes it very easy to calculate the Cost/Benefit ratio into my plan and know beforehand what I can expect. I did plug in my own numbers based on the size of the flock I am planning and they give me a very good idea exactly what I need to budget for feed, equipment and the coop.
Again I can't say thank you enough. You have been VERY helpful.

 

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
I find this very interesting. So if I want to get an idea of "real" cost while including non-consumables (house, feeders, etc), I need to figure out how long I expect those things to last and kind of "share the wealth" between the years?

A speadsheet ain't gonna cut it for this, is it? XD

Yes, a spreadsheet would cut it if it encompasses everything and in a sensible manner. But if you just follow the 4 step calculations I did in post #54 (above yours) and plug in your own numbers/costs, you'll have an accurate cost based on a decent business model. You may think of other costs or savings that would affect your personal calculations.

Thanks for your reply!

Quote:
Good for you! And thanks for posting. I wondered if I were wasting my breath...errrr, I mean typing, LOL. But then I decided it was worth doing the calculations yet again for my own purposes.

I tried to give a simple model. We do lots of other things - sell hatching eggs for much higher prices, hatch our own chicks (less cost), sell 2 - 2 1/2 yr old layers (recoop/reduce cost), etc.

Anyway, I just wanted to bring a little fair minded business cost analysis as an example. Thanks for letting me know it was useful to you. Best wishes with your flock!

edited: sheesh...I typoed calculations twice! lol

 

[nursemeh]

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and it leaves me wondering...

what is the PERFECT number of chickens for a small backyarder???

6 to 8 hens? 10 to 12 hens?

cause I am STILL buying eggs. I buy them from my local feed store at $3 dozen( free range eggs from a local farmer). BUT, I didnt want to have to buy eggs at all anymore!!!

I foolishly believed something I read that 4 hens could supply eggs for a family of 5, but that just isnt turning out to be true!!! esp since one of my "hens" starting crowing a few months ago...but I digress....

I am wondering if I want to build a bigger coop in the spring- eh oh!!!! But, again, what would be the perfect number for cost containment for a small timer like me??


mary
p.s. my eggs are a gazillion dollars a dozen- but I LOVE my chickens!!!

 

[ducks4you]

The investment in housing, fencing, building the extras, like laying boxes, will make your eggs cost a lot, AT FIRST. If you keep the birds going, though, the cost per egg goes down. You're not going to build them a new coop EVERY YEAR, after all. I've learned what "throwaway" kitchen scraps that my birds like, and that cuts down on some of their feed. I am encoporating their poo into next year's garden, and THAT saves me on fertilizer that I DON'T have to add to my horse manure. I'm giving away some of my eggs, and THAT buys my some good will. If you decide you DON'T want to own your birds anymore, there's always SOMEBODY who will take them off of your hands. In our neck of the woods, I have neighbors who'd be more than happy to send them to their own freezer camp, OR, keep them for their eggs. I REALLY believe that keeping chickens for their eggs is a Win-Win, don't you?

BTW, my eight RIR hens are giving me 3-7 eggs/day (7 are 10 months old, one is going on 3 years old) Hope this helps!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

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The way to figure how many layers is to figure how many eggs you eat on average per day, then get that number of hens +2 to ensure that their cycles don't leave you eggless a day a week. Then if you want some to sell add a few hens. You should expect an egg per day for at least 5 days of the week. Hope that helps!

 

[kingme]

Quote:
I had no idea when I started this thread that there would be so many responses. It's been great looking at everyones responses. I agree with most here that it's a hobby and we will never fully break even, but that isn't the point.

Nursemeh- I have seven chickens and I get between 4 - 6 eggs a day. Although I still have the occasional 2 egg day. We have a family of four and we are just now getting to the point that we are starting to have a surplus. We currently have 25 eggs in the basket and I have not looked today yet. So I imagine after work we are going to have 5 more or so. One every hen starts laying regularly they really add up quickly. Which is good as I plan on buying off my neighbors with some fresh eggs.

When we started the first few eggs were like gold. Those were the eating eggs and we still bought eggs for baking and things. Now we use our fresh eggs for everything. It is very rewarding and being a city dweller it's a great leasons for my two daughters.

Oh one more thing, while my dog does not make me breakfast, my chickens do not protect my backyard!!!

Happy egging!