I got mine all for a buck or less, I basically haunted my local tractor supply until what little I had could cover what I needed. I love their clearenced stuff, made a few friends out of old curious farmers. Big family, not much for extra. My youngest is in school now so hopefully soon I can fix my truck and get back to work. We make ends meet ok with one income but we really need two.
I'll have that kind of disposable income in about a year or so, but maybe I can earn extra in a show. I've got a line on a possible breeder of good birds, I just hope he'll sell to me and I can pay what he asks for.