True cost of starting a backyard flock.

[Beekissed]

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Why are you getting rid of them???

Lightening the load....gifting my sheep, chickens and my faithful dog to those who will care for them the most and getting ready for a fresh wind to blow me to wherever I need to be. It is near breaking me in twain to give up my lovely and well loved friends...particularly the sheep and old Jake~the boys are taking him so he will not be so lonely. He recently lost his life mate, my dear and lovely Lucy. He is lonely and sad. My lovely flock will go to whoever will let them free range safely. The sheep will go back to their mother farm. Me? Who knows where I am going?

 

[dldolan]

Have a spreadsheet for start up and ongoing costs. (no laughing!

) Amortized the initial costs over 5 years and everything. Using the old pony shed and horse fencing & posts that were already on our property, getting poultry wire and broody area materials at Habitat for Humanity ReStore... ChickCastle from the ReUse section of the dump/landfill...

Flock cost/month -$25.83
Offset from eggs I don't buy anymore and extras I sell +$37.17

See, I am ahead every month. Really.

Is that called "chicken math" or what??

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

No way am I going to calculate what this chicken adventure has cost.

I don't calculate what our horses cost either. I'm already looking at retirement wondering why I haven't been able to save more, but there's nothing I would change. I love life with my animals.

 

[moonlyghtegirl]

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[gmendoza]

Im not going to break down the cost of "time" it took to build my coop.I wanted a larger one,there is a person I know who lets me take the pine pallets from the business he works at,I ordered two used billboard tarps online,got screws and plastic chickens netting,went out and did it.

For a coop that is 8'x8'x 7' high at the ridge and inside a run of 12'x24'x7' high at the ridge,with roosts and rafters for the games to roost on,with a vinyl billboard roof and coverings all around for winter,with the hinges for the door to the coop and the door to the run and to the nesting box cost me a big 150.00. big woop.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
I wish you all the luck and happiness with whatever new adventure you choose!

 

[Cargo]

I just wish I had more disposable income to spend on my animals.
Given the money I would like a nice 10x10 coop to house my girls with hanging cages for my rabbits inside as well.

 

[linben]

I didn't spend a lot on my coop. I used materials I found except for the wire and I built into my already there greenhouse. Now, I need a better roof for the run and I need a taller fence for my garden....
When I start thinking about the costs or trouble it doesn't take long for me to get a smile from watching the chickens running to me for treats or to hear my daughter complain about the "yucky" store bought eggs because we ran out of our "regular" eggs when she is baking... and I forget about the cost. I think having the chickens has been a great experience for my family and it makes it worth it.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

After studing, planning and drawing up plans for 5 (or more)yrs. We finally started my coop. It took dh and me over 6 months, of doing a little bit here and there, as we could find the time.. The final cost was over $1000.00.. Yes, it was over built and over the top w/ security.. BUT I have not lost one bird to predators in 19months.. I have enough room for 17 standard size birds.. Would I built it like this again? YES but only bigger!! I need more birds.. LOL

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Hinges- $8.00
Straw- $12.00
Chicks- $43.89
Feeders & Waterers- $25.00

Total cost- $88.89

Coop and run already built.

That's all it took me to get started... now I just have to buy feed.