what would it cost to raise 100 pullets over the winter oct-april

[blueseal]

starting from day old chicks . what would it cost me feed wise.

 

[Kim_NC]

We need to know the cost of feed in your area to calculate that. But you can figure it out using the following consumption figures. These are for a single bird - multiply times 100 birds - then apply the price of feed.

For growing out 5 month layer breeds...

First 8 weeks - 4 lb feed/bird (Oct)
Weeks 9-20 feed - 12 lb/bird (Nov - Feb)

After that, as adults, allow .25 lb/bird/day

15 lb/bird (Mar - Apr)

You could reduce cost by feeding greens, scraps, other treats. But I would keep anything like that to not more than 10% of their diet in order to maintain proper protein levels.

 

[klf73]

with that math I think it would cost about $300 for food alone here

then you gotta figure shavings, electricity for heat, your time cleaning.....

 

[blueseal]

Quote:
feed costs $10.00 to $11.55 per 50 pound bag in my area i buy blueseal brand.

 

[klf73]

I do too, that is why I said that price. If you have 15lbs per bird x 100 birds = 1500 lbs divide that by 50lbs = 30 bags x $10 = $300 minimal

 

[Kim_NC]

Quote:
That would only cover the months of Mar - Apr to feed them as adults. In addition you would have to figure the feed cost to raise them for the first 5 months...

For Oct - Nov you would need 4 lbs per bird x 100 birds = 400 lbs. Divide that by 50lbs = 8 bags x $10 = $80 minimal
For Dec - Feb you would need 12 lbs per bird x 100 birds = 1200 lbs. Divide that by 50lbs = 24 bags x $10 = $240 minimal

Do you have a local feed mill? You could buy bulk feed and reduce the cost significantly.

 

[klf73]

yep, missed that

if the plan was to buy, raise then sell, don't think there would be enough $$ for the pullets. What do people pay for POL?
Even if you could get $15ea, cost of feed alone is $620 minimum. With no other costs your profit is less than $1000, not much for 7 months of work IMO

 

[blueseal]

Quote:
i hear what your saying really wouldnt be worth it. unless i got 20 dollars a bird and nobody will pay that . guess i could start out with 25 birds and see how it goes from there. im just thinking about it right now havent made any decisions yet.

 

[klf73]

I know, it's sad how much goes into each chicken. I don't think people realize it, they think they are cheap

. Wish you could really get what they are "worth"

 

[Kim_NC]

You need to sell them earlier to reduce the cost if you want to turn a profit.

I sell POL pullets at 5 mo old for $14.00 each. ($20 for rarer breeds.)
Using the numbers above, the cost of feed is $320 for 100 birds, or $3.20 each in feed:

For Oct - Nov you would need 4 lbs per bird x 100 birds = 400 lbs. Divide that by 50lbs = 8 bags x $10 = $80 minimal
For Dec - Feb you would need 12 lbs per bird x 100 birds = 1200 lbs. Divide that by 50lbs = 24 bags x $10 = $240 minimal

You basically double the expense of feed by trying to keep them to 7 months. So don't keep them that long.

Secondly, you need to be in it for the long haul. Considering the cost of pens, feeders, waterers, etc - you have to raise batch after batch and spread these costs over many, many birds. And really, those 'housing' items will last for years and do not represent the cost to raise a single batch.

You might also consider raising them to the started pullet age - 8 weeks. I sell pullets that age for $8 each.
Using the numbers above, the cost of feed is $80 for 100 birds, or $0.80 each in feed:

For Oct - Nov you would need 4 lbs per bird x 100 birds = 400 lbs. Divide that by 50lbs = 8 bags x $10 = $80 minimal

Edit: typo​