Why is chicken scratch more expensive than chicken feed?

[gtaus]

So tell me, how does she pronounce the words "bed sheets"? I laugh everytime mine tries to pronounce those words.

My wife spoke pretty good English before we were married. She worked on the Subic Bay US Naval base in the Philippines in their legal department. There were some words, of course, that she spoke with an accent. But we have been married now for 30+ years and her pronunciation is almost near native.

She does not have a problem saying "bed sheets." However, we recently had Sloppy Joe sandwiches which she pronounced as "Sloppy Hoes." From the Spanish influence, where the "J" is pronounced as our "H." I had to correct her on that pronunciation and why saying "hoes" was American slang for prostitutes. It was amusing, but I had to help her pronunciation on that to save her potential embarrassment in other circumstances.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Well, did you get concerned or excited when she told you what was for dinner?
Mine pronounces "bed sheets" with a double i on that last word.

 

[gtaus]

Well, did you get concerned or excited when she told you what was for dinner?
Mine pronounces "bed sheets" with a double i on that last word.

At my age, "bed sheets" is more of a concern than "sloppy Joes" for dinner.

Anyways, Filipinas make wonderful wives, so I think we both got lucky. I know I did.

 

[Sally PB]

I worked with a couple of Filipinas. Wonderful, great ladies. Very hard workers, and very considerate.

Nothing great, but better than paying full retail price.

Every little bit helps!

 

[Mosey2003]

I would hazard to guess scratch might cost more because it's only whole grains, whereas the processed feed they get to use a lot of byproduct and floor sweepings.

My Farm & Fleet has been running buy 3 get 1 free on Nutrena feeds very steadily for a few months now. I think they got a crap ton of old feed to move is why.

 

[gtaus]

I would hazard to guess scratch might cost more because it's only whole grains, whereas the processed feed they get to use a lot of byproduct and floor sweepings.

My Farm & Fleet has been running buy 3 get 1 free on Nutrena feeds very steadily for a few months now. I think they got a crap ton of old feed to move is why.

I checked the prices about a week ago, and the scratch is now about 50 cents less per 50# bag. But, it seems to me, that I used to pay about $2.00 less per bag of scratch compared to feed. Maybe it was just the brand of the scratch, because I know there is a big difference in brand name prices.

No good sales on feed, or scratch, here. This week the local Fleet store is having $1.00 off per bag. Better than nothing, but since the prices have gone up about $3.00 per bag, it's not all that tempting to buy anything until absolutely needed. I used to stock up on bags of feed when they went on sale for $3.00 off per bag, but that was pre COVID. I know those days are gone, but feed prices seem to be a lot higher than inflation, at least where I live.

 

[k24atom]

I checked the prices about a week ago, and the scratch is now about 50 cents less per 50# bag. But, it seems to me, that I used to pay about $2.00 less per bag of scratch compared to feed. Maybe it was just the brand of the scratch, because I know there is a big difference in brand name prices.

No good sales on feed, or scratch, here. This week the local Fleet store is having $1.00 off per bag. Better than nothing, but since the prices have gone up about $3.00 per bag, it's not all that tempting to buy anything until absolutely needed. I used to stock up on bags of feed when they went on sale for $3.00 off per bag, but that was pre COVID. I know those days are gone, but feed prices seem to be a lot higher than inflation, at least where I live.

I bought feed at my local TSC this weekend. Layer feed has gone up to $20 (Nutrena) per bag. Scratch was on sale for $13.99--regular price was $16.99 (Dumor)

We might be seeing local/ regional differences.

I live in the mountains 3 hrs NNE of Los Angeles, about 60 miles South of Yosemite. I go to LA weekly and prices are always cheaper there than in the central valley and high desert.

 

[gtaus]

We might be seeing local/ regional differences.

I think that is true. Most of the feed and scratch I buy are made in Minnesota, some locally within 50 miles. I am just comparing the current high prices with the past prices - which at the time I complained about also. Maybe it's just me.

I remember someone telling me that the cost of buying the day old chicks was the cheapest expense in the process. That certainly is true.