Raising chickens v. buying eggs: which is cheaper?
Raising chickens v. buying eggs: which is cheaper?
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Some friends in Portland, OR have four pet chickens that lay about as many fresh eggs as poops in their backyard. I was curious if raising chickens saved them money so I asked them to break it down for me.
On a monthly basis they pay…
Pine shavings for litter: $5
Organic feed: $10
Total cost for four chickens: $15
Monthly egg yield: 78 eggs
Cost of 78 organic eggs in the store at $3/dozen: $19.50
Monthly savings: $4.50
But the monthly cost analysis does not take into account all the expenses so let’s look at the yearly investment.
Buying the birds: approx. $5 per chick x 4 chicks = $20
Cost of chicken coop: $500 (They made a very impressive coop themselves. One could be made for much less.)
Yearly upkeep (12 x monthly cost): $180
Yearly cost of chickens: $700
Yearly egg savings (12 x monthly egg costs): $234
Yearly savings: -$466
By this analysis, our friends are going broke raising chickens. However, there are other factors that have an intangible cost benefit. These are impossible to put a dollar figure on because each person values them differently.
These factors include the time spent tending the chickens, the money saved from eating less meat because you are getting more protein from eggs, the value of a constant source of fertilizer, pride in raising your own chickens, enjoyment gained from having perky pets, and the value of fresh eggs.
There is also the WOW factor when you show guests your chickens, which is generally offset by the poop everywhere factor.
Depending on how you value these factors, raising your own chickens could be just the thing for you. Just don’t hold chickens too close to your face. Peck!
A great resource for anyone interested in pet chickens is .
Thanks Alisa!
Baby Chicks Order Online in
Lanett, Alabama
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Lanett Alabama,
including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more.
Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different
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Alabama also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
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turkeys for sale, guinea for sale, peafowl for sale, pheasant for sale,
chukar partridge for sale, bobwhite for sale, many different breeds of
baby chicks for sale in Lanett AL.
Baby Chickens Mail in
Lanett, Alabama
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Lanett Alabama
catalog is a yearly traditions in many houses. My kids and I eagerly await
the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog. We love looking at all the cool and
different chicken breeds available. Catalogs are free so head on over to
their site and request one if you are interested.
Typically hatcheries online offer both standard breeds
and bantams. Bantams are fun hardy little chickens, they lay tiny eggs
that kids especially love collecting. Bantams typically weigh less than 2
pounds when full grown. Just like ordering anything online there are pros
and cons to ordering baby chicks online. Pros of buying baby chicks in
Lanett Alabama * Big Selection - If you are wanting a large
variety of different chicken breeds and egg colors, you will find the best
selection at an online hatchery. * Both Bantams and full sized chickens
available * You get to choose what sex you want. If you want a mixture of
both male and female then choosing a "straight run" will save you money
and you will get a mixture of male and female chicks. You can also choose
all males or all females too. * Weekly specials. Hatcheries have sales on
chicks, you are likely to get a good deal if you are flexible with the
breeds you are wanting. Cons of buying baby chicks in Lanett
Alabama * Order early to get the best selection. Certain breeds sell
out fast, sometimes as early as 6 months in advance of shipping! If you
are wanting a certain breed it's best to order your chicks in the fall
before their orders sell out.
Baby Chickens Hatching in
Lanett, Alabama
Quantity - you must order a certain number of chicks. Typically hatcheries
will require you buy a minimum of 25 chicks at a time. The number is
necessary for the chicks survival during shipping. All 25 chicks are put
in one small box without heat. They are crowded in the box and produce
enough body heat to arrive in good shape. * The wait - If you choose to
buy chicks from a feed store you will have them the same day but if you
choose to go with a hatchery you have to wait until they are ready to ship
and then wait for the chicks to arrive. Ordering baby chicks online in
Lanett Alabama is easy and has always been a very pleasant
experience of me. It can be a little frustrating waiting for the chicks
but it's so worth the wait. When the post office calls and you hear all
those little "cheeps" or "chirps" in the background you'll know the wait
was worth it! How to Care for your new baby chickens in Lanett,
Alabama Baby chicks are really
charming and also
difficult to resist,
yet it's best to prepare for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare initially
by compiling not just the
correct products, but
additionally the appropriate
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
straightforward, you merely have to supply them with the following: A
clean and warm and comfortable
habitat A lot of food and water Attention and also
love Habitat Your habitat could be a basic box, aquarium,
cat service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as
blankets (without any loose
strings!) to begin, and after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over newspaper.
Note: Avoid making use of only
paper or various other sandal
surface areas-- or your chicks legs can grow
misshapen. You additionally need
something to serve up food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
dish from the feed store, or a pickle jar
lid for food and also a pet bird water dispenser from a family pet store. Likewise, as the chicks get
older you could introduce a perch
right into the habitat to get them
educated on setting down. Heat To
keep your chicks warm you have to
provide them with a warmth resource.
This can be as simple as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware store, or an infrared reptile heat
light bulb likewise work effectively (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with plumes (which can take up to two months). The freshly
hatched out need a temperature
in between 90 as well as 100 levels,
and also weekly this can
be lowered by
about 5 degrees or
so. The heat resource must be on merely one side of the cage
to enable chicks a variety of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
contrary corner of your warmth
light, you should
reduce the temperature. If
they are surrounding each other under the
warmth (not merely snuggling),
you need to add some warmth.
House cleaning
Tidiness is crucial as
well as it maintains your chicks healthy. Make certain to transform
the bed linen
commonly and also
constantly give clean
food and also water Food and also water.
Chicks grow extremely fast
which calls for plenty of clean
food as well as water. Provide
enough whatsoever times and also inspect
typically to
stop parched as well as
starving chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated and
also non-medicated ranges. Feed chick food for the
very first 2 months, then
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for an additional 2 months,
and then to a slightly
lower healthy protein feed or a level feed
(if you have layers). Soil Some chicks want
to obtain a running start on taking
filth bathrooms, while others won't take
up that activity until they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
dust for them to shower in.
Interest and also love There are a couple of advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. First off, they will probably bond with you as well as
not escape as adults. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
see their behavior, you could
capture ailment or other troubles earlier. Keep an
eye out for hissing, hopping, or
various other unhealthy
indications. Make sure to
also check out
their poop, as diarrhea could lead
to matted feathers and clogged cloaca.
Finally, it is essential to look out
for social problems, such as the
smallest chick obtaining teased. Vacant nest syndrome So your
chicks are now fully feathered
as well as its time for them to leave the
safety and security of your home
and also relocate outside right into a
coop. Look into our
area on chicken coops to learn more
about cages and also
proper cage environments.
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