Raising chickens v. buying eggs: which is cheaper?
Raising chickens v. buying eggs: which is cheaper?
, ,
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
Chickens Under Heat Lamp in
Oakley, Kansas
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Oakley Kansas,
including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more.
Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different
egg layers in smaller amounts and buy as an assortment. Oakley
Kansas also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Oakley Kansas, bantams for sale, ducks for sale, geese for sale,
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 Oakley KS.
Baby Chicks
Breeds in
Oakley, Kansas
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Oakley Kansas
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
Oakley Kansas * 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 Oakley
Kansas * 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 Hatchery in
Oakley, Kansas
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
Oakley Kansas 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 Oakley,
Kansas Baby chicks are really
cute and
challenging to withstand,
however it's ideal to plan for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare initially
by collecting not only the
appropriate materials, but
additionally the proper
expertise to care for
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
simple, you simply need
to provide them with the following: A
clean and cozy
environment Lots of food and water Attention as well as
love Environment Your environment can be a
simple box, aquarium,
pet cat service provider, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels and
blankets (without loosened
strings!) to start, as well as after a
couple of weeks make use of straw over paper.
Note: Avoid using just
paper or other sandal
surface areas-- or your chicks legs could grow
malformed. You additionally require
something to provide food as well as
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
dish from the feed store, or a pickle container
lid for food and also a family
pet bird water dispenser from a
pet dog shop. Likewise, as the chicks age you could introduce a perch
right into the habitat to obtain them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
keep your chicks warm you have to
offer them with a heat source.
This can be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb likewise work effectively (my
referral). Chicks need this
heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which can take up to 2 months). The freshly
hatched need a temperature level
in between 90 and 100 levels,
and also each week this could
be lowered by
around 5 levels approximately. The heat resource ought
to be on just one side of the cage
to enable chicks a range of
temperature levels. The chicks are your best
thermometer- if they are concealing in the
contrary edge of your warmth
lamp, you have to
decrease the temperature level. If
they are smothering each other under the
warmth (not simply curling up),
you have to add some warmth.
House cleaning
Tidiness is key and it maintains your chicks healthy. Make sure to change
the bed linens
often and also
constantly provide clean
food and also water Food and also water.
Chicks grow really quickly
which requires a lot of tidy
food and water. Supply
enough at all times and also inspect
frequently to avoid dehydrated 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 selections. Feed chick food for the
very first 2 months, after that
switch to a raiser food (~ 17 %
healthy protein) for another 2 months,
and after that to a somewhat
lower healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks like to get a head start on taking
filth bathrooms, while others will not use up that task up until they are
older. If you have the room in your chick
unit, introduce a tray of sand or
filth for them to wash in.
Interest as well as love There are a
few advantages to spending quality time with your chicks. First off, they will most
likely bond with you and
not escape as adults. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
view their habits, you could
catch ailment or other issues previously. Watch out for wheezing, limping, or
various other harmful
indications. Make certain to
likewise check out
their poop, as diarrhea can bring about matted feathers and obstructed cloaca.
Last but not least, it is necessary to keep an eye out for social issues, such as the
littlest chick getting picked
on. Vacant nest disorder So your
chicks are now totally feathery
and its time for them to leave the
security of your house
and also relocate outside right into a cage. Take a look at our
area on chicken coops to get more information
regarding coops as well as
correct cage habitats.
Baby Chickens Under Heat LampBaby Chickens Hatchery More Posts Baby Chickens for Sale in Atlanta, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Fort Riley, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Larned, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Muscotah, Kansas Baby Chickens for Sale in Brewster, Kansas