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 Chickens
For Sale Near Me in
Poland, Maine
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Poland Maine,
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. Poland
Maine also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Poland Maine, 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 Poland ME.
Baby Chicks Incubator in
Poland, Maine
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Poland Maine
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
Poland Maine * 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 Poland
Maine * 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 Chicks Facts in
Poland, Maine
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
Poland Maine 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 Poland,
Maine Baby chicks are very
cute as well as
hard to withstand,
yet it's finest to plan for their
arrival prior to you get them. Prepare initially
by compiling not just the
correct materials, yet
additionally the correct
understanding to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is fairly
simple, you just have to provide them with the following: A tidy and warm and comfortable
habitat Plenty of food and also water Attention and also
love Environment Your environment can be a
simple box, fish tank,
feline carrier, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and also
blankets (without loose
strings!) to begin, and after a
couple of weeks use straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing just
paper or other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could grow
malformed. You also need
something to dish out food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
meal from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food and also a family
pet bird water dispenser from a family pet store. Likewise, as the chicks age you can introduce a perch
right into the habitat to obtain them
trained on perching. Heat To
keep your chicks warm you have to
offer them with a heat resource.
This can be as straightforward as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design light from a
hardware store, or an infrared reptile warmth
bulb likewise work very
well (my
suggestion). Chicks need this
heat 24/7 till their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which can use
up to 2 months). The freshly
hatched require a temperature level
in between 90 as well as 100 levels,
as well as every week this can
be lowered by
roughly 5 levels approximately. The heat resource should get on merely one side of the cage
to permit chicks a range of
temperature levels. The chicks are your best
thermometer- if they are hiding in the
contrary edge of your heat
light, you should
lower the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not simply curling up),
you should put some heat.
House cleaning
Cleanliness is essential and it maintains your chicks healthy. Make sure to change
the bed linen
usually and also
constantly supply clean
food as well as water Food as well as water.
Chicks expand very fast
which calls for plenty of clean
food and water. Supply
sufficient in any way times and check
usually to prevent parched and
hungry chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, and also it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated ranges. Feed chick food for the
very first 2 months, then
switch to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
and afterwards to a somewhat
reduced healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Soil Some chicks want
to obtain a head start on taking
dirt baths, while others won't occupy that activity till they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, present a tray of sand or
dirt for them to bathe in.
Focus and love There are a
few benefits to hanging
out with your chicks. First of all, they will more than likely bond with you and also
not run away as adults. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily and also
watch their behavior, you can
catch health problem or various
other troubles previously. Keep an
eye out for wheezing, limping, or
other unhealthy
signs. Make sure to
additionally take a look at
their poop, as diarrhea can result in matted plumes and clogged up cloaca.
Lastly, it is very
important to keep an eye out for social concerns, such as the
smallest chick obtaining badgered. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are currently fully feathered
as well as its time for them to leave the
safety of your home
as well as move outside right into a cage. Look into our
part on chicken coops for more information
regarding cages and
appropriate coop environments.
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