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 Online in
Weston, Missouri
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Weston Missouri,
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. Weston
Missouri also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Weston Missouri, 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 Weston MO.
Baby Chickens By Mail in
Weston, Missouri
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Weston Missouri
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
Weston Missouri * 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 Weston
Missouri * 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
Near Me in
Weston, Missouri
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
Weston Missouri 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 Weston,
Missouri Baby chicks are really
adorable and also
challenging to stand up to,
however it's best to plan for their
arrival before you obtain them. Prepare first
by collecting not only the
proper materials, but
likewise the correct
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is relatively
easy, you simply should offer them with the following: A tidy and cozy
environment A lot of food and also water Attention as well as
love Environment Your environment could be a
simple box, aquarium,
pet cat provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as
coverings (with no loose
strings!) to begin, and after a few weeks use straw over paper.
Keep in mind: Avoid using only
paper or various other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs could expand
malformed. You likewise require
something to provide food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
dish from the feed shop, or a pickle container
cover for food as well as a pet dog bird water dispenser from a pet store. Additionally, as the chicks grow older you could present a perch
right into the habitat to get them
trained on setting down. Warmth To
maintain your chicks warm you should
provide them with a warmth source.
This can be as simple as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp style light from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile warmth
light bulb also work extremely well (my
referral). Chicks require this
warmth 24/7 until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which can occupy to 2 months). The newly
hatched out require a temperature level
between 90 and also 100 degrees,
and every week this can
be reduced by
about 5 levels approximately. The warmth source must get on just one side of the cage
to enable chicks an array of
temperatures. The chicks are your best
thermostat- if they are hiding in the
opposite corner of your warmth
light, you have to
lower the temperature. If
they are surrounding each various other under the
warmth (not simply snuggling),
you should include some warmth.
House cleaning
Sanitation is essential and also it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Be sure to transform
the bedding
frequently and also
consistently give clean
food and also water Food and water.
Chicks grow extremely quick
which calls for a lot of tidy
food and also water. Offer
sufficient whatsoever times and also check
typically to avoid parched and also
starving chicks. Chick food is various than grown-up chicken food, and also it is available in both medicated as well as non-medicated varieties. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, then
switch to a raiser food (~ 17 %
protein) for one more 2 months,
then to a slightly
reduced healthy protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have layers). Dirt Some chicks prefer to obtain a head start on taking
filth baths, while others won't use up that activity till they are
older. If you have the space in your chick
room, present a tray of sand or
dirt for them to wash in.
Interest and also love There are a couple of benefits to spending time with your chicks. Firstly, they will probably bond with you and
not escape as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily and also
view their actions, you could
capture ailment or other troubles earlier. Keep an
eye out for wheezing, hopping, or
other harmful
indications. Be sure to
also check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could result in matted plumes and also blocked cloaca.
Finally, it is necessary to watch out for social issues, such as the
tiniest chick getting teased. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are now completely feathered
and also its time for them to leave the
safety and security of your home
and also relocate outside into a cage. Take a look at our
area on chicken cages to get more information
regarding coops and also
proper coop habitats.
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