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 Names in
Freehold, New York
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Freehold New York,
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. Freehold
New York also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Freehold New York, 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 Freehold NY.
Baby Chicks
Diet in
Freehold, New York
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Freehold New York
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
Freehold New York * 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 Freehold
New York * 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 Supplies in
Freehold, New York
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
Freehold New York 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 Freehold,
New York Baby chicks are really
cute as well as
tough to withstand,
yet it's best to plan for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare initially
by gathering not just the
correct products, but
likewise the correct
knowledge to take care of
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
easy, you merely need
to supply them with the following: A tidy and warm
habitat Lots of food and water Attention and
love Environment Your habitat can be a straightforward box, aquarium,
cat provider, or guinea
porker cage. Line it with old towels as well as
coverings (with no loosened
strings!) to start, and after a few weeks make use of straw over newspaper.
Keep in mind: Avoid utilizing just
newspaper or various other slipper
surfaces-- or your chicks legs can grow
malformed. You also require
something to dish out food and also
water in, such as a chicken feeder and also water
dish from the feed store, or a pickle jar
cover for food and a pet bird water dispenser from an animal store. Additionally, as the chicks get
older you can introduce a perch
into the environment to obtain them
trained on setting down. Heat To
maintain your chicks heat 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 store, or an infrared reptile warmth
light bulb additionally function effectively (my
referral). Chicks need this
heat 24/7 up until their downy fluff is
changed with feathers (which could take up to 2 months). The newly
hatched require a temperature level
in between 90 and 100 levels,
and every week this can
be lowered by
around 5 degrees approximately. The heat source need to be on simply one side of the cage
to allow chicks an array of
temperatures. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
other edge of your heat
lamp, you should
lower the temperature. If
they are smothering each various other under the
heat (not just snuggling),
you should include some warmth.
House cleaning
Tidiness is key and also it maintains your chicks healthy and
balanced. Make certain to transform
the bed linens
often and
always give tidy
food and also water Food and water.
Chicks grow quite quick
which needs a lot of tidy
food and water. Provide
sufficient at all times as well
as examine
often to avoid thirsty and
starving chicks. Chick food is different than grown-up chicken food, as well as it is available in both medicated as well as non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
first two months, then
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for an additional 2 months,
and after that to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks like to get a running start on taking
dirt baths, while others won't occupy that activity until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, introduce a tray of sand or
dust for them to bathe in.
Attention and also love There are a couple of advantages to hanging
out with your chicks. First off, they will more than likely bond with you as well as
not run away as grownups. Second, if you
analyze your chicks daily as well as
view their habits, you could
capture ailment or various
other troubles earlier. Watch out for wheezing, limping, or
various other unhealthy
indicators. Be sure to
likewise check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels can cause matted feathers and stopped up cloaca.
Lastly, it is very
important to look out
for social concerns, such as the
smallest chick obtaining teased. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are currently fully feathery
as well as its time for them to leave the
security of your home
as well as move outside into a
coop. Take a look at our
section on chicken coops to read more
regarding cages and
appropriate cage habitats.
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