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 Breeds in
Fort Worth, Texas
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Fort Worth Texas,
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. Fort Worth
Texas also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in
Fort Worth Texas, 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 Fort Worth TX.
Baby Chicks Types in
Fort Worth, Texas
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Fort Worth Texas
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
Fort Worth Texas * 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 Fort Worth
Texas * 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 House in
Fort Worth, Texas
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
Fort Worth Texas 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 Fort Worth,
Texas Baby chicks are really
adorable as well as
challenging to resist,
but it's best to plan for their
arrival prior to you obtain them. Prepare initially
by collecting not only the
appropriate products, yet
also the correct
expertise to look after
them. Raising baby chicks is reasonably
basic, you simply have to supply them with the following: A
clean as well as warm and comfortable
habitat Plenty of food and also water Interest as well as
love Environment Your environment can be a
simple box, fish tank,
cat service provider, or guinea
pig cage. Line it with old towels and
coverings (without any loose
strings!) to start, and also after a
couple of weeks utilize straw over paper.
Note: Avoid utilizing just
paper or various other sandal
surfaces-- or your chicks legs can grow
misshapen. You likewise require
something to serve up food and
water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water
dish from the feed shop, or a pickle container
cover for food and also a pet bird water dispenser from a family pet store. Likewise, as the chicks grow older you can introduce a perch
right into the habitat to obtain them
trained on perching. Warmth To
maintain your chicks heat you have to
offer them with a warmth resource.
This could be as easy as a 100 watt
light bulb in a reflective clamp design lamp from a
hardware shop, or an infrared reptile heat
bulb likewise work effectively (my
recommendation). Chicks need this
warmth 24/7 until their downy fluff is
replaced with plumes (which could occupy to 2 months). The newly
hatched out need a temperature level
in between 90 as well as 100 degrees,
and every week this could
be decreased by
approximately 5 levels approximately. The heat source ought
to get on just one side of the cage
to allow chicks a variety of
temperature levels. The chicks are your ideal
thermostat- if they are concealing in the
contrary edge of your warmth
light, you need to
minimize the temperature level. If
they are smothering each various other under the
warmth (not merely snuggling),
you should put some warmth.
Home cleaning
Cleanliness is crucial and it keeps your chicks healthy. Make sure to change
the bed linens
often as well as
consistently supply clean
food and also water Food and water.
Chicks expand extremely quick
which calls for lots of tidy
food as well as water. Offer
enough at all times and examine
frequently to avoid dehydrated and also
hungry chicks. Chick food is different compared
to adult chicken food, as well as it can be found in both medicated as well as non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the
initial 2 months, after that
change to a grower food (~ 17 %
protein) for another 2 months,
and after that to a somewhat
lower protein feed or a layer feed
(if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks prefer to get a running start on taking
dust baths, while others will not take
up that activity until they are
older. If you have the area in your chick
room, present a tray of sand or
filth for them to bathe in.
Focus and love There are a couple of advantages to spending time with your chicks. First off, they will certainly probably bond with you and also
not run away as grownups. Second, if you
examine your chicks daily as well as
see their habits, you can
catch ailment or various
other issues previously. Watch out for hissing, limping, or
other undesirable
indications. Be sure to
additionally check out
their poop, as looseness of the bowels could cause matted plumes and also clogged up cloaca.
Lastly, it is important to look out
for social issues, such as the
tiniest chick obtaining teased. Empty nest disorder So your
chicks are currently completely feathery
and its time for them to leave the
security of your home
as well as move outside right into a cage. Take a look at our
area on chicken coops for more information
about coops and
proper cage habitats.
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