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Across the Fence:  Oh for pete's sake...  |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 12:31:38 PM
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So we all are doing our best to be self-sufficient, buy local, etc. etc. to the best of our abilities and lifestyle choices. It's all good I say. 
But an ad in today's paper made me laugh  and then I got a little choked  . One of the major nursery chains on the mainland is selling "backyard laying hens", presumably because it's the new cool thing to do. They are charging $24.99 PER BIRD  or five for $100.00.
It seems there is always somebody ready to capitalize on something.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 12:50:45 PM
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There was a story about urbanites having laying hens in the city and suburbs on the news a few nights ago. It IS the new hip trend in the "green" movement (says the news).
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 1:05:18 PM
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| There's a "City Chicken Club" in my town. A little more work on the yard, and I may be joining them...I'm glad someone else has broken the ice with city gov. |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 1:25:32 PM
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Don't get me wrong, I had six little layers 10 years ago when we lived in the city and think it's a fabulous idea. But as Alee says, you can get top quality chicks from a reputable source for under $2 each.
It just bugs me when people will capitalize on trends and completely rip off unsuspecting, well-intentioned people.
Pass the gripe water! :)
Di |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
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LauriP
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Laurianne
Hertford
North Carolina
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 1:38:33 PM
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>> Ha!! <<
This reminds me of when my oldest son worked at a Very high end restaraunt (sp) a couple years ago...
On the menu are steaks, that start at $45.00 -- After my shock and stunned silence, Danny looked at me, and asked me what I thot of the price...
I told him, "Hey, look -- I can call Lisa ( a friend in Mo. ) and have her send us a Live Calf for that price!! --- And I can fatten the darn thing for less than that steak!!"
Danny said I wasn't funny...
But --- this idea of a "Green Deal" on baby chicks?? Holy Cow!! I'm in the wrong business!! LOL!!
Laurianne |
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harmonyfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
785 Posts
Debbie
Southeastern
Ohio
USA
785 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 1:46:51 PM
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Just thank the good Lord above we all have enough sense to know when something is a fad and when it is for keeps.....maybe they'll figure it out, maybe not. It won't be much of a fad when a city cat tears one to shreads cuz they didn't keep it safe enough or the flock gets cocci or that wicked smell of wet manure.......should I go on?
Debbie
"If you can't find the time to do it right...how will you find the time to do it over" |
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milkmaid
True Blue Farmgirl
187 Posts
Heather
Higginsville
Missouri
USA
187 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 2:07:04 PM
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I am always amazed at what people will pay for silly things. I went to two livestock auctions last week and the OLD laying hens were going for 12-15 dollars apeice. These hens were very worn out looking... but they were snached up like they were new and fresh. The black angus bottle calves went for 80 dollars!! If I had the trailer I would of come home with beef!! I'd rather have those cows than a bunch of old hens that are good for nothing but stew.
http://goodfarm.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl #542
Mother to five awesome kids, wife of 17 years and milk maid to two beautiful cows. Living the good life!!! |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 2:15:10 PM
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you know what gets me about this? It is the fact that this has now become trendy to have some layers. These people will get them, the newness wears off and they find out there is a bit of work to it and then what?Sadly I think we all know the answers to that question.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 2:20:51 PM
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The sad thing is that people will buy them not knowing they can get chicks for $2 a piece and let them grow up to be laying hens. As they say, "There's a sucker born every minute."
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 2:39:15 PM
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And here I sold my dried up old hens last year for just $5 a piece. Darn! I guess next year when these new ones are older, I'll put an ad on Craig's List. Man, some people have all the luck. I wonder how many have been sold.
Kris
Life is what you make it. Always has been. Always will be. |
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Tammyb
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Tammy
Bluffton
Ohio
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 5:02:22 PM
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Wow and to think I just GAVE 5 good laying hens to a girlfriend who is just getting started with gardening and such.
I'll be sure and share with her ... it will be good for a laugh over coffee
Tammyb |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 5:09:33 PM
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The only justification I could think of (and I still think they are overpriced) is if they are relatively young chickens that are past the chick stage. Healthy and strong and already laying but not worn down. I suppose the price of feed and care is what they are trying to account for- plus a healthy profit! I would be willing to pay maybe $10 for a quality young bird that was past the chick stage and was already laying.
But when I get my chickens someday I will be getting baby chicks! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 10:22:06 PM
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As a capitalist, I wished I had the ovaries to rip people off like that but I just don't/can't. Even when I sold horses, I blew sales on purpose when I knew the horse and potential buyer woulnd't mix and I'd get a bad rep to boot. In the end it paid off though.
I've found that (from horse selling experience) that there are people who like to pay big bucks for XX and then brag to their friends. If it's cheap, er, inexpensive, they don't think they got the true value or they like to one-up their friends. Or if it's cheap, something must be wrong or inferior with the product. (Like a lady I know paid $25K for a trail horse from an Olympic rider, no kidding)
So, the hens might make them feel like they got something good and that's all they care about. If this is a trend, it'll probably go bye-bye at some point and then they won't know what to do with the old hens.
Winona ;-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 10:43:45 PM
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Oh my Gosh!! I bet I can get a few laying hens here for maybe 1 or 2 dollars a piece as well, if I wanted to. I love the sound of chickens and roosters, lol
But this is how it is with all "new trends". People pay top dollars for something new and are SO proud of themselves. After a while everybody is selling laying hens and the price drops dramatically because of overflow (??)of the market and they can't GIVE them away anymore.
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
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mulegirl
True Blue Farmgirl
184 Posts
rosemary
cottonwood pass
co
USA
184 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2009 : 10:02:22 AM
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It's all relative. If the people who bought the expensive chickens did some homework and research they probably wouldn't have paid that much. The store selling is hoping people will buy out of impulse and will always find their audience. It cracks me up when someone pays thousands for some popular breed of dog.
My dogs have always been rescues and in my eyes are the best.
Winona, you are a good person for not selling horses to the wrong person. That is thoughtful and good business. Unfortunatly Greed is the motivation behind some trying to make a fast buck.
I wouldn't sell my chickens for $100 apiece! (did I just say that?)
smile, follow your heart and don't look back
http://web.mac.com/rosemaryart |
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2009 : 10:05:43 AM
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Maybe they aren't chicks, but rather hens that are already laying? They still aren't worth that price though!
-Elizabeth |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2009 : 10:51:40 AM
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I guess PT Barnum was right - there is one born every minute. Just goes to show you how easily people are led by marketing. I wonder if Purina will start selling Chicken Chow at the grocery store next!!
Sheri |
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Across the Fence: Oh for pete's sake... |
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Oh for pete's sake...
