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Barnyard Buddies:  Feeding chickens too expensive.  |
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Wendy Flower
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Wendy
Gladstone
ND
USA
39 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2014 : 10:33:10 AM
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Well my honey says the chickens have to go, it costs more to feed them than they provide in eggs. In part it has been a lean winter because a ranch mate was feeding them the wrong food. We got them back on a layer formula and I have been diligent about letting the sunshine in every day. I'm lucky to get one egg. I've gotten 3 in a day at most this winter out of 9 hens. Even in the summer I don't know if they are pulling their weight. We can't let the hens roam as we have lots of birds of prey. They have a barn coop and an enclosed yard for when the weather is good.
What are other folks doing to feed their chickens?
Wind Farmer & Seamstress. |
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HodgeLodge
True Blue Farmgirl
662 Posts
Tiana
Berkeley Springs
WV
USA
662 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2014 : 11:37:54 AM
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my husband has been saying the same thing, not to the point that we are getting rid of them though. he says the most expensive eggs in the world lol. I give them layer too. I have cut back and give them all our leftovers now. lots of protein and they are laying sporadically, but their happy chickens, and free range in my 6ft fenced yard if it makes a difference.
Farmgirl #4817-The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hodge-Lodge-Clothesline/285366378259342
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2899 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2899 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2014 : 1:23:04 PM
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HAHA!
I was telling hubby that if we wanted to make money selling eggs, we would have to charge $10 a dozen at least.
We feed non GMO, but it really is not that much more expensive. It DOES get expensive to feed older hens, that are not laying much.
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2014 : 1:39:38 PM
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Well we have 6 hens that are not quite a year old. We get 4-6 eggs a day. We turned of the night light because we don't need so many eggs. We can't give them away fast enough. We have raptors here and some wandering dogs but we let them free range when we are home. We feed them layer crumbles and scratch and anything from the kitchen. Chickens will eat anything. Maybe having a mild winter helps out here. If they were not laying they would have to go---maybe. They are such sweet girls. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2014 : 2:08:11 PM
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My grandmother always told me that when chickens' feet get cold they quit laying. Don't know how much truth there is to that, but during the winter I remember that she would keep them in the hen house.
I do know the truth that she was glad when (as a little kid) the chickens would start laying again after I went home. Must have been when I chased them all the time!
Betty in Pasco |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2014 : 02:51:53 AM
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| We changed the type of feed we use for the chickens. We started buying chicken feed a local mill created. That seems to make the difference. Also, we don't even own a garbage disposal. Between the dogs and chickens all our food scraps are used. I juice and they love the pulp from my juicer. Someone else told me their grandmother made oatmeal and put it with the chicken feed and that helped to generate more eggs. Spring is coming and there will soon be early greens and dandelion leaves to pull and throw to the birds, they love that. A daily ritual for me when spring hits. |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9382 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9382 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2014 : 03:26:42 AM
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We have 24 hens and we get between 19-21 eggs a day. Now they just started laying so I am not sure if that is the reason or if it is because we keep a heat lamp in there with them. Dh did make sure to insulate the coop this year to keep these girls warm. Those our others did well. My dad was a chicken farmer and he lives with us now so if he says we need to do it we do. He raised 500 at a time and sold the eggs. Mostly in the summers because if they don't have light they won't lay as much. Of course I suppose in the warmer states maybe they do lay year round. Hope you don't have to get rid of them.
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2014 : 08:28:07 AM
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Chickens need 14-16 hours of light daily to lay eggs. I have a timer on a regular light bulb in my hen house, it is set to come on at dusk and stay lit for 6-8 hours depending on when the sun is setting here. My girls free range daily and I feed scratch grains/3-grain in the evening, all the kitchen scraps I have and when they are molting I feed half cat kibble and half grain. Right now I have 11 layers and am getting 4-6 eggs daily. I have 22 fall chicks that should start laying this spring. We charge $2.00 a dozen when we have eggs to sell. We are not quite breaking even, but I know what my girls eat and the piece of mind is worth it.
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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Wendy Flower
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Wendy
Gladstone
ND
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2014 : 2:41:08 PM
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Thanks BrightMeadow, We have barred rock hens, they are not on the list. I look forward to giving the gals more food scraps but my dog eats the meat scraps and my ewe who's nursing twins gets the vege scraps right now. I'm going to hang a calendar near the hen house to tally what we get and have been trying to get them more light. The coop is in a corner of a barn with a door that slides open for light but has chicken wire to keep the gals contained. When someone else was in charge the sliding door was not getting opened, probably to keep them warmer, but I find they do better with the light even if its cold, so unless we are having wind warnings I open it up.
Will keep working with it as long as I'm allowed. I'll get my way unless we have to be away on business too much and don't have someone here to tend them.
quote:
Originally posted by brightmeadow
Wendy,
I've heard that some breeds are more productive, and more seasonal, than others, what breed are you raising? Now that you have the coop and the yard, the most capital-intensive part of raising them is over. Maybe replace a few hens with a more productive breed this year? You can't fight genetics (I know this, I've been on every diet in the world)
Here is a web site with a chart that shows the expected number of eggs per year by breed:
http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/chicken-chart
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Brightmeadow
Wind Farmer & Seamstress. |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2014 : 7:26:51 PM
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Wendy chickens go through a resting period after they molt. This is normal and most will not lay much through the winter unless lights are used or they are young layers. They have to take a rest and build up their body for their next laying cycle this is normal. If you keep track of your eggs you will notice they will make more from the middle of Feb on through fall. The days get longer and warmer and they will produce more. But if you average it out for a whole year they do pretty well.My chickens have access to a 3/4 acre electronet area and have access to the goat pasture during the day so they can free range. We have many hawks and do have to watch out for them.
I do not use lights but I know some people do.
I too am using non gmo grain and it does cost more but the eggs are fabulous and store bought eggs will never be as good.They also get scraps and goodies when we have them.I absolutely love the taste of their eggs and have a few egg customers who will drive 30 minutes to buy them when I have extra.I charge $3 dollars a dozen for our eggs.One of my egg customers insist on giving me $4 a dozen because she says thats what she pays for Egglands at the store and she likes ours better....she is so sweet.
I hope with the longer days they will pick up for you. Out of my new 9 hens I am getting anywhere from 1 to 4 eggs a day even when it was below -15 degrees. I think thats pretty good considering the extreme weather we have been having. Anyway wanted to share how my chickens are doing. I do have quite a few old birds here that just hang out and are here until they pass......I am very attached to them.I really enjoy having chickens around and have many different breeds.I like looking out and seeing so many beautiful chickens.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on Feb 03 2014 7:35:05 PM |
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hoosiercountry
True Blue Farmgirl
572 Posts
karla
north port
fl
USA
572 Posts |
Posted - Feb 09 2014 : 3:58:22 PM
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Wendy, I had to laugh when I read your post, not at you but with you. My husband was telling some friends just last week that we get have $5.00 eggs. I mix cracked corn with layer, plus they get scraps, and treats. I know this may not help you where you live but we are in a county program that uses our chickens to test for West Nile. They come out every week and take blood samples from each chicken. In exchange they supply the food, and they will even supply the chickens if you want them to. If one dies they replace it.
I'm not sure if all states do this but here in FL our mosquito population does well here, esp. in summer. I have been in the program for 2 years now it might be something you can find out from the county and see if they have anything like it in your area. Karla |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2014 : 10:18:28 PM
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All the above suggestions are right on. Molting, shorter days, age, and breed all affect a hen's laying rate. Also, even within a breed, there is some inconsistency. For example, Barred Rocks from Breeder A may lay more eggs than Barred Rocks from Breeder B. So, there is a variance there as well.
In the winter, my hens get more scratch, corn, and black oil sunflower seeds than lay pellets. Now, they do get the occasional bag of layer pellets, too, but they seem to naturally gravitate towards the scratch and corn come fall and winter. I think it helps to fatten them up a bit and make the winter transition easier. I mean, come on, don't we all want some more fattening foods in the winter? lol. We also keep a scrap bowl in the kitchen and they get scraps every day. When they do start laying more, I increase the amount of layer pellets. If I do not, the eggshells get thinner (not getting enough calcium), and I may also supplement with some crushed oyster shell.
I keep on telling myself that commercial chicken food really hasn't been around that long and we've still managed to keep chickens with us throughout the ages. In the spring/summer, they are very happy to catch bugs and eat weeds which puts lots of good nutrition into those eggs as well as offsetting my feeding costs. I think everyone needs 3 or 4 hens! I can't imagine doing without them. I used to charge 3 dollars a dozen, and I think that's a mighty good deal for what you get. So much healthier and tastier than what's lining the grocery store shelves. Not to mention the fact that it's from happy hens. I don't mind paying a bit more for something that is better for me.
If it all came down to cost, they say that hens are most productive around 12-18 months. After that, you'd have some stew hens, and hopefully have another batch of 6 month old hens by that time to replace them. I don't do that, but if you're looking at the difference between reliable layers and pets... :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2014 : 7:49:09 PM
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I have 3 chickens right now that are layers and I get an egg a day from each of them. I have 2 smaller hens that are really not for laying but they also give us an egg a day unless they decide to sit on the bigger one's eggs. I feed them scratch and I give them every week some of their own eggs,raw. That gives them the calcium to have good egg shells. I do have a light on in the pole barn to extend the daylight for them during the winter. the light is what does it. They have to have 14-16 hours a day of light. I keep the doors shut in the winter and only open the doors when it warms up to 40. We have good windows to give them light but it gets dark way to early here in michigan in the winter. We have had some extremely cold night here in michigan, down to -20+. My little seramas are not suppose to live under40 degress but they are doing fine in the pole barn. In the summer they have a nice run plus the are allowed to roam free. I love my chickies and even if they didn't give us a really good egg production I would still have them they are so cute. I am ordering some more different kinds that are due to come in may. The egg production will get better in the spring so hopefully you can convince your hubby to wait a little longer. they really do help with bug control in the summer too. That is just a plus...
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett
Beverley with an extra E...
https://sites.google.com/site/bevsdoggies/
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2014 : 08:26:27 AM
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I've found a much more economical way to feed my hens...sprouted fodder. Do a Google search and look at the various set-ups folks have invented. The cost of a bag of sproutable barley is quite low compared to chicken feed and it lasts forever. The idea is to sprout the seed as you would for salad sprouts. It increases the volume and food value by 5-6 times and gives them an all-around balanced diet. They eat every part, the green tops, the roots, the seeds, everything. My hens have been eating it for about 2 weeks now and go crazy for something green when they see me coming. A couple have also started laying again. All you need is a few household items (recycled jars and plastic boxes that lettuce greens come in). My set-up cost $14 total, for a shelf unit from Wal-Mart.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2014 : 09:18:16 AM
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That would be a great way to add nutrition to the diet during the yucky winter months (and beyond). In the wild, it isn't as though birds eat solely dried seeds. They eat the living parts of plants, too. I'll have to look into sprouting more.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2899 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2899 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2014 : 07:36:30 AM
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Melina
I am very interested in the sprouting.
How do you do the daily rinsing? It seems like it would be quite the production for rinsing a large quantity of seeds.
Would you mind posting a picture of your set up?
Thanks!
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2014 : 07:40:45 AM
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I'll try with the pictures. Not real good at it.
The rinsing is easy because I have a large tub (used as a dog wash) in the area where the rack is placed. It takes about 5-10 minutes total to rinse, drain, and start the new batch of the day because they can drain in the tub.
I'll see if hubby can help with pix.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2014 : 08:36:40 AM
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Sorry, still don't have pictures of the operation. After another week, I'm even more impressed with this method. I do need to mention, the hens need supplemental oyster shell and access to grit. I'm planning to start our spring chicks on this method, too.
I am finding you need a good screen drain on your rinsing area. Any escaping seeds just continue to sprout and grow and could be a clogging problem.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1143 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1143 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2014 : 10:18:03 AM
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Melina, I bought a 50# sack of wheat, so I'll be starting sprouting today.
There is a rug stopper at IKEA that I bought in a roll and it looks like
clear plastic grid (but flexible). I am putting that in the bottom of my draining container over the holes to prevent any seed loss. I read that you do need to rinse a couple of times a day to prevent it from going sour. If you've ever made, or seen someone make catfish bait/attractant out of a bucket of milo...hoooooweeeee, that stinks to high heaven! I don't want anything even remotely smelling like that in my house. LOL
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
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teckelhut
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Sussie
Deschutes Junction
Oregon
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2014 : 4:56:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by brightmeadow
My neighbor says she is spending more in feed than she is earning in egg money. She charges $2.50 per dozen her hens are not always free-range, and she doesn't want to raise her price. So it sounds like it is common to lose money if you buy feed.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Brightmeadow
I sell my eggs for $4 a dozen. $2.50 a dozen seems low. My chickens pay for their own feed but that's about all. LOL
Sussie of Teckelhut Acres
Heritage Chickens
Meat and Show Rabbits
Certified Naturally Raised
Certified Humane
Deschutes Junction, OR
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NixKat
True Blue Farmgirl
288 Posts
Kathleen
CT
USA
288 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2014 : 12:16:42 PM
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It is good to hear what other chicken ladies are experiencing with their hens.
I have 10 chickens all nearly one year old. They have been laying consistently since they began in October. I keep a 45 watt light on in the hen house, and for the days when it gets below freezing I have a small ceramic heater to help fight the cold in their little house. I feed them layer feed, table-scraps, and cook oatmeal and add dried fruit in the afternoon... a bit of comfort food before bed. They are also permitted to roam the yard during the daytime. Since they don't like snow they don't go wander far from their door. I do leave their door open for them to get added sunlight into their house. (the heater is for night-time only). They produce about 5+ dozen eggs per week, I sell them for $3 doz. and also barter for hay. I found that as long as they have the option to go outdoors, they lay more eggs. The girls have also become pets, and since my husband figured they cost less than a dog it's a fair deal.
Best of luck with your girls.
Kathleen...... Farmgirl Sister #3447
http://hennypennyfarm.blogspot.com/
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2014 : 05:53:11 AM
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Have any of you looked into fodder? I'm going to start sprouting barley for my birds to cut down my feed costs :) Before the pastures are in full force...
I spent WAY too much over winter getting nothing out of the girls, so my dear hubby has expressed some concern, but the eggs are starting to come now! :)
~Hen 4316~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana.
Starting a family and raising up a small ranch using natural resources.
www.mydoterra.com/thurman |
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Barnyard Buddies: Feeding chickens too expensive. |
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Feeding chickens too expensive.
