is it really cost effective...

[Iceblink]

I think some people have overlooked a buying option, which is local farmers. The people I buy milk from raise chickens the same way I would, really truely free range, a healthy, mostly organic diet, and they charge about what it would cost for me to raise them myself.

There are also a lot of teenagers in the area that raise batches of chickens, maybe not quite the way I would, mostly conventional food, somewhat ranging, and sell them to raise some $ for themselves. I have bought from them just because I like to support kids working for themselves. Again, it is about what it would cost me to raise my own.

So, maybe yes, maybe no. Both places are more expensive than factory farmed chicken in a store, but less expensive than strictly organic chicken (from CA) sold at the health food store.

 

[me&thegals]

Excellent point, Iceblink. My friend tells me the Amish around here raise chickens free range and sell for, if I recall correctly, about $1-1.50/lb. That is definitely my raising price minus a LOT of poop, feeding, watering and butchering.

Wow--I said I wanted to raise mine again to try to get the cost down, but Iceblink just reminded me of this option. Maybe not.

 

[punkin]

I think some people have overlooked a buying option, which is local farmers. The people I buy milk from raise chickens the same way I would, really truely free range, a healthy, mostly organic diet, and they charge about what it would cost for me to raise them myself.

There are also a lot of teenagers in the area that raise batches of chickens, maybe not quite the way I would, mostly conventional food, somewhat ranging, and sell them to raise some $ for themselves. I have bought from them just because I like to support kids working for themselves. Again, it is about what it would cost me to raise my own.

So, maybe yes, maybe no. Both places are more expensive than factory farmed chicken in a store, but less expensive than strictly organic chicken (from CA) sold at the health food store.

That's a good point and I need to look into that in my area.

 

[Wifezilla]

If you're talking dollars I think the answer is no. Our local Safeway has thighs and legs on sale for .99 a lb quite often. They have split breast on for 1.39 a lb on a regular basis. Then there's the mess and the smell. We raised 40 meaties and had someone else slaughter them. They are delicious.

If you're talking flavor and nutrition? Home grown is way better.

Exactly.

Of course, I am "cheating" by having ducks. Since they are over $5 a pound ON SALE, I come out ahead big time....

If I could ever bring myself to butcher any of them....

(Curse them for being so darn cute!!!)

 

[me&thegals]

No kidding! Those cute beaks, chubby bellies and waddling way. I would probably not be able to eat them either.

 

[Wifezilla]

We keep telling ourselves "if we can't sell so-and-so, we will eat him/her". So far 2 have sold and I gave one away

Once the Welsh Harlequins go broody (they are just starting to sporadically lay now) next spring, we may have to reexamine the butchering thing...LOL

Surprisingly, hubby is going to be the real problem. He is such a softy.

 

[freemotion]

Like my goats. I would breed to a Boer and eat the boys (yum) but could never do it. I did as a kid, but it wasn't my choice, decision, or job. The meat was delicious, though!

 

[FarmerChick]

Punkin is right.

treat is as a business. put every cost and your time cost in this journal. then you know if it is worth it. in the end you have debt or credit and know exact price per lb.

but if you hate raising birds (as I do, I hate birds in general) then it isn't worth it to you. Can you butcher yourself? if you hate this, then again another strike against you.

so if you like birds, can process yourself and KNOW with a true business journal that your time is worth this work...then do it. Only way to know is to truly experiment with feed and costs and time. (And if you like birds and can butcher them)

if not, look local to buy.

I hve 200 layers and Tony processes some when I need chickens in the freezer. I have done it but dont' want to...so if he didn't....honestly I wouldn't be doing it myself unless thru total need.


good advice on the board

 

[lorihadams]

Good advice everybody.... we'll try it this go round and see what happens. We will be processing ourselves, no big deal, we process all our own turkey and deer, geese and ducks that we kill anyway.

I don't know of anyone around here that raises birds....we have a couple of local farms but it is produce from what I know. I have to drive an hour+ to get to a farmer's market so that is not really an option for me. I need to check around though and see if I can find someone local and compare the results.

It will be interesting, that's for sure!

 

[FarmerChick]

LOL forgot you guys hunt like us

so if all that mess is behind you...then tackle it like a business

from day 1 and 1 cost...write it all down
then you know cost and price per lb you achieved

trial and error and you get fresh great meat!! Even if the cost was "a tad higher than the grocery when the put chicken on sale cheap"---at least the price diff. would be fresh, no hormone meat for your family.

then you can make the true decision to continue.