Solitary chicken - need advice

[kaylis1980]

my husband AGREED to keeping chickens yesterday!!! im amazed

 

anyway, as he is a practical kind of bloke, he wants me to find out EXACTLY how much it costs to "run" chickens lol.

 

were talking a monthly figure pretty much plus the things like mite powder and wormers and how long each pack lasts and how often (dont know why i cant find that info)

 

so hit me with it

[katieandnick]

Errrm, well.

 

Each chicken will "allegedly" eat 120g of pellets per day. I say allegedly because our girls eat loads more than that, but I think that's because they're greedy so and so's.

 

Average price for a sack of layers pellets is about seven pounds - and that's 20kg. So if you were to keep three chickens, it'd last you a nominal 56 or so days.

 

You also have to factor in things like replacement bedding (straw, shavings, Hemcore). We get a fairly large bag of straw for a couple of pounds and it lasts us two months (and we have seven girls at the mo), shavings about the same. Hemcore is about seven pounds for a big bale, and depending on how often you change the flooring (we do it every month or so), it could last you a couple of months as well.

 

Then there's odd things like red mite powder (about ten pounds per tub - lasts three months or so but we sprinkle it on everything as it smells nice!), treats (entirely up to you!). We buy a 20kg sack of mixed corn for eight pounds or so and it lasts a couple of months.

 

So, in terms of running costs per month, I would say for three chickens it'd be less than a tenner. And when you consider the price of free range eggs in the shops these days, it's a no-brainer

[WitchHazel]

less than a divorce.

[Christian]

less than a divorce.

 

 

 

There you have it! Saves lots of working out prices, just quote WitchHazel!

 

I reckon on about a tenner a month too.

 

(apart from the initial outlay, ordering things recommended in the Nesting box section, having to a get a cleaner in as you are too busy chook watching/forumming to do homework, buying chicken related things etc)

[TAJ]

I would agree at the tops £10 a month. I am probably a bit meaner on treats as a 1kg bag of mixed corn lasts me well over a month - just a handful 2-3 times a week. For 3 hens a 20kg sack lasts me about 2 months, which is about £4 a month. If they are on grass you just need something to line the nest box - a giant sack of auboise/hemcore costs about £8 and would last over a year if just being used in the nest box, obviously you use more if in the run.

 

As to the other bits - wormer, grit, mite powder, poultry spice, etc. - initially a cost, but all last for ages - with the wormer it will run out of date (about 3 yrs) before you would use it all).

 

Tracy

[Gallina]

The feeding expenses are low, even with the rising price of grain (which is also passed on to the customer who buys eggs).

 

If you are aiming to get a good return on your investment (which any sane person would be, but alas we cannot all be sane where hens are concerned) the hybrids don't eat much and produce a lot of eggs of a decent size. Pure-breeds are the opposite: they eat a lot and produce little.

 

What is bankrupting me, however, is not the extra food for my pure-breeds, but constantly craving Cubes, extensions, better slabs to put around the runs, better run covers, etc. It is quite easy to get addicted and spend too much, but by that stage you won't care any more.

[Abbey Road Girl]

It's not just what you pay for but what you don't pay for that counts.

 

I plan to have fewer meat-based meals and more omlets, etc.

[frenchlayer]

I had to laugh, definately the cost of the coops and improved runs and things is what costs the money. My OH says are egg costs are currently £20 per egg which is very expensive. But just not the point. Thats because we have only had them a week and are currently already building a better improved walk in run and a portable one to move around the garden.

 

You will love them, he will too, they are definately addictive. My OH asked me what I wanted for my birthday this month, and I said the hens, because I was feeling guilty about the amount we had spent, and he said, no that's not a proper present because we all like them and benefit from them. So he is buying me a new camera so I can take some pictures of them.

 

Go for it, the excitement will be great, and once you have them they are lovely whatever breed you get.

Julie

[superjules]

In terms of layers mash/pellets they cost about £1 each per month to keep. I also use a £8 bale of aubiose every 2 months or so and disinfectants, medicines and supplements is probably works out at another £3 per month. I have 8 chooks so altogether they probably cost £15 per month to keep but they have treats on top of that amount, although they don't strictly need them, but I like them to have them!!

 

Once you have housing and a run sorted, the running costs are totally outweighed by the benefits - eggs, compost, weed clearing, comedy chicken moments, - they really are great value indeed.

[FORENSICA]

This is what I calculated for my husband when he had doubts about us having the girls.

Chicken food for 3 hens should last aprox. 6 weeks = £10/6 weeks

Cost of food - £10 / 6weeks = £1.7/week = £87/year

 

The cheapest organic free range (6 pack) eggs cost at Tesco £1.75

Cost of eggs at Tesco - £1.75 / 6eggs= £0.30/egg

 

No. of eggs to cover food costs per week - £1.7 / £0.30= 5.7 eggs

 

The prediction is that each hen should lay about 300 eggs/year (in the first year) = 900 eggs/3 hens/year.

Egg produce estimate - 900 eggs / 52weeks = 17 eggs/week

 

900 eggs x £0.30 = £270 of eggs/year

 

 

£270 - £87 (food cost) - £40 (cost of hens)= £143 (plus money for keeping chickens)

 

 

£143 / £0.30= 476 eggs for free

 

CONCLUSION

I need the 3 hens to lay at least 5.7eggs a week to cover their food cost of £1.7 a week. The estimate for them to lay is about 17 eggs a week (in their first year). This should give me + £143, when compared to a Tesco price for an egg.

 

To be honest, I have been feeding them from one Omlet organic feed for over 7 weeks now, and still have some left. And take away £8 for every 2-3 months for aubiose and that is it

[BeckyBoo]

Blimey! That's some calculation! We have 13 hens, sell most of the eggs that we don't use, (plus some other egg related stuff that I make and sell) and the chooks are basically now paying for themselves. They'll never cover the cost of the cube but they pay for their own food and bedding. Plus they give us loads of giggles - apart from Speckle who is being a grumpy pain in the.....as she has gone broody AGAIN

But you'll love them, and so will your OH

 

Mrs B

[cluckbok]

They will be even cheaper if you shred all your unwanted correspondence, post, bills etc and use it in the nesting box like we do. We don't buy straw, only layers pellets, corn and hemcore. Same costs as above. I would definately go for it, you'll wish you had done sooner just like us.

[Ash]

Cost of food and bedding a month - £10

 

Cost of buying shop eggs - minus £12 (monthly)

 

Cost of watching chickens on mad ones in the garden - Priceless

 

For everything else theres 'generic card'

[Phosphorus]

having to a get a cleaner in as you are too busy chook watching/forumming to do homework, buying chicken related things etc)

 

Now I understand why my house is even more of a mess than it was before (and it was pretty bad then

[kaylis1980]

thankyou so much everyone!! now i just need to figure out where local i can buy these things like the aubilose (sp?) im pretty sure marriages sell most things, but have been told they are quite expensive? i have also been emailing pet sitters today to find out how much that would cost and have some to the conclusion while its not horrific - it certainly isnt wonderful. 15.50 for one hour visit!

[BeckyBoo]

Pet sitters? Do you have neighbours? Trust me, you won't need pet sitters. The promise of free range eggs (keep what you collect or similar) is enough of an incentive. Plus, provided you can ensure they will get enough water and food, they can be left for a couple of days anyway.

 

Mrs B

[kaylis1980]

i do have neighbours, but only one really that i "know", and i think they would look after the chooks but i think they would also forget

 

i know they can be left a fe days but im going away for a fortnight!!

[Egluntyne]

Whereabouts are you located....roughly?

[Phosphorus]

thankyou so much everyone!! now i just need to figure out where local i can buy these things like the aubilose (sp?)

 

Staines have been getting aubiose in for me as well. Whilst it is a bit priced £9 or so a bale, I couldn't be bothered to find anywhere else as it is so near to me. It will be just down the road from you - just on the Stock Road, as you come to the roundabout where Stock Brook Manor turn off is on right (heading to Queens Park), straight on is heading in to Billericay and left heading down to Norsey Woods (I think Potash Road). As you come on the road from Stock heading to Billericay you have on your right an In sign just before you get to this roundabout and also I think the signs for the Essex Country Show at the moment - it is the In sign turning you want. Doesn't really look like a shop - more like a barn

[kaylis1980]

Whereabouts are you located....roughly?

 

roughly... galleywood, chelmsford, essex

[kaylis1980]

thankyou so much everyone!! now i just need to figure out where local i can buy these things like the aubilose (sp?)

 

Staines have been getting aubiose in for me as well. Whilst it is a bit priced £9 or so a bale, I couldn't be bothered to find anywhere else as it is so near to me. It will be just down the road from you - just on the Stock Road, as you come to the roundabout where Stock Brook Manor turn off is on right (heading to Queens Park), straight on is heading in to Billericay and left heading down to Norsey Woods (I think Potash Road). As you come on the road from Stock heading to Billericay you have on your right an In sign just before you get to this roundabout and also I think the signs for the Essex Country Show at the moment - it is the In sign turning you want. Doesn't really look like a shop - more like a barn

 

i think i could find that- how big is the bale they sell? would it fit in my boot lol (mondeo)

[Egluntyne]

It would fit in a Mondeo boot.

[cluckbok]

Sorry if I missed a point from earlier, but do you not have any nice trustworthy neighbours or friends who could chicken sit. That would cut cost again. I would do it for you if we were closer Have you checked on the list of chicken sitters on this forum? There may be someone near to where you live? I think they are well worth it. If you got a dog that would be even more costly I'd say. Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.

[kaylis1980]

glad to hear it will fit in the boot, when i picture bale i think those enormo things sitting in fields

 

cluckbok- i do have nice trustworthy neighbours, but he is also extremely forgetful- id worry that he would forget them i did check the chicken sitters but unfortunatly as part of my hubbys agreement to get the chickens didnt include an eglu or cube (waste of money but ill work on that when i have the girls ) so their home wont be portable and so would be more difficult to ask anyone, or else i would have asked my parents- but they live across town and my dad is the only driver and not very eager to please shall we say

[kaylis1980]

i just got a email from jean gill from BHWT offering me 6 hens on the 24th may!!!! its a bit sooner than i thought it would be since ive only been on the list for 10 days! so now i just have to go pick up the hen house which is the other side of essex, which means i have to tell my hubby its times like this i wish i drove!