m12 shakes Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hey all... I've been looking to get some hens for a few months now, and I'm now in a position to do so (moved out of student halls into a nice house) I've just got a few questions to ask: How much does it cost to keep 2-3 hens per month? (excl eglu and initial outlay) How hard are they to maintain? and... Have you guys got any tips for a newcomer? Thanks and kind regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 I would say, layers pellets/ mash 20kg bag is between £7 -£10. That should last 3 hens 6 - 8 weeks. It's the treats that break the bank I don't think you'll ever save huge amounts of money but the eggs are amazing and you'll have fantastic fun with the chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Ive got 8 hens ( started with 3 three years ago ) The food has gone up in price but so has the egg prices in the shops.I dont really buy them treats as they eat our left over ie veg mash potato pasta ect. I do buy a 20kg of corn and that last me months and months.When l had 3 hen l was buying food every couple of months.I shop around you can save money l used to shop in pets at home no more since there prices went up.Some little farm shops sell chicken food.I spend alot of time watching my hens and ducks plus they are cheaper to keep then a cat or dog but with a chook you get somthing back its a win win situation l cant think of a time now that l wont have my lovely chooks l just love them so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m12 shakes Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks for the replies! Well I'd like them as pets as well to be honest...eggs are just a plus They seem quite cheap to maintain after the initial outlay which is great news! Furthermore, are ex-battery farm hens harder to look after then ones you'd normally buy? Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Ive got 2 ex battery hens on top of my 6 others they have not been harder just had to make a few ajustments really as they are a bit slower at first.But with in a few weeks you and tem would have forgotten all about that.They will have lovely feathers and see the sun somthing they can only dream of in those blo.dy cages.Plus there £1.00 to buy so every one wins Ill have to try and get some pics on here and show just how much they have changed since just before christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi there, The monthly keep of hens is not very expensive at all, we buy a 20KG bag for 4 hens and this lasts well over a month in two feeders. They get through a bag of bedding every month, but this is only between £8-10. Like Moochoo said, it's the treats they expect that get expensive!! Another thing to bear in mind is treatment if any of them get poorly....we have ended up with massive outlays on several occassions which we didn't initiially budget for, but then i think we have just been unlucky. I would highly recommend ex-batts, it is so rewarding seeing them improve from day to day, month to month. I have had mine for 9 months, you would never know they used to be ex-batts and they have such lovely little personalities. It is quite upsetting at first when you see them in a sorry state, but a fantastic feeling knowing you have saved them from the horrible life they led before!! Good luck!! You'll love chicken keeping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
