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Baby chicks cost $6 at a supply store, but I can get a rotisserie for $5? What is the real cost of having chickens? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 3 weeks ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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I do not understand the mathematics behind the dilemma. I'm assuming only the firts chicks cost money, because down the line they will breed.
But feeding them, housing them - vitamins and doctoring costs a lot of money.

So anyone with couple or more chickens - how much does it cost to have them on the table? And realistically how many eggs do you get?

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[–] [S] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 child)

So it all comes down to what the chicken's eat.
I'm assuming with mealworms added to corn / legumes / other seeds should be a balanced diet. And if they are relatively free they can go hunting too.
Do meat chickens still lay eggs, just not as many?

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  • [–] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 child)

    "Chicken feed" is enough, but whether you want them for eggs or meat, protein increase yield and quality.

    If they're free range, they'll find protein on their own.

    There's a shit ton of different breeds, but you have to research on your own to find the right ones for your climate, living conditions, and desired outcomes.

    If you're rural and get old-school chickens, they're going to keep laying eggs in trees even if you build a coop, especially once they quickly realize you keep stealing eggs from the coop. But also they're going to be at most half the size of the chickens you buy in a grocery store for $5

    Like, if cost is your main factor, $5 is worth your time cooking a whole chicken, let alone killing and slaughtering one.

    Like, what's even you're goal here?

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 weeks ago

    I was curious. Maybe down the line I will have some - but with all these answers I got really interesting info.
    It is more like, when I go to tractor supply co and they have those adorable chicks - you start to wonder. Or at least I do :D

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