Chicken Math

[Juggs]

So, over the last two years I've really gotten into chickens. I have a our 100 or so plus 3 guineas, 2 Turkeys and 5 breeder meat rabbits...oh and 22 ducks.

I can't be the only one here who has fallen for this chicken math shit.

They are loud, needy...seems like there is always somebody sick or hurt. You have to battle bitter cold and suffocating heat and everything in between....still wouldn't change it. They are such a joy. My turkeys are my babies. I hand raised them and they are obsessed with me.


That's about all. I guess I don't say much around here, so I figured I would make a lil post about my favorite pass time.

 

[Loyal]

So, over the last two years I've really gotten into chickens. I have a our 100 or so plus 3 guineas, 2 Turkeys and 5 breeder meat rabbits...oh and 22 ducks.

I can't be the only one here who has fallen for this chicken math shit.

They are loud, needy...seems like there is always somebody sick or hurt. You have to battle bitter cold and suffocating heat and everything in between....still wouldn't change it. They are such a joy. My turkeys are my babies. I hand raised them and they are obsessed with me.


That's about all. I guess I don't say much around here, so I figured I would make a lil post about my favorite pass time.

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"What about me, Dad?" ~ Shithead

 

[Loyal]

Dang man, sounds like you have an egg laying gold mine!

 

[Juggs]

Dang man, sounds like you have an egg laying gold mine!

We make our money on 2 breeds specifically. I've been working on my Brahmas the most. I have rare colors that no one around me has. And Bielefelders...I purchased high quality from a breeder in Kansas and have been working to make everything better and better. Have a few friends who are going to have their kids show my birds in the 4H. That's exciting. I invested HEAVILY in these breeds. Especially my brahmas. It's taken 2 years to FINALLY see an income past the cost of just having them....now, it's nice and allowing for upgrades to equipment. We got ourselves a plucker! Hahaha

But the rabbits ....we bought these to breed and eat....no intention to sell any....we haven't eaten a single rabbit. We have sold every single bunny we have 6 weeks after they are born. It's crazy the amount of people who want meat rabbits. We usually sell 2 does and a buck in a trio. Now, we have fallen in love with them as an animal and I'm not sure I could process one out now.

I keep my egg prices steady year round. I don't want to gouge people. I charge $3/dz for chicken. $5 for a dz duck and $3 for an 18 pack of bantam. I see people posting their eggs on fb for $10/dz. They will lose their sales to Walmart once the prices go down. I've been lucky enough to now have enough steady customers that we barely get our own. We usually just keep the double yolkers.

I'm rambling. I smoked a little too much this morning. Hope all is well.....Winston is still kickin', he has good days and bad days....mostly just lay around days. But he has seemed much spunkier here this last month or so.

 

[Loyal]

We make our money on 2 breeds specifically. I've been working on my Brahmas the most. I have rare colors that no one around me has. And Bielefelders...I purchased high quality from a breeder in Kansas and have been working to make everything better and better. Have a few friends who are going to have their kids show my birds in the 4H. That's exciting. I invested HEAVILY in these breeds. Especially my brahmas. It's taken 2 years to FINALLY see an income past the cost of just having them....now, it's nice and allowing for upgrades to equipment. We got ourselves a plucker! Hahaha

But the rabbits ....we bought these to breed and eat....no intention to sell any....we haven't eaten a single rabbit. We have sold every single bunny we have 6 weeks after they are born. It's crazy the amount of people who want meat rabbits. We usually sell 2 does and a buck in a trio. Now, we have fallen in love with them as an animal and I'm not sure I could process one out now.

I keep my egg prices steady year round. I don't want to gouge people. I charge $3/dz for chicken. $5 for a dz duck and $3 for an 18 pack of bantam. I see people posting their eggs on fb for $10/dz. They will lose their sales to Walmart once the prices go down. I've been lucky enough to now have enough steady customers that we barely get our own. We usually just keep the double yolkers.

I'm rambling. I smoked a little too much this morning. Hope all is well.....Winston is still kickin', he has good days and bad days....mostly just lay around days. But he has seemed much spunkier here this last month or so.

I am pretty sure I couldn't kill the bunnies either. It's too bad I don't live closer to you because we would be a good egg customer!

 

[Corbin]

We make our money on 2 breeds specifically. I've been working on my Brahmas the most. I have rare colors that no one around me has. And Bielefelders...I purchased high quality from a breeder in Kansas and have been working to make everything better and better. Have a few friends who are going to have their kids show my birds in the 4H. That's exciting. I invested HEAVILY in these breeds. Especially my brahmas. It's taken 2 years to FINALLY see an income past the cost of just having them....now, it's nice and allowing for upgrades to equipment. We got ourselves a plucker! Hahaha

But the rabbits ....we bought these to breed and eat....no intention to sell any....we haven't eaten a single rabbit. We have sold every single bunny we have 6 weeks after they are born. It's crazy the amount of people who want meat rabbits. We usually sell 2 does and a buck in a trio. Now, we have fallen in love with them as an animal and I'm not sure I could process one out now.

I keep my egg prices steady year round. I don't want to gouge people. I charge $3/dz for chicken. $5 for a dz duck and $3 for an 18 pack of bantam. I see people posting their eggs on fb for $10/dz. They will lose their sales to Walmart once the prices go down. I've been lucky enough to now have enough steady customers that we barely get our own. We usually just keep the double yolkers.

I'm rambling. I smoked a little too much this morning. Hope all is well.....Winston is still kickin', he has good days and bad days....mostly just lay around days. But he has seemed much spunkier here this last month or so.

Just got back from South America and have avoided all this egg BS until yesterday. Went to Sam's and it was f'n 40 dollars for a box of eggs!

Now I get what's going on! lol Interested in your Bulls as I am in the process of buying 8 acres of alfalfa piece of land and thinking of raising a few bulls, build a house, and make a chicken coup. If you knew me back in the day you'd be shocked I'd consider such a thing, I don't know what's gotten into me but feel I need to get away from people and be by myself. Learning a shit ton as I've never looked up or absorbed any of this information in my life (always avoided ag classes) which I regret now. Thanks for posting, at the very least if gives me ideas! lol

 

[Juggs]

Just got back from South America and have avoided all this egg BS until yesterday. Went to Sam's and it was f'n 40 dollars for a box of eggs!

Now I get what's going on! lol Interested in your Bulls as I am in the process of buying 8 acres of alfalfa piece of land and thinking of raising a few bulls, build a house, and make a chicken coup. If you knew me back in the day you'd be shocked I'd consider such a thing, I don't know what's gotten into me but feel I need to get away from people and be by myself. Learning a shit ton as I've never looked up or absorbed any of this information in my life (always avoided ag classes) which I regret now. Thanks for posting, at the very least if gives me ideas! lol

Haha I laughed....only because my brahmas are chickens. An Asianic breed. The largest breed of chicken....not height, (Ingio Gigante has that crown) but in mass. The largest chicken in the world happens to be a Brahma in Austria I believe is where it's at.

 

[Juggs]

This all started when my wife said she wanted chickens. I told her absolutely not. Then I was beat down to accept NO MORE THAN 10. And here we are. Haha

 

[Corbin]

Haha I laughed....only because my brahmas are chickens. An Asianic breed. The largest breed of chicken....not height, (Ingio Gigante has that crown) but in mass. The largest chicken in the world happens to be a Brahma in Austria I believe is where it's at.

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Annnnnd there is a perfect example I don't know shit! lol Are those those one chickens even the meat is black?

 

[Juggs]

Annnnnd there is a perfect example I don't know shit! lol Are those those one chickens even the meat is black?

Those are Ayam Cemani.

Skin, beak, comb&wattles, meat, bones and organs are all black. I had some but moved on. They are expensive...and if you want to improve to the point of REAL money....they can't have any mulberrying of certain features. Can't have a speck of white outside of toenails. People kill hundreds of chicks to keep one or two on their way to that. I'm not about that life. We only kill what we need to eat. Unless someone is a dick.

With my brahmas, as I work out any kinks, I can simply sell the rest as per quality.


I wish I had more property. Brahma Bulls are amazing. I have a buddy with several head of them. We are considering doing meat and dairy goats....but again, I think we would end up thinking they were too cute to process out.

 

[Corbin]

Those are Ayam Cemani.

Skin, beak, comb&wattles, meat, bones and organs are all black. I had some but moved on. They are expensive...and if you want to improve to the point of REAL money....they can't have any mulberrying of certain features. Can't have a speck of white outside of toenails. People kill hundreds of chicks to keep one or two on their way to that. I'm not about that life. We only kill what we need to eat. Unless someone is a dick.

With my brahmas, as I work out any kinks, I can simply sell the rest as per quality.


I wish I had more property. Brahma Bulls are amazing. I have a buddy with several head of them. We are considering doing meat and dairy goats....but again, I think we would end up thinking they were too cute to process out.

Yeah f that, not. My thing. Only looking for big eggs and good meat of needed.
I might eventually have to order some chicks from you!! I need to investigate a good coop that is coyote proof, there is alot down here near the rio.

Haha. I’ve never thought of getting close to an animal like that but i can’t say i would never happen. Just pretender he shits in the middle of your living room everyday!

 

[Juggs]

Yeah f that, not. My thing. Only looking for big eggs and good meat of needed.
I might eventually have to order some chicks from you!! I need to investigate a good coop that is coyote proof, there is alot down here near the rio.

Haha. I’ve never thought of getting close to an animal like that but i can’t say i would never happen. Just pretender he shits in the middle of your living room everyday!

Maaaan I buy the biggest dog crate I can find. Then I cover it with a shell of plywood. Slope the roof, set it on 4x4 post to get it off the ground a bit. And it's pretty much everything proof. I also wrap it in a tarp to prevent any leaks from getting to the birds in storms. Cheap-ish and great for protecting.

 

[Corbin]

Maaaan I buy the biggest dog crate I can find. Then I cover it with a shell of plywood. Slope the roof, set it on 4x4 post to get it off the ground a bit. And it's pretty much everything proof. I also wrap it in a tarp to prevent any leaks from getting to the birds in storms. Cheap-ish and great for protecting.

Hell of an idea right there!