mid February chickens are laying

[swampratt]

I got some chickens from tractor supply right about February 21 and they have been laying for a week now.
Small eggs until today .. one of them white birds laid a huge egg one that the carton lid will not close on.
not even 5 months old yet.. My reds i got waited until 5.5 months old.

The meat birds I fed were 7 and 8lb at 8 weeks old. I let some get 12 weeks and they did not get any bigger just got tougher.
And crapped much more.

 

[Old Timer]

We picked up 14 about the same time, Rode island reds. We have picked up 22
small eggs so far, they started about June 26.

If you divide the cost by the eggs, I think they are down to about $30 per egg?
Of course that includes the chicken house they are in, feed, etc.

One turned out to be a roster, so he is headed to the cooking pot.
He has not learned to crow at the crack of dawn, so he's safe so far.

 

[swampratt]

I kept track of the food and a 50lb bag will feed 7 hens for 1 month.
I have 4 laying currently and 3 that should start any time. cheaper so far than buying store eggs.

Once the coop and chickens are paid for anyway.

 

[J.T.]

Don't add ducks! Bastards increase your feed bill by double.

 

[dennishoddy]

Don't add ducks! Bastards increase your feed bill by double.

And they don't taste as good in Crisco.

 

[J.T.]

No doubt, I've never been happier to give birds away. 100 lbs a week for a mixed bag of 20.