[vichope74]

Hello, I am looking to get 3 chickens for eggs mainly.  My husband is concerned about how much it will cost to feed them.  I know I can supplement their feed with scraps etc, but can anyone give me a rough estimate of monthly cost of layers pellets??  Thanks!

[redmolly]

Hi - here in South Wales, I pay £7 - £8  for a sack of organic layers pellets. My 4 girls usually take about 8 weeks (or more) to get through them. They do free range too though. Hope that helps! 

[Casey76]

Scraps aren't a supplement to feed... they should be classed as a treat and not more than 5-10% of the daily food allowance.

Recommended feeding= ca. 125g per chicken per day x 3 = 375g per day = 11.25kg per month.  I don't know the going rate of layers in the UK, but I can get 50kg for 19€ from the feed mill.

If you have 3 chooks, this works out to be 15c per day.

[alibean]

When i first got 8 chickens (ex-batts) they ate just under a bag of pellets a month (8 pounds-ish + scraps)  However , I got approx 3 dozen eggs per week (3 x £2.50 a dozen for free range eggs up Sainsbury's = £7'50's worth)

I now have 6 ladies left and only get about 10 eggs per week, (they are roughly 2 1/2 to 3 years old) but this would cost me about £2 at the supermarket.  A bag of pellets now costs £9 round my way but lasts 6 weeks so they are still paying for themselves.

No doubt the eggs will tail off over time but my advice would be not to hesitate - they will pay their keep in not just eggs but personalities too!

[chickenlady]

20kg of layers pellets now costs me £5.75 and im currently getting through 1 bag a week!  :blink: but once all the pullets and ducks start laying (probably not till spring now) they will more than pay for themselves as i am having to limit neighbours to half a dozen each at the mo ! 

Debbie

[Bigblacktaximan]

Dont forget its not just the cost of feedstuffs,

the initial outlay for a coop & run
there's nest box material whatever you choose to use,  possibly bedding material for the coop floor,  flooring for the run maybe ?

And if you go the way of so many on here (and thats not a critiscism) a ready stock of supplements and medications, anti red mite treatments, disinfectants etc etc etc

And best of all,       before not to long,   3 Will NEVER be enough, 

[redmolly]

No - 3 will never be enough.....I had 4 over 6 months ago......I errrrr, now have 8 - had to rehome 2 cocks!!
They are very addictive and ours do pay for themselves. The 4 big girls lay every day!! In work, everyone wants eggs....we sell quite a lot at £1 per half a dozen....family get free and we barter with friends!! They buy their own feed every time! Twice over. Plus we have the best eggs I've ever eaten and as for entertainment.....you can't beat it!! 

[vichope74]

Thanks everyone, good advice from you all.  I have another question though.  If we are planning on moving house in the next 6 months am I being unreasonable to get chickens now??  What I mean is do they 'travel' well or would they be traumatised by a move???  Am really desparate to get them though.

[madcat]

Unless you are a good practised mover (if you will forgive the turn of phrase!  ) or you know the house you are going to and it isn't far ....  Leave it till you get there!  Life is too short to volunteer for that sort of stress  ...

Moving 3 placid cats when the houses overlapped was bad enough, how people move livestock (with coups and feeders and .......etc etc) on the one day with completion at midday   - my brain just hurts.  

Plus, if this forum is to be believed - it wont just be 3 you are moving  

[redmolly]

Not to mention.....the chooks will stress!! They like their own surroundings that they are familiar with...next thing you know.....coughs, sneezes, bubbly eyes etc and you will spend your time split between this forum and at the vets!!! I'd wait for sure!! 

[lisa80]

hi , cost wise we worked out that £20 a month covers everything including shvings for coop floor etc(we have 15 birds)to set up we got a wooden wendy house from freecycle and some aris fencing (o.h aquired!)diatom £9 lasts for ages jeyes fluid to clean£9.i would suggest spending the time until you move collecting bits to get you started then setting up after you have moved.If you can do it cheaply its really satisfying to know you havent spent a fortune

[Sassy]

Quite apart from the eggs and entertainment they will give you there is also the satisfaction of knowing you are giving your chooks a good life and that you have control over any drugs, vaccinations that they have.

[vichope74]

Yeah, I know you're right.  Will keep on with my research so that we are ready to go the minute we have moved!

[joyfull]

don't worry the six months will fly by and by which time the bad weather will have passed and you won't slip over like the rest of us when we have to go out in the pouring rain, sleet and snow on these dark mornings in our jimjams and coats