I don't think any of us do it for the economies of cheap eggs. If we think that, we are deluding ourselves. We do it for a hobby, because we value excellent quality of the eggs and love the antics of the chickens and the many happy hours we spend looking after them. it's a small price to pay for a fastinating hobby.
Our three pigs have just gone off to the butcher this week and if I totalled up just how much they've cost to raise in terms of the cost per joint or sausage I think I might have myselF committed as the total off the top of my head for three pigs stands at around £1500 at least. With the cost of building the run and buying housing, their purchase, feed, transport from the breeder and to the slaughterhouse and back from the butcher, slaughter cost, butchers cost, cost of tagging and all the bureaucracy, two new freezers etc. Still I expect it will be the best pork we every tasted and we gave them a good life while they were with us. One they might not have had otherwise. They were petted, scratched and pampered everyday and we will have lots of lovely memories so it was well worth it and as good as a holiday, and in many ways better.
HF