We built our coop from leftover wood and bought the cheapest chicken fence. It cost a bit more a few years later to replace the top fencing, because we had to get heavier duty fence due to the possums climbing on top and falling in. Then they'd kill a bunch of our hens and steal the eggs. Smh...in all I think it cost use maybe $400 over several years. It can be done for very little money if people don't have a lot of up front money. Also, we got a rooster for free from a neighbor and several hens from a friend who needed to down size her own coop. Ask around, lots of people who will share in hard times. Or barter.
Right. I would rather recycle wood than spend 1500 for 4 chickens. Wth. We got a shed for free converted 4x16 for coop, built 26x12 run paid about 150 for supplies including automatic for that was only 60.
We live in the middle of the burbs. Country ordinance states no more than 8 hens only. Because our neighbors are busybodies, we have them in a “covert” setup. Homemade coop in the back of the garage with a ramp connected to a hole I cut and sealed in the wall. This leads to the run that is built into and under our deck. All in all we have invested about $1500ish into them with an ongoing cost of about $35-50 a month for feed. Bedding is through chip drop. Arborist wood chips eliminate odors. Best part, we get an average of 3 dozen eggs a week currently. Love our girls😁
You can use leaves as bedding, their free. To save money we get a bag of kayer feed and a bag of wheat from a local supplier, we ferment some wheat and sprout some. Two cups layer two cups feement(doubles) two cuos sprouts turns into 8 to 10 cups of feed. So to feed 12 birds a month, about $30
I always use mostly repurposed materials for projects like this. These folks spent over 8X what I did to set up my most recent girls, so clearly there is a wide range RE your investment. Whatever works for you. Best of all: delicious fresh eggs; chickens are fun and funny; they have unique personalities. I would have chickens in my life even if they didn't provide yummy food.
I'm planning on raising chickens for a summer project/program from a class I'm taking. Luckily, we used to have chickens and still have the old coop and feed/watering systems.
Great breakdown! Now you can build a slightly larger coop and add 10+ birds. You'll find that after the first winter, the egg production will drop significantly during short days each winter. With 13 birds, our lowest day was 1 egg in early January (second year). We just added 18 girls to our collection.;
My 8 month old barred Plymouth Rock Chickens, the coop and run I built, and all the stuff needed. I've probably 1500 bucks in every up til this point. Unless I free range or grow ur own food the eggs will never balance out the cost. But the fact of having fresh organic eggs each day and the joy and satisfaction of watching the chickies go about their day. It's well worth the independence IMO.
You don't 'need' an automatic door, that is an extravagance. The small flat pack coops are okay as starters, but a shed conversion is likely where you will end up. Fencing and runs are expensive, but it can grow over time.
On our homestead we just got chickens this year! A young flock of 10 that we bought and 6 layers free from a neighbor. We used old scraps for building coops and chicken tractors, in total over the past 4 months of having them we've spent about $250ish. You can get it down to dang near free if you take advantage of your resources. This cost would've been less but we bought the expensive feed the first couple of months.
I can have a chicken coop as fancy as that for cheaper from; scrap wood(free) a drill screws and a machete(for cutting sticks down for t-post😂😂😂 I personally don’t have a chicken coop like that but it could definitely work for a few bucks instead of spending 1500$ for like 5 chickens😂
I have owned chickens for around 5 years now. My coop literally costed me under $300 to build. We had all the wood laying around, the automatic door was around 200 and then for the waterer anf feeder it was around $100. The fencing we got for free. Prefab coops dont give enough room for your chickens, so i found it easier to build big the first time. I spend maybe $40 every 2 months on mine as i give them scrap vegtables and fruits this saves on food cost. When you start you realize you dont need a ton to have chickens. And that they only lay for a few years before only laying one egg a week.
My chickens were free because I hatched some of my grandmas eggs 😂 and I used an old garden fence to make their roaming area 🤷♀️ I ran to tractor supply and got a (not supper fancy) food dispenser, and a water dispenser. I used my grandmas old coop to put them in at night. Not including the things I recycled, the only thing I had to pay for was the food and water dispensers that costed around $30, and I got a HUGE bag of feed that lasts me a couple months for around $40 🤷♀️👍🏻 good deal
You will love your hens forever! I highly recommend having them if it is at all feasible to care for them regularly and get them used to you from chick time.
You overpaid for everything, plus the same size setup you have could take more chickens and you'd be able to sow a couple dozen every week, when I started mine the chicken zags sold a half price paid for all the fencing Boston fencing for the garden to keep them out of it
@@dirtysnerty I don’t think you want to reply to me but post your own comment. That is a good price for a wood coop now, I know. Their equipment will last for 10 years. So it’s all relative to their situation and weather. Karma comes round my friend, best look over your shoulder. 😊
Nice coop and chicken setup. I am getting ready to move to my retirement farm. I will be starting with chickens and rabbits. Their coop will be one of the existing sheds on site that is 10X16 that I will be modifying. First I will divide it in half with hardware cloth and an existing screen door. On the chicken side I will use limbs (1"+ diameter) cut from overgrown trees being removed. A hole will be cut in the side for their doorway. And will use existing wood scraps for their door/ramp. I will need to purchase 2 small hinges for that door which I anticipate no more than $3. I will be installing a water recovery system from their roof which I have already priced out at under $70. Less than $5 for food dispenser as I am making one from a bucket obtained from food service business and scraps from a plumbing project. Nesting boxes will be made with existing wood scraps. Modifications to coup to include a covered outdoor area (so it doesn't get muddy since chickens like to be dry) of 10X8 which will be made with a combination of wood from pallets, hardware cloth, corrugated panels, and 4"+ diameter poles from removed overgrown trees at an estimated cost. There will also be a chicken run leading to a 20 ft square fenced in area which will be a composting station for them to help me process. Out of pocket costs will be $270 for both their covered area and the run. Chick cost will be approximately $100 for 20 (just under $5 each for the ones I want and I do intend on letting broody hens hatch eggs to build up numbers high enough to provide meat chickens in the future. Feed costs are undetermined. Have already started a small mealworms farm and been letting them multiply so that production levels will be sufficiently high enough to provide substantial supplemental feed as well as them being supplemented with veggies from garden. Unknown how much will be able to supplement grain and bedding. That comes to $478 + another $50 for nails, screws and any other incidentals that I might not have anticipated plus unknown feed and bedding costs. Costs can be even cheaper if someone chooses to have completely free range or house them in chicken tractors. This isn't to say my way is better than theirs. Mine will be much more rustic looking than theirs for starters. If they are living in a residential area, especially if they have an HOA there could be necessity for more attention to aesthetics and with only 4 chickens I would guess that is a factor. They have an excellent setup that works for them. Plus if you don't have building skills it makes sense to spend for a premade coop. If I didn't have a sturdy building already I probably would choose to house in chicken tractors because of costs for a coop as large as my shed provides. There is a multitude of options available, all with their own costs for raising chickens. Whether it costs you a little or a lot don't be afraid to start. It isn't always about saving money. Sometimes quality of food is more important than costs.
Thanks for the information! I've been considering it, but wasn't sure what was involved or where to start. Your video gave me a clue of where to start.
We also have 4 hens and spent a lot for all the peripherals other than feed. but now we (the UK) have avian flu restrictions so we had to but a big enclosure so we can't free range them round our big garden. We aren't getting eggs from them at the moment since is cold and they are in moult too
my goodness that’s a lot of money! I think for our 5 chickens and 5 ducks we still spent less than that. HOWEVER I am so glad to see more people raising their own livestock.
You can raise and safely care for chickens around $100 start up. I do buy 16% layer, but they free range and dont eat much in the pallet coop. Yes, pallet coop. 5 gallon buckets make great, long lasting feeders and waterers. Milk crates make great nesting boxes. You'll save around $1400 for your family.
I am interested in doing an outdoor BSFL colony this year. Ideally I will purchase the protapod from protapodusa. I just don’t know if I’ll have enough scraps to feed them.
Few hundred $ for material to build a coupe and fencing. If you buy pre build then don’t expect return on investment. Food cost can be cut 1/2 with table scraps and bartering at farmers market.
I just Started a new chicken area & here's how much some things cost me. Just wanting to help. If your On a super tight budget, like I am....? Look on market place and get some free supplies. You will be surprised on what you CAN GET. Im Not new to chickens here & I'm getting back into raising them again. No hybrids me us, this time around.. only Black Australorps. We have a 8ft x 10ft Old metal shed (we was replacing anyways. For a bigger one) ...i used what we already had & turned into a hen house for 15 chickens. $0 (Many people will GIVE THEM away... so, look for one for free) I grow my own bamboo, so it's easy to make perches For inside the chicken house/coop and for their pen/run 😉 But, tree branches work GREAT TOO. Let nature provide. I need to Cut in air vents and add on plexiglass windows, $20 on Amazon. Adding in a solar fan, for better air flow! Only around $11 on Amazon. I will be Framing the windows with wood "scraps" we already have, and cover the window cut-out with protective wire, for when windows are open. Adding on locks to windows for winter time. $3 for the cheap locks I Ordered new CHICKS from Hoovers Hatchery $63. 5 roosters & 10 hen: 15! They will be shipped on Valentines day. ❤ 💜 nit keeping them all. Later, I will pick out my favorites.. Rooster and others will be re-home. Got a 10x13 feet, Chicken run on Amazon for $189 on prime. Comes with EVERYTHING YOU NEED to put it together... yes, even chicken wire roll too. ... im also adding in alot free things, I make myself or found for free, for many of my Chickens needs. ENTERTAINMENT for chickens!!?!?! YES! Many don't know this: when they are kept in pen/runs... they will get board and will start hurt each other, with pecking or even fight. Chickens need a swing & bright red colors to peck at.. things to keep their minds busy. Any treats they can eat, you can hang it up and let them WORK for it. Get creative! Also from Home Depot: feed and water containers are 2 food grade, 5 gallon buckets $10 for 2 with lids $5 for 2 =$15 Then get the feed cups and water attachments from Amazon for $15 or less 😀 The kits come with every thing needed to make the holes. So, Food and Water bucket containers for CHEAP Is a total of only $30 So, I also added in some extra protective clothes wire.. 20 inchs x 82 feet of ½ inch metal box Cloth to add some extra protection around the BOTTOM of the pen & hen house, to help stop predators from digging in. $58 on Amazon. (It's important to do with this type of pen/run! ) Im building a salad Bar grazing box (FREE!!!) coverd with old chicken wire. (ALSO FREE) Used old reused lumber. The plants will grow up threw the wire and saves the plants from being killed by chickens. They will just keep growing. Feed AND grains $40 every 2 months if you do it right. And feed them vegetables scraps and bug treats from the property & my garden. They LOVE grass, garden greens, millet spray, clover.. look it up. If you want to see my new journey for your self... just come find me. 😎
A dozen free range eggs here in Canada at the supermarket is about 7 dollars for a dozen eggs if you eat eggs everyday this is the way to go if you are able to have chickens
We’re at $12/ dozen here in Tucson AZ. Our local feed store sells chicks in the spring though, so I’m thinking that’s the way to go. Do you need a rooster or just hens?
@@stephjones7104 yes! But cost is an issue with that. I’m fairly certain I can DIY an enclosed coop with a shade awning for chickens, but making a beehive like that seems…a little too ambitious. And the pre-fabbed are costly. Though my apiary knowledge is sorely lacking
You could add a male chicken, if you have any thinking of multiplying them. We always had chickens back at my home,, and we grew up thinking of multiplying everything 😅 ducks, goats too
That's a lot of money. I have 6 chickens and 2 ducks paid $4 per chick built my own coop for about $500 and spend $16 a month on feed and a $6 hay bale. Also have an extra dozen or two egg per moth I resell.
I’ve just started getting eggs from my chickens. I need to know what’s next. They are still on the starter food and non thing else. What do I give them now? I hear of chicken scratch and calcium and other treats.
Now it is time to put them on layer feed. Oyster shells also will be needed. If you have part of a bag of your starter mix it with lay to gradually get them used to the new feed.
$35 a month on keeping the chickens…. I’m sure that’s more than what anyone in the comments spends on eggs in one month. But having chickens and the satisfaction of eating your own eggs, priceless.
If you aren’t very handy and have to buy those pre fabricated pieces then yes it’s that expensive. Also bull foods are much cheaper than that as well so find another place to shop. Make the drive to a distant feed store and load up. It’s way way cheaper to raise chickens than that.
It depends on your egg consumption, if your household consumes 4 eggs/day or more, than it’s likely cheaper to raise chickens than buy them at the store. It is for us. We only bought pasture raised and organic before producing our own too. Plus we live over an hour from a supermarket so it definitely makes sense for us
It can cost less if you give them your table scraps they eat everything we eat meat you’ll have to grind up since they don’t have teeth. Most cooked veggies they can break up on their own.
It’s not about eggs lol. It’s an adventure. It’s fun building stuff It’s fun fabricating stuff to secure them It’s fun to have a project By the way have you ever had fresh eggs?
I’m sorry but I would build my chicken coop for way less than 240 bucks and they would have more room and much warmer in the winter and cooler for summertime. I’m not sure where you live but baby chicks are only about 2 bucks each here. Anyway I do like what your doing and keep up the good work.
That’s not true not all costs like that. My coop was built by my dad. I bought 4 chicks and each chick cost three dollars so 9$. Just use a plate for feed and a plate for water and cheap fence and that’s it and the total is…77$
We didnt spend anywhere near that and we have 16 hens and 1 rooster. I think they cost just under $3 each, sexed and shipping included. We built almost a quarter acre to free range. 2 sides were our pre existing property fence. We used some extra t posts we had laying around. It cost about $300 for the fencing, extra t posts and a couple 4x4s. We built a large coup, not those cheap ones from tractor supply that fall apart in a couple years. It cost about $500. We made a waterer out of a free 5 gallon bucket and metal outdoor garbage cane and a feeder out of another free 5 gallon bucket. Total cost was under $50, and we only have to top off once a week. They free range most of the time, and we spend about $30 in feed a month on 17 chickens. This year we are planting grains and peas and black sunflower seeds to offset our feed bill, plus starting to feed them scraps from the kitchen. We got them last april, so they are not quite a year old. We got average 12 large eggs a day in fall, and 9 a day in winter. They are northern breeds that do well in winter. Barred rocks and wyandottes. Good luck!
Yep- any sprouts are good. I saw rice sprouted for hens on TH-cam. Don't forget they will eat any kitchen scraps you have, and if you give them a protected run or safe free-range area, they will forage for themselves- worms & bugs & grasses. It makes them healthy, decreases feed expense & gives them omega-rich egg yolks.
Guess it depends how many eggs you eat in a month, and where you live. Where I am in Canada the eggs are skyrocketing and I easily eat a dozen every day or two. It's getting expensive but they are still cheaper than other protein sources
@@topcan5600 it’s unfair on the chickens to just kill them once they don’t lay so many eggs they lay eggs for most of their life they just don’t lay so many once they’re old
Plus red mite control with diatomaceous earth food grade, rodent control, grit and a knowledge of chicken welfare is essential so it’s not as easy as you might think. Plus you have to lock them up at night and open the coop in the morning unless you buy an automated door
People need to start somewhere, that’s how you learn about them. Trial and error. There is so much info out there, people should be encouraged to have them. It is a constant protein source. If they stop laying, into the pot they go.
Agreed, I have 20 fluffy butts and spend that much. What is she feeding them? Plus, using used wood and fencing was way cheaper when i built my coop and pen.
I just used an old shed. Added nesting boxes and a roost. I use the deep bed method which only needs to be cleaned out once a year. Kitchen scraps cut way down on the feed. You folks have a lot of learning to do.
now that you mentioned it,pretty sure you can just go to home depot or whatever you have and get a dinky pre fab shack for less than the amount that video maker stated
"Coon Proofing" is your biggest upfront expense and it CANNOT be avoided id you wish to keep hens. Coons, foxes, possums, coyotes, hawks, wolves, even skunks will all kill your hens. If you can keep A group of coons out you can keep them all out.
You could lower that price a lot by realizing chickens don’t need all the fancy stuff
True I just used an old dog house for the coop. Only had to pay for chickens
It’s all retarded new ager shit people are buying
Props to them for treating the animals with care though
how do they even have that much money to spend on that shit to start with lol
@@yammmit they’re making that TH-cam money
You forgot about the pride and standing back and looking at your own work and smiling, knowing that you both did that and your Rewards from it
What?? She lays her own eggs now?
She could have had a little humility in accessories and done it for a fraction of the price!!
Lame
@@bend3rbot
I'm a scrap dealer, yes I agree, though it's probably still a better decision than spending a weekend in Vegas..!
What do you mean she forgot? She was listing the costs. Not the benefits. Do you think that pride is a cost? If not, STFU
We built our coop from leftover wood and bought the cheapest chicken fence. It cost a bit more a few years later to replace the top fencing, because we had to get heavier duty fence due to the possums climbing on top and falling in. Then they'd kill a bunch of our hens and steal the eggs. Smh...in all I think it cost use maybe $400 over several years. It can be done for very little money if people don't have a lot of up front money. Also, we got a rooster for free from a neighbor and several hens from a friend who needed to down size her own coop. Ask around, lots of people who will share in hard times. Or barter.
That is the way to go.. now you have eggs to offer as bribes..
Becarful with used wood, and check for any signs of termites
@@ms.pirate Termites is good eatin' for them chickens..
@@ms.pirate pressure treated. I live in Florida. We always check for termites.
Right. I would rather recycle wood than spend 1500 for 4 chickens. Wth. We got a shed for free converted 4x16 for coop, built 26x12 run paid about 150 for supplies including automatic for that was only 60.
As a new chicken owner you can convert a old shed and use a manual door as well. That's what we're doing so far planning on expanding chicken run.
Same! Just added it to the morning routine.
We live in the middle of the burbs. Country ordinance states no more than 8 hens only. Because our neighbors are busybodies, we have them in a “covert” setup. Homemade coop in the back of the garage with a ramp connected to a hole I cut and sealed in the wall. This leads to the run that is built into and under our deck. All in all we have invested about $1500ish into them with an ongoing cost of about $35-50 a month for feed. Bedding is through chip drop. Arborist wood chips eliminate odors. Best part, we get an average of 3 dozen eggs a week currently. Love our girls😁
Smart!! You could even have tunnels to grass that you grow yourself or other sprouts… ideas are endless
You can use leaves as bedding, their free. To save money we get a bag of kayer feed and a bag of wheat from a local supplier, we ferment some wheat and sprout some. Two cups layer two cups feement(doubles) two cuos sprouts turns into 8 to 10 cups of feed. So to feed 12 birds a month, about $30
that's both incredible and incredibly depressing you had to go through so much excessive nonsensical bs just for some fu©kmuppet to not karen you out....oi society... i want a new planet, alone preferably.
Plot twist: I’m your neighbor and I read this 😂jk
I always use mostly repurposed materials for projects like this. These folks spent over 8X what I did to set up my most recent girls, so clearly there is a wide range RE your investment. Whatever works for you. Best of all: delicious fresh eggs; chickens are fun and funny; they have unique personalities. I would have chickens in my life even if they didn't provide yummy food.
Nothing like fresh eggs. Thanks for sharing this.
I'm planning on raising chickens for a summer project/program from a class I'm taking. Luckily, we used to have chickens and still have the old coop and feed/watering systems.
Chickens give manure and feathers too. Also no gas cost to gather the eggs.
24/7 video for cats
They are amazing to watch
The difference between U All and others is U guys are doing IT…👍👍👍
I love my chickens, I remember when I was little and I always helped around. I helped to build the coop, and I always fill up their food and water
Great breakdown! Now you can build a slightly larger coop and add 10+ birds. You'll find that after the first winter, the egg production will drop significantly during short days each winter. With 13 birds, our lowest day was 1 egg in early January (second year). We just added 18 girls to our collection.;
In the short term it’s cheaper to buy store eggs, but having your own gives you an endless supply and food security. Plus, the joy of having them.
My 8 month old barred Plymouth Rock Chickens, the coop and run I built, and all the stuff needed. I've probably 1500 bucks in every up til this point. Unless I free range or grow ur own food the eggs will never balance out the cost. But the fact of having fresh organic eggs each day and the joy and satisfaction of watching the chickies go about their day. It's well worth the independence IMO.
And you know what goes into them. Priceless.
Yep nothing like fresh eggs I also got my chickens ad chicks and in total I have 15 chickens and they lay eggs every day and u love this video 😊
When the grocery store runs out of eggs, you still have your own reserve.
Unless the feed store runs out, too.
@@wholeNwon Then they will continue to free range, give veggie scraps, and grow their own feed.
@@wholeNwon How did the chickens ever survive before feed stores? Hm, figure this out and you're good.
@@junduang23 Some survived but far fewer were nourished well enough to lay eggs regularly.
You don't 'need' an automatic door, that is an extravagance. The small flat pack coops are okay as starters, but a shed conversion is likely where you will end up. Fencing and runs are expensive, but it can grow over time.
Thank you! Can’t wait to start my chicken journey
I love the buff Orpingtons! And the Easter eggers too! Such sweet hens! Good job guys!
On our homestead we just got chickens this year! A young flock of 10 that we bought and 6 layers free from a neighbor. We used old scraps for building coops and chicken tractors, in total over the past 4 months of having them we've spent about $250ish. You can get it down to dang near free if you take advantage of your resources. This cost would've been less but we bought the expensive feed the first couple of months.
I can have a chicken coop as fancy as that for cheaper from; scrap wood(free) a drill screws and a machete(for cutting sticks down for t-post😂😂😂 I personally don’t have a chicken coop like that but it could definitely work for a few bucks instead of spending 1500$ for like 5 chickens😂
Good looking birds, great set up . Eggs and chicken clowns priceless 👍🇬🇧
I have owned chickens for around 5 years now.
My coop literally costed me under $300 to build. We had all the wood laying around, the automatic door was around 200 and then for the waterer anf feeder it was around $100. The fencing we got for free. Prefab coops dont give enough room for your chickens, so i found it easier to build big the first time.
I spend maybe $40 every 2 months on mine as i give them scrap vegtables and fruits this saves on food cost.
When you start you realize you dont need a ton to have chickens.
And that they only lay for a few years before only laying one egg a week.
My chickens were free because I hatched some of my grandmas eggs 😂 and I used an old garden fence to make their roaming area 🤷♀️ I ran to tractor supply and got a (not supper fancy) food dispenser, and a water dispenser. I used my grandmas old coop to put them in at night.
Not including the things I recycled, the only thing I had to pay for was the food and water dispensers that costed around $30, and I got a HUGE bag of feed that lasts me a couple months for around $40 🤷♀️👍🏻 good deal
You will love your hens forever! I highly recommend having them if it is at all feasible to care for them regularly and get them used to you from chick time.
You overpaid for everything, plus the same size setup you have could take more chickens and you'd be able to sow a couple dozen every week, when I started mine the chicken zags sold a half price paid for all the fencing Boston fencing for the garden to keep them out of it
@@dirtysnerty I don’t think you want to reply to me but post your own comment. That is a good price for a wood coop now, I know. Their equipment will last for 10 years. So it’s all relative to their situation and weather. Karma comes round my friend, best look over your shoulder. 😊
@@lucyprice6237 what the heck are you talkin about Karmann looking over your shoulder? Are you okay
@@dirtysnerty 😆🤣😊
Nice coop and chicken setup.
I am getting ready to move to my retirement farm. I will be starting with chickens and rabbits. Their coop will be one of the existing sheds on site that is 10X16 that I will be modifying. First I will divide it in half with hardware cloth and an existing screen door. On the chicken side I will use limbs (1"+ diameter) cut from overgrown trees being removed. A hole will be cut in the side for their doorway. And will use existing wood scraps for their door/ramp. I will need to purchase 2 small hinges for that door which I anticipate no more than $3.
I will be installing a water recovery system from their roof which I have already priced out at under $70. Less than $5 for food dispenser as I am making one from a bucket obtained from food service business and scraps from a plumbing project.
Nesting boxes will be made with existing wood scraps.
Modifications to coup to include a covered outdoor area (so it doesn't get muddy since chickens like to be dry) of 10X8 which will be made with a combination of wood from pallets, hardware cloth, corrugated panels, and 4"+ diameter poles from removed overgrown trees at an estimated cost. There will also be a chicken run leading to a 20 ft square fenced in area which will be a composting station for them to help me process. Out of pocket costs will be $270 for both their covered area and the run.
Chick cost will be approximately $100 for 20 (just under $5 each for the ones I want and I do intend on letting broody hens hatch eggs to build up numbers high enough to provide meat chickens in the future.
Feed costs are undetermined. Have already started a small mealworms farm and been letting them multiply so that production levels will be sufficiently high enough to provide substantial supplemental feed as well as them being supplemented with veggies from garden. Unknown how much will be able to supplement grain and bedding.
That comes to $478 + another $50 for nails, screws and any other incidentals that I might not have anticipated plus unknown feed and bedding costs.
Costs can be even cheaper if someone chooses to have completely free range or house them in chicken tractors.
This isn't to say my way is better than theirs. Mine will be much more rustic looking than theirs for starters. If they are living in a residential area, especially if they have an HOA there could be necessity for more attention to aesthetics and with only 4 chickens I would guess that is a factor. They have an excellent setup that works for them.
Plus if you don't have building skills it makes sense to spend for a premade coop. If I didn't have a sturdy building already I probably would choose to house in chicken tractors because of costs for a coop as large as my shed provides.
There is a multitude of options available, all with their own costs for raising chickens. Whether it costs you a little or a lot don't be afraid to start. It isn't always about saving money. Sometimes quality of food is more important than costs.
Thanks for the information! I've been considering it, but wasn't sure what was involved or where to start. Your video gave me a clue of where to start.
Glad you found it helpful!
Very helpful and informative! Thanks! 😊
We also have 4 hens and spent a lot for all the peripherals other than feed. but now we (the UK) have avian flu restrictions so we had to but a big enclosure so we can't free range them round our big garden. We aren't getting eggs from them at the moment since is cold and they are in moult too
Yep, sounds about right with the price of everything right now
my goodness that’s a lot of money! I think for our 5 chickens and 5 ducks we still spent less than that. HOWEVER I am so glad to see more people raising their own livestock.
You can raise and safely care for chickens around $100 start up. I do buy 16% layer, but they free range and dont eat much in the pallet coop. Yes, pallet coop. 5 gallon buckets make great, long lasting feeders and waterers. Milk crates make great nesting boxes. You'll save around $1400 for your family.
I loved having chickens.
Thanks. Always wanted to know
Love the coop. Where did you find that one?
I am interested in doing an outdoor BSFL colony this year. Ideally I will purchase the protapod from protapodusa. I just don’t know if I’ll have enough scraps to feed them.
Ask restaurants…grow sprouts or a garden.
I wish I had the room for chickens. But I'm in a tow house with no yard. One day!
Maybe you could find somebody that would go in with you to create a habitat for chickens, and you would be helping them and they would be helping you
Few hundred $ for material to build a coupe and fencing. If you buy pre build then don’t expect return on investment. Food cost can be cut 1/2 with table scraps and bartering at farmers market.
I just Started a new chicken area & here's how much some things cost me. Just wanting to help.
If your On a super tight budget, like I am....?
Look on market place and get some free supplies. You will be surprised on what you CAN GET.
Im Not new to chickens here & I'm getting back into raising them again. No hybrids me us, this time around.. only Black Australorps.
We have a 8ft x 10ft Old metal shed (we was replacing anyways. For a bigger one) ...i used what we already had & turned into a hen house for 15 chickens. $0
(Many people will GIVE THEM away... so, look for one for free)
I grow my own bamboo, so it's easy to make perches For inside the chicken house/coop and for their pen/run 😉
But, tree branches work GREAT TOO. Let nature provide.
I need to Cut in air vents and add on plexiglass windows, $20 on Amazon.
Adding in a solar fan, for better air flow! Only around $11 on Amazon.
I will be Framing the windows with wood "scraps" we already have, and cover the window cut-out with protective wire, for when windows are open. Adding on locks to windows for winter time. $3 for the cheap locks
I Ordered new CHICKS from Hoovers Hatchery $63.
5 roosters & 10 hen: 15! They will be shipped on Valentines day. ❤ 💜 nit keeping them all. Later, I will pick out my favorites.. Rooster and others will be re-home.
Got a 10x13 feet, Chicken run on Amazon for $189 on prime. Comes with EVERYTHING YOU NEED to put it together... yes, even chicken wire roll too.
... im also adding in alot free things, I make myself or found for free, for many of my Chickens needs.
ENTERTAINMENT for chickens!!?!?! YES!
Many don't know this: when they are kept in pen/runs... they will get board and will start hurt each other, with pecking or even fight.
Chickens need a swing & bright red colors to peck at.. things to keep their minds busy.
Any treats they can eat, you can hang it up and let them WORK for it. Get creative!
Also from Home Depot: feed and water containers are 2 food grade, 5 gallon buckets $10 for 2 with lids $5 for 2 =$15
Then get the feed cups and water attachments from Amazon for $15 or less 😀
The kits come with every thing needed to make the holes.
So, Food and Water bucket containers for CHEAP Is a total of only $30
So, I also added in some extra protective clothes wire..
20 inchs x 82 feet of ½ inch metal box Cloth to add some extra protection around the BOTTOM of the pen & hen house, to help stop predators from digging in. $58 on Amazon. (It's important to do with this type of pen/run! )
Im building a salad Bar grazing box (FREE!!!) coverd with old chicken wire. (ALSO FREE) Used old reused lumber. The plants will grow up threw the wire and saves the plants from being killed by chickens. They will just keep growing.
Feed AND grains $40 every 2 months if you do it right.
And feed them vegetables scraps and bug treats from the property & my garden. They LOVE grass, garden greens, millet spray, clover.. look it up.
If you want to see my new journey for your self... just come find me. 😎
A dozen free range eggs here in Canada at the supermarket is about 7 dollars for a dozen eggs if you eat eggs everyday this is the way to go if you are able to have chickens
In the US, pasture raised eggs are going for $8-9 a dozen right now
We’re at $12/ dozen here in Tucson AZ. Our local feed store sells chicks in the spring though, so I’m thinking that’s the way to go. Do you need a rooster or just hens?
Have you guys thought about getting some hives to produce you're own honey ?
@@stephjones7104 yes! But cost is an issue with that. I’m fairly certain I can DIY an enclosed coop with a shade awning for chickens, but making a beehive like that seems…a little too ambitious. And the pre-fabbed are costly. Though my apiary knowledge is sorely lacking
@@sassafrass0903 just hens, it took ours about 6 months to start laying
I did the same setup for 150bucks 1500to get started is insane I built those professionally and donate them all over
Ahh…ok I think I’ll stick to paying $5 for a dozen eggs 😅
To each their own.
What will you do with them when they stop laying? You have to figure that out to calculate costd
do they lay consistently throughout the year?
No. Winter they slow down
Thank you. That was informative. So about $2000 to get started.
It can definitely be cheaper, this was just how we chose to do it, and our setup is pretty automated and hands off
You could add a male chicken, if you have any thinking of multiplying them. We always had chickens back at my home,, and we grew up thinking of multiplying everything 😅 ducks, goats too
MAŞALLAH maşallah bereketli olsun Kütahya dan selamlar Türkiye
Also in case of the apocalypse or food shortages you have your own sustainable egg vendors
You can buy more than 314 whole chicken or around 14272 eggs in my country with 1500 usd ....
I love eggs... wish i had a backyard...
The automated door is expensive, but I think it’s worth it.
They are wonderful animals
Can you keep the chicken cage out in the snow? Don't they need heating?
That seems kind of high for the enclosure. Are you guys in Canada?
What is the reason for the egg shortage?
How many eggs on average do you get from your four wonder chickens?
That's a lot of money. I have 6 chickens and 2 ducks paid $4 per chick built my own coop for about $500 and spend $16 a month on feed and a $6 hay bale. Also have an extra dozen or two egg per moth I resell.
I’ve just started getting eggs from my chickens. I need to know what’s next. They are still on the starter food and non thing else. What do I give them now? I hear of chicken scratch and calcium and other treats.
Now it is time to put them on layer feed. Oyster shells also will be needed. If you have part of a bag of your starter mix it with lay to gradually get them used to the new feed.
How do you heat in winter?
Wow, pretty chickens.🤗
I think I will stick to the store for my eggs
To each their own
Nobody keeps chickens at home to save money! They just love living birds
You spend $35 to maintain them monthly, When you can buy 2 dozen eggs for about 8 to $10 in the store that would last for the month.
Mine have been worth it for their weed clearing services and giving me a reason to get out of bed. Expensive though!
Do you supplement their food with vegetable scraps?
Yes and mealworms
$35 a month on keeping the chickens…. I’m sure that’s more than what anyone in the comments spends on eggs in one month. But having chickens and the satisfaction of eating your own eggs, priceless.
so beautiful
Fancy chickens!!! 😂 Better get more to recoup that cost!!! Spend some money on an incubator too. This is crazy
Price per egg is what I'm looking for
If you aren’t very handy and have to buy those pre fabricated pieces then yes it’s that expensive. Also bull foods are much cheaper than that as well so find another place to shop. Make the drive to a distant feed store and load up. It’s way way cheaper to raise chickens than that.
❤❤❤
Cutee🥰🥰
Woah!! Y’all spent $1500 on startup for 4 hens!? I don’t think we even spent $400
1500 dollars? I am correct?
What auto door are you using?
Sounds like it costs more than if you bought at the store.
It depends on your egg consumption, if your household consumes 4 eggs/day or more, than it’s likely cheaper to raise chickens than buy them at the store. It is for us. We only bought pasture raised and organic before producing our own too. Plus we live over an hour from a supermarket so it definitely makes sense for us
It can cost less if you give them your table scraps they eat everything we eat meat you’ll have to grind up since they don’t have teeth. Most cooked veggies they can break up on their own.
It's an irresponsible video.
It’s not about eggs lol. It’s an adventure.
It’s fun building stuff
It’s fun fabricating stuff to secure them
It’s fun to have a project
By the way have you ever had fresh eggs?
@@kevyak yes you are right even garden waste green can be fed to them and they really love that too
I’m sorry but I would build my chicken coop for way less than 240 bucks and they would have more room and much warmer in the winter and cooler for summertime. I’m not sure where you live but baby chicks are only about 2 bucks each here. Anyway I do like what your doing and keep up the good work.
Even if you spend too much on your chickens, they will be well worth it when SHTF and you can't buy any eggs or meat for any price!
That's ridiculous, I have 34 chickens, spend 30 a month or less. They eat all of our garden scraps and leftovers. These people went way way overboard.
Not bad for them to have a bougie little life 😌
Aaaaaaannnnd $5,000,000 to own the land for the chickens to roost on.
In Australia there's limits
10 chickens (0 rooster)
1.5m x 1.5m MAX
Approval to build
That’s not true not all costs like that. My coop was built by my dad. I bought 4 chicks and each chick cost three dollars so 9$. Just use a plate for feed and a plate for water and cheap fence and that’s it and the total is…77$
Bro, I did the exact same thing, but it did not cost that much. She’s making it all up.💀
It's not about saving money it's about just a little more independent. The only bad thing is it's addictive. Chicken math is real
We didnt spend anywhere near that and we have 16 hens and 1 rooster. I think they cost just under $3 each, sexed and shipping included. We built almost a quarter acre to free range. 2 sides were our pre existing property fence. We used some extra t posts we had laying around. It cost about $300 for the fencing, extra t posts and a couple 4x4s. We built a large coup, not those cheap ones from tractor supply that fall apart in a couple years. It cost about $500. We made a waterer out of a free 5 gallon bucket and metal outdoor garbage cane and a feeder out of another free 5 gallon bucket. Total cost was under $50, and we only have to top off once a week. They free range most of the time, and we spend about $30 in feed a month on 17 chickens. This year we are planting grains and peas and black sunflower seeds to offset our feed bill, plus starting to feed them scraps from the kitchen. We got them last april, so they are not quite a year old. We got average 12 large eggs a day in fall, and 9 a day in winter. They are northern breeds that do well in winter. Barred rocks and wyandottes. Good luck!
Don't forget about sprouted grains for chooks..I use oats or wheat grass. They LOVE it
This is very helpful! Thank you!
Yep- any sprouts are good. I saw rice sprouted for hens on TH-cam. Don't forget they will eat any kitchen scraps you have, and if you give them a protected run or safe free-range area, they will forage for themselves- worms & bugs & grasses. It makes them healthy, decreases feed expense & gives them omega-rich egg yolks.
We also have chickens. Our eggs are worth $50 each.
I'm sure it is worth it. Also, the main cost will last you for a long time and many chickens to come.
Thanks for the info.
Exactly, the biggest expense is one-time and we feel it’s worth it in the long run
No rooster so no egg will hatch.
@Gol Acheron yes, I was only replying to K J comments where it’s mentioned ‘many chickens to come’
@@syedikramulla3693 no 💩
GOOD...LORD...I don,t spend $35.00 a month on EGGS!!! And, I also don,t have to feed and water and take care of them!!!
Guess it depends how many eggs you eat in a month, and where you live. Where I am in Canada the eggs are skyrocketing and I easily eat a dozen every day or two. It's getting expensive but they are still cheaper than other protein sources
Sounds like you have never eaten a fresh egg..
Don't forget you can always slaughter and butcher the chickens once they stop laying
You don’t have a family to feed do you?
@@topcan5600 it’s unfair on the chickens to just kill them once they don’t lay so many eggs they lay eggs for most of their life they just don’t lay so many once they’re old
Plus red mite control with diatomaceous earth food grade, rodent control, grit and a knowledge of chicken welfare is essential so it’s not as easy as you might think. Plus you have to lock them up at night and open the coop in the morning unless you buy an automated door
People need to start somewhere, that’s how you learn about them. Trial and error. There is so much info out there, people should be encouraged to have them. It is a constant protein source. If they stop laying, into the pot they go.
Lol automated door was in the video, 2auto doors -$300
Wow 35 a month? I have 3 chickens and don't spend anywhere near that and we have more eggs than we need
Agreed, I have 20 fluffy butts and spend that much. What is she feeding them? Plus, using used wood and fencing was way cheaper when i built my coop and pen.
I just used an old shed. Added nesting boxes and a roost. I use the deep bed method which only needs to be cleaned out once a year. Kitchen scraps cut way down on the feed. You folks have a lot of learning to do.
Not everyone has an old shed, though…but yeah.
now that you mentioned it,pretty sure you can just go to home depot or whatever you have and get a dinky pre fab shack for less than the amount that video maker stated
"Coon Proofing" is your biggest upfront expense and it CANNOT be avoided id you wish to keep hens. Coons, foxes, possums, coyotes, hawks, wolves, even skunks will all kill your hens. If you can keep A group of coons out you can keep them all out.
We always send having chickens is the most expensive eggs you will ever eat but they're the best tasting!
Cost me about $500 to build a 4x 8 indoor & 10x12 outdoor & do it all myself with my hubby or Dad. And we have 15 dual purpose. 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you. Non-chicken people think our backyard chicken eggs come free...thanks for busting that myth.
I have chickens and they are about the most fun things to have on this planet
Jesus, this is what happens when hipsters try things.
"Fenced-in free-range area." WTF?
Lol, I had a ghetto chicken yard- didn’t spend near that amount( didn’t look as fancy either) but same results in daily eggs