Comments on: Why do frugal families have chickens?

By: VT-chicklit

VT-chicklit — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:26:36 +0000

I keep 6 hens because we enjoy eggs that taste like eggs tasted during my childhood. We also enjoy watching the antics of our hens as they chase each other for the tasty morsel(usually grapes or cherry tomato) I will throw them. I love to watch them dust bathe. Their fluffing and shuddering make me laugh. My DH and I relax in the evening during the summer, by taking a tall glass of iced tea and a lawn chair back to their run to watch what we call “Chicken TV”, until they decide to put themselves to bed and we lock up the coop.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:23:24 +0000

brandie…Yup, Hillbilly TV…*: ) I originally got my chickens for (oh don’t let them see this…) food…After naming them…raising them from day olds…that has become impossible outside of eggs. I use the eggs to make neighborhood friends as well as for my kitchen escapades.

By: Melody

Melody — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:21:58 +0000

They’re worth it for us. I’m not sure how the cost breaks down, but it seems like what we make from selling the eggs (people gladly pay $3 a dozen around here) pays for their feed. We have somewhere between 60 and 80 chickens and get about a dozen eggs every day. My husband was also given an incubator, so whenever we need more birds, if we don’t care about breed (we have a mix of breeds at the moment), we just put some in the incubator and 3 weeks later – more chicks.

It’s been an interesting adventure. And I have to completely agree with whoever said that the flavor of farm-fresh eggs is far better than storebought. We also slaughter our own birds, so while the meat itself isn’t cheaper than what we could buy at the store, it has better flavor and is always available.

By: Steph

Steph — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:06:36 +0000

I suppose it depends on where you live! I rarely see eggs under 2-4 dollars/dozen here, so I wish I could have chickens! (Alas, I live in an apartment with no yard.) And if I want organic, free-range eggs, I’m looking at more than that. So, I think chickens would definitely be worth it.

By: kimc

kimc — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:21:29 +0000

brandie,
I love it! That’s what I’m going to start calling it when hubby and I watch our children’s antics.

By: brandie

brandie — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:55:42 +0000

“Hillbilly Television”- that’s what my husband and I call it when we sit and watch our chickens’ antics. They’re pretty funny. Plus the healthy and delicious eggs are a bonus.

By: gail

gail — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:45:33 +0000

i miss my chickens! we had them becuz we wanted healthier, more organic food. what we found is what great entertainment they were. for us and our dog! she loved to watch them all day long.

our last set of chicks we had we let free range and our disabled son learned to run after them–great therapy!

and i agree with those who compared the eggs with organic. you can’t compare those delicious eggs to the $1/doz you get at the store.

By: kimc

kimc — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:22:29 +0000

Becky,

I totally agree with you and others who have made similar points. This is a big part of the reason we have chickens!

We’re also hoping that some of our hens will be able to hatch out new chicks for us eventually, making this an investment that continues to grow beyond our initial little flock.

We may not save money right away, but we like the opportunity to be just a tiny bit less dependent upon the grocery store, and a way to redeem all the food scraps we generate, and a hundred other benefits that might not have immediate dollar value but will add up over time.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:06:56 +0000

I don’t think you chose the correct comparison cost. A dozen local farm chicken eggs runs around 3.50 a dozen here although you can sometimes find them for 2.50. You will also eventually get some chicken meat- probably fairly tough but excellent for stewing, etc. Poor cuts of non-factory farm chicken go for at least $3 per pound. If you generally go for the cheapest egg or chicken you can find, they probably aren’t very frugal but when comparing apples to apples, they aren’t quite the poor investment you make them out to be.

By: Cindee

Cindee — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:23:43 +0000

MY reasons? 1. Healthful, organic eggs 2. Educational and character building (for children AND adults) 3. Entertainment. They entertain me to no end. I love to watch them. 4. Possibly “cheeper” than buying organic but I’m not sure. 5. Overall it’s very satisfying to me. I feel like I’m doing something “real”…living more like God intended us to. I’m still totally dependant on the grocery store but, hey, one step at a time!