Re: nest boxes and chicken facilities.
- From: "IAN HUNTER" <IanK.Hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 01 Aug 2005 16:47:54 GMT
Hi Diddy Et al,
The main cost regarding Free-range is the capital cost of the land, be it
rented or owned.
This is why battery hens became the commercial way of producing eggs. While
the capital
cost of the equipment was/is greater, many more laying hens could be kept on
a piece of
land. Under current regulations, in Europe, that's 38 kilos of bird per
square metre. That's
about 15 to 18 birds per square metre depending upon the breed.
Also the costs on feed become so much more cheaper when buying in bulk. I
could get
my feed at 55 percent cheaper if I were to buy twenty tonnes from the
manufacturer. But
I only have a small flock, and it would go stale and loose much of the
vitamin content if I
did buy in bulk. Also I dare say that the rats would get very fat too.
I can not understand why people buy eggs from caged hens, for me the welfare
of the
chicken is paramount. Unless the chicken can have a good life I don't want
to eat her
eggs or her when the time comes.
Also I would add, on the point of winter feed costs, I feed my chickens all
year round,
anything they get from scratching around is a bonus for them. So the costs
are the same
all year round.
> Why is free range more expensive? In the winter, I would think feed
> costs
> would be more. But in the summer they are out eating
> grasses/weeds/insects.
> Summer costs for me so far are pretty cheap. Come winter, however, i
> imagine the costs are going to saor.
>
.
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