{"id":111161,"date":"2023-07-26T13:00:32","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T17:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=111161"},"modified":"2023-07-24T12:48:56","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T16:48:56","slug":"cost-saving-tips-for-keeping-chickens-your-cash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/cost-saving-tips-for-keeping-chickens-your-cash\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost-Saving Tips For Keeping Chickens &#038; Your Cash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">T<\/span><span class=\"s1\">h<\/span><span class=\"s2\">ough you can scrimp on chicken-care costs, some things are non-ne<\/span>gotiable, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/housing-chickens-tips-gimme-shelter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safe housing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/protect-your-chicken-coop-from-common-predators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">protection from predators<\/a> and access to adequate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/the-basics-of-chicken-nutrition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nutrition<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/make-sure-your-chickens-always-have-plenty-of-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hydration<\/a>. While each of these is a requirement for quality chicken care, a bit of ingenuity and a \u201cgive it a try\u201d attitude can help keep your costs down when keeping chickens.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Reimagine a Chicken Coop<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">Chicken housing has few requirements other than it be sturdy, safe, spacious (a rule of thumb for standard-sized chickens is 3- to 5-square-feet of space per bird) and well ventilated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">After that, all bets are off!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">Look at what you may already own: Kids&#8217; playhouses (plastic or wood), potting sheds, old corn cribs and even lean-tos can be modified into a safe haven for your feathered friends. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">I<\/span><span class=\"s2\">f nothing springs to mind, don\u2019t fret: If you\u2019re on a farm of any size, there\u2019s most likely materials that can be cobbled together into a stellar chicken abode. Pallets, salvaged lumber, old cabinets and more (even trampolines, satellite dishes and old cars!) have all been successfully made into chicken coops.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">If you don\u2019t have any building materials lying around, plan a trip to a local construction surplus store (such as Habitat for Humanity ReStores) to look for building materials you can repurpose. And don\u2019t stop at the frame! Your coop can be an extension of your home, put your decorating stamp on it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">If you want to build something from the ground up, find free plans online and spend some time on Facebook Marketplace or sifting through garage-sale finds to create your dream coop on the cheap.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_111166\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-111166\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-111166\" src=\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881.jpg\" alt=\"chicken keeping chickens\" width=\"800\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881-623x360.jpg 623w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881-600x250.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881-433x250.jpg 433w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_370339881.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-111166\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">oranguta007\/Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Grow a Garden for Supplemental Nutrition<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">Quality feed can be one of the <\/span>most expensive, ongoing costs of chicken care. Though not something to scrimp on, you can stretch your feed-bill budget. If you <span class=\"s3\">already plant a garden, consider adding (or planting more of) some chicken-friendly <\/span>options, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p5\">beets<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">carrots<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">chard<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">cucumbers<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">kale<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">lettuce<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">melons<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">peas<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">parsnip<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">pumpkins<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">radishes<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">spinach<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">squash<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">sweet potatoes<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">tomatoes<\/li>\n<li class=\"p5\">turnips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p5\">Here\u2019s a bonus: Hens that eat dark, leafy veggies lay eggs with richer yolks!<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">If you don\u2019t have room for a full-fledged garden, consider an herb garden: Chickens love basil, cilantro, dill, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, tarragon and thyme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">An added nutritional boost can come from the garden. While you\u2019re weeding, thinning and watering, pick off Japanese beetles and June bugs, throw them in a bucket of water and then give them to your flock as a tasty treat.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Consider making your own chicken treats, too, using grains, suet and lard. If you\u2019re the more-adventurous type, try raising your own grubs or meal worms.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Free-Range Your Flock<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">Free-ranging your flock offers a plethora of nutritional options while encouraging the natural foraging and feeding behaviors. Chickens will nibble weeds and grass, as well as insects, lizards and mice. They\u2019re especially helpful in pastures where they will pick through manure, eating flies and their larvae, as well as other nuisance insects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">By spreading out the manure, chickens also disperse worm eggs and larvae, disrupting their life cycle and limiting livestock\u2019s chance of reinfestation. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Allowing chickens access to your compost bin will also offer them supplemental nutrition, while their scratching will assist with aeration.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Think Outside the (Nesting) Box<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">While there are few things that make a chicken-keeper happier than seeing a hen snuggled in on her nesting box, these contraptions are made for people, not necessarily hens. A chicken will lay her eggs wherever she feels safe, which, in some cases, could be all over the yard, under bushes or in other farm buildings.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Nest boxes make it easier to collect the eggs, but they need not be fancy. Milk crates, 5-gallon buckets placed on their side, old cupboards, wooden wine crates, bookcases, mailboxes, plastic kitty litter containers (and litter boxes!), newspaper holders, large planters and even old computers (with screens and \u201cguts\u201d removed) and tires can work!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">Nest boxes don\u2019t have to be square, but they do need to make the hen feel secure, while offering enough room that the hen isn\u2019t cramped. Standard nest boxes are about 12 inches long and 12 inches wide. The height is often between 12 and 16 inches, depending on the breed of bird you have. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">Nest boxes should be elevated at least a few inches off the ground.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Investigate Other Bedding Options<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">Nest box bedding encourages your hens to lay in them, and it provides a soft space for the egg, which will prevent breakage. Nesting pads are re<span class=\"s3\">usable but can be expensive. Other options include hay or straw, pine shavings or needles, old newspaper and shredded cardboard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">While some of these options will have added labor involved, their relative accessibility and (lack of) cost often outweighs the added time.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">Bedding choice can vary by season to cut costs: Grass clippings (free!) can be used in the summer and straw can be used in the late fall once it\u2019s been used for seasonal decorations. If you live near a sawmill, you may be able to pick up pickup-truck bed loads for a reduced fee.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">One of the most popular and least expensive types of bedding is dried, shredded leaves. Though leaf removal isn\u2019t always necessary if you have property, access to leaves is usually quite easy, whether you rake them yourself or pick up bagged leaves from those who live in town.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Mulching them with a mower makes them more absorbent, and chickens enjoy scratching around in them and finding any bugs. Dried, mulched leaves can be stored in containers to use throughout the year, as well.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">No matter what bedding you choose, cleanliness is key to keeping birds healthy. Fresh, dry bedding is a must to keep fungus, bacteria and pests at bay.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>DIY Dust Baths<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">Though commercial dust-bath products for poultry are available, it\u2019s easy to make your own. Dust baths (which are literally loose dirt) encourage feathers to shed and exfoliate skin. The baths also smother lice and mites that may be on your birds.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s2\">Dust bathing areas can be made in containers or in a shallow depression. Like nesting boxes, dust bath containers can be repurposed from things like old flowerpots, sandboxes, shallow feed pans and kiddie pools, among other items. The container should be low enough that chickens can easily get in and out, but with some sort of side so that the material doesn\u2019t escape when the feathers really get flying.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Dust bathing is a multibird endeavor, so the space needs to be large enough to hold three to four flock members at a time.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">All that\u2019s really needed for a dust bath is loose, dry dirt. Dense heavy clay should be avoided. If you have only clay in your area, you can use potting soil (fertilizer-free, please!), fine wood shavings or sand to ensure the bath stays clump-free; the preferred sand is often called river, mortar, construction or concrete sand, which offers multiple particle sizes. (However, sand can go by various names across the country, so it may be necessary to go and lay eyes on the sand you\u2019re purchasing.) <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">Fine-grained play sand should be avoided as it can cause crop impactions if ingested and respiratory issues if inhaled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">There are some things that can be added to make a dust bath even more appealing, including peat moss to keep the bath aerated, wood ash or charcoal. Don\u2019t use charcoal briquettes or wood that has a chemical coating or has had lighter fluid on it, however. You can also add a small amount of sulfur dust, garden or agricultural lime or diatomaceous earth. Each of these kill lice, fleas, ticks and other parasites.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">You can also add fresh or dried herbs to the bath as well. These will keep the area (and your chickens!) smelling sweet, and they can help keep insects at bay. Some herbs you can add include basil, cinnamon, ginger, lavender, lemon balm, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme and yarrow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">These are also tasty treats for your birds to nibble as they bathe.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_111165\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-111165\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-111165\" src=\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526.jpg\" alt=\"chicken keeping chickens\" width=\"800\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526-623x360.jpg 623w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526-600x250.jpg 600w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526-433x250.jpg 433w, https:\/\/img.hobbyfarms.com\/AdobeStock_84185526.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-111165\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">nutid\/Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Creative Chicken Tractors<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">Like chicken coops, instructions on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/afs.ca.uky.edu\/poultry\/housing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">build your own chicken tractor<\/a> abound on the internet, many of them specifying that they are easy to build in one day with limited tools and capabilities. Movable chicken tractors offer chickens the ability to forage for food while being kept safe from predators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">A chicken tractor can be used as permanent housing for chickens that aren\u2019t allowed to free-range. It\u2019s basically a mobile home for poultry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Many plans require only some structural supports (think pallets, cattle panels, old gates, remnant lumber or PVC pipe) and chicken wire or hardware cloth, though they can get as complicated as you prefer to make them, adding tires, shingles, siding and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Like coops, functional is often better than elaborate!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Secure Additional Food Sources<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s3\">Table scraps can supplement your flock\u2019s diet while reducing food waste. Most birds welcome the addition of meat, grains, greens, veggies and bread as a tasty treat. If you don\u2019t have a lot of leftover food, there are other options you can investigate to supplement your chicken\u2019s diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Consider approaching your local grocery store and speaking with the produce manager to see if you could pick up produce the store is preparing to throw out on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Farmer\u2019s markets are another option: Most producers don\u2019t want to pack up extra produce and may let their goods go for a song.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Who knows, you may even be able to barter eggs to sweeten the deal!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p4\"><b>Investigate Easy Ways to Feed<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p5\">While most chicken-keepers would prefer to have feed that remains feces-free, chickens don\u2019t care if their food has been on the floor for more than 5 seconds or if it\u2019s covered in some nasty stuff. Most chicken feed that\u2019s offered daily isn\u2019t harmed if it gets wet or dirty (except for layer pellets) once it\u2019s on the ground. And chickens prefer to scratch and hunt for their food.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">Because of this, the scatter method works surprisingly well for both chicken feed and any scraps you share with them.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">It\u2019s important to note that chicken feed should stay dry when stored, but the flock\u2019s daily ration can get damp before it\u2019s ingested with no adverse health issues. Any feed that is moldy or looks \u201coff\u201d should be discarded.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">If you prefer your birds eat out of designated containers instead of scratching for their meals, nonfancy feed scoops can double as serving containers for a small flock. If your flock is larger, consider using 8-quart dishwashing tubs, gallon jugs cut in half or juice containers on their side with the top cut off to hold daily feed rations.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p5\">If buying in bulk, plastic, 55-gallon drums can store up to 250 pounds of chicken feed. If the top doesn\u2019t fit well, weigh it down with a cinder block or other heavy item you have around the farm. Plastic pickle barrels hold a bit less feed but have screw-on lids that keep feed secure from weather and vermin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p6\">Chicken keeping isn\u2019t overly complicated or expensive, but there are ways to cut costs that don\u2019t sacrifice quality of care. If you\u2019ve got some great cost-saving tips, email us at <a href=\"mailto:chickens@chickensmagazine.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chickens@chickensmagazine.com<\/a>. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>More Information<\/h2>\n<h5 class=\"p1\"><b>Repurposed Roosts<\/b><\/h5>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">A well-appointed hen house includes areas for the chickens to roost. While there are commercially available roosts, it\u2019s not difficult to find <\/span><span class=\"s2\">sturdy branches, dowel rods, spare 2-by-4s or even old ladders that can be repurposed as roosts.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"p1\"><b>Additional Money-Saving Measures<\/b><\/h5>\n<p class=\"p2\">Additional ways to save money while keeping chickens include the following.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p3\">Use old golf balls as artificial nest eggs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Cull old laying hens that are no longer productive.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Butcher on time so birds aren\u2019t fed longer than necessary.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Keep only one rooster for egg fertilization.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Hatch your own chicks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Raise bantam breeds. Smaller birds eat less.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p3\">Cook and feed extra eggs for added protein and calcium. (Just be sure that these eggs are cooked and crushed up\/scrambled so egg-eating isn\u2019t encouraged!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This article originally appeared in the July\/August 2023 issue of\u00a0<\/em>Chickens\u00a0<em>magazine.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Follow these money-saving tips to get the most out of your experience keeping chickens without losing your nest egg on poultry supplies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":111167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[424,10727,10458,10728,10456,10729],"tags":[11572],"class_list":["post-111161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animals","category-chicken-coops-and-housing","category-farm-garden","category-health-and-nutrition","category-poultry","category-poultry-equipment","tag-cost-saving-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.0 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cost-Saving Tips For Keeping Chickens &amp; 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