|
Item |
Unit |
Amount |
Price |
Total |
||
|
Income |
||||||
|
Dozen eggs produced (2) |
Dozen |
3208 |
$ 5.00 |
$ 16,041.67 |
||
|
Stewing hens |
80 |
$ 10.00 |
$ 800.00 |
|||
|
Total income |
$ 16,841.67 |
|||||
|
Cash expenses |
||||||
|
Chicks (3) |
per chick |
100 |
$ 2.50 |
$ 250.00 |
||
|
Feed |
||||||
|
Chick starter (4) |
50 lb bag |
12 |
$ 16.00 |
$ 192.00 |
||
|
Early bird grower (4) |
50 lb bag |
20 |
$ 15.00 |
$ 300.00 |
||
|
Layer feed (4) |
50 lb bag |
320 |
$ 14.00 |
$ 4,480.00 |
||
|
Egg cartons |
Each |
3208 |
$ 0.35 |
$ 1,122.92 |
||
|
Mileage to slaughter facility (6) |
Miles |
40 |
$ 0.50 |
$ 20.00 |
||
|
Slaughter fee (7) |
Per bird |
80 |
$ 3.50 |
$ 280.00 |
||
|
Total expenses |
$ 6,644.92 |
|||||
|
Total cash expense per dozen |
$ 2.07 |
|||||
|
Income over cash expenses |
$ 10,196.75 |
|||||
|
Labor hours (8) |
0.5 hrs/day |
730 days |
365 |
|||
|
Profit per hour |
$ 27.94 |
|||||
|
Other required resources |
||||||
|
Housing startup costs (9) |
$ 1,500.00 |
|||||
|
Feeder & waterer startup costs (10) |
$ 250.00 |
|||||
|
Brooding heaters/heat lamps & miscellaneous startup costs |
$ 200.00 |
|||||
|
Assumptions |
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This budget was developed by Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist, University of Maryland Extension. It is based on his personal experience and in consultation with other small flock producers. Small flock production is highly variable. Good management is important for efficiency. Some producers will be less efficient while others will be more efficient.
(1)This budget is based on a two-year lifespan. Some producers keep hens 3-4 years, but egg production will diminish dramatically.
(2) Out of two years, 180 days are required for raising chicks and molting. Production is calculated as 550 day x 100 hens x 70% egg yield. This includes 20% mortality over 2 years.
(3) Chick prices are highly variable. Local hatcheries often have cheapest chicks. Make sure quality is good and that chicks are vaccinated for Marek’s disease and Coccidiosis.
(4) Bagged feed from reputable feed company. Bulk feed may be cheaper. If chicks are vaccinated then medicated, feed in unnecessary. The feed conversion ratio in this budget is about 5 pounds of feed to 1 dozen eggs (200 lbs. per week per 100 hens)
(5) Heat bulbs generally last one flock. Careful handling may extend life.
(6) Most backyard producers prefer to have birds slaughtered by someone else. If this is your desire, then make sure there is a facility within reasonable distance.
(7) 80 stewing hens based on 20% mortality over life of flock.
(8) 30 minutes a day to take care of flock. This includes feeding, collecting eggs and cleaning eggs.
(9) Housing expenses are highly variable. This includes a chicken coop and poly wire netting electric fence. Coop - $1,000 and fencing - $500 will last several years.
(10) Feeders and waterers at estimated cost of $250 will last several years.
