raising chickens for meat
Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 11:31 am
I love eating chicken but the guilt of buying lidl chiken is getting too much. So I've been thinking of rearing some myself. I was thinking of buying a set of ebay eggs and hatching them, see how that goes in terms of how much they need feeding and how fast they put on weight. Then keeping a cockerel and a few hens from that batch to breed from.
I've bought and hatched ebay eggs before with success, and currently have a few ducks and hens in a fox-proof (as much as that is possible) enclosure that's about 25x25m.
I was wondering if anyone has an estimate of how much it costs to raise an average chicken to say 2kg? I know it's going to be more than the supermarket, which is OK because I'm really just trying to find a way to get to eat chicken without feeling guilty, rather than save money. But if it's stupidly expensive maybe I should just stick to eating roe deer when I feel carnivorous!
Also, what is a good breed to pick? And can I give them layers pellets like my other birds or will they need different food?
Any advice much appreciated :)
I've bought and hatched ebay eggs before with success, and currently have a few ducks and hens in a fox-proof (as much as that is possible) enclosure that's about 25x25m.
I was wondering if anyone has an estimate of how much it costs to raise an average chicken to say 2kg? I know it's going to be more than the supermarket, which is OK because I'm really just trying to find a way to get to eat chicken without feeling guilty, rather than save money. But if it's stupidly expensive maybe I should just stick to eating roe deer when I feel carnivorous!
Also, what is a good breed to pick? And can I give them layers pellets like my other birds or will they need different food?
Any advice much appreciated :)