Found my old chicken catalog from 2018 and laughed at the prices

I was cleaning out the garage last weekend and came across a Murray McMurray catalog from three years ago. Back then, I paid about $15 for a dozen hatching eggs and thought that was steep. Now I see the same breeds going for $30 or more, if you can even find them in stock. My neighbor started raising chickens just last month and she was shocked at what feed costs compared to what I told her I used to pay. It makes me wonder how many new folks are getting into this hobby when the startup costs keep climbing. Has anyone else noticed their local feed store prices doubling over the last couple years?

2 comments

2 Comments

mason7981mo ago

Feed costs are nuts right now. Started my flock in 2016, paid like $12 for a 50lb bag. Same bag is pushing $20 now. You gotta buy in bulk if you can. Find a local co-op or split a pallet with neighbors. That helps a little. Hatching eggs got crazy too. I just trade with other folks now instead of buying. Keeps the bloodlines fresh and saves money.

robin_campbell361mo ago

Yeah, you're right about the bulk buying. I read somewhere that a lot of the smaller feed mills are dropping off the big stores because they can't compete with the prices on the grain markets. I heard from a buddy who works at a co-op that they're seeing more people switching to fermented feed too, just to stretch a bag longer. I've tried it myself and it does seem to make the feed go further, but your mileage may vary. The hatching egg trade thing is smart, I've been swapping for Silkie eggs with a guy down the road and it's way cheaper than what they want online.