Eggs as financial insulation

I might sound like a crazy lady around here when we get our first egg of the season. But this year it was on another level. Because it's insanely expensive for store bought eggs here in Michigan. Michigan went cage free and if you're so lucky to get eggs from the store, because it's super limited to find them here right now. And if you're in any egg section in Michigan store right now everyone is talking about getting chickens. 

That's a bit of a problem... It takes 5 months for the girls to start paying the rent (eggs). It's an investment if you've never had chickens. We were in a different place financially when we got chickens so we were able to spend 500 in infrastructure that we built ourselves to get started. So like each egg pays off .001% of this initial adventure. But we are in this for the long term so... I'm still saying financially it's not worth it the way we did it.

 Here is what I would do differently: aquire supplies for free. We had no business buying all new wood. There is always supplies available for free if you look. Be patient, it won't be built in a weekend. That's ok if your understanding is this is supposed to be an investment in security.

I wouldn't buy premium chickens. 

I wouldnt buy for egg color or pretty chickens. I would find a farm with backyard breed or go to tractor supply and get the 2 dollar birds (or even better clearance birds). I would invest in better feed for my birds 100x over what color they are or eggs they lay. 

Most egg layers lay about an egg every other day. If they fit that they'll work.

I wouldn't stress so much about heritage breeds and rather focus on getting sturdy for my area breeds. 

 Eggs won't feed you completely and you have to feed them really good food. But let me tell you once you have Those eggs from happy chickens who have a varied life and feed, you'll never go back. It's just not the same. 

I do love data so if you do as well and want to still focus on good breeds for what you want rather than the egg getting 😂 I got you I will link my spreadsheet for driving myself and family crazy trying to get the perfect breed. 

Chicken Vault