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  5. Self-Reliance: How do you?

Self-Reliance: How do you?

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  • RafterWR Offline
    RafterWR Offline
    RafterW
    Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron Big Green Egg
    wrote on last edited by
    #190

    For anyone interested, here are my numbers on the chickens. Some of the final stats on total feed consumed and feed per bird consumed are estimates at this time but should come in pretty close:

    2da4dd05-e397-430f-8453-7d7a34768e9b-image.png

    Estimated Feed Conversion Ratio (live weight, processed weight): 3.09:1, 4.29:1
    Estimated gross carcass percentage: 0.72%

    If these numbers do hold true, this will be a very high performing group, compared to the breed standard.

    Matt W.

    zbigjeffZ B cdavisC 3 Replies Last reply
    2
    • RafterWR RafterW

      For anyone interested, here are my numbers on the chickens. Some of the final stats on total feed consumed and feed per bird consumed are estimates at this time but should come in pretty close:

      2da4dd05-e397-430f-8453-7d7a34768e9b-image.png

      Estimated Feed Conversion Ratio (live weight, processed weight): 3.09:1, 4.29:1
      Estimated gross carcass percentage: 0.72%

      If these numbers do hold true, this will be a very high performing group, compared to the breed standard.

      zbigjeffZ Offline
      zbigjeffZ Offline
      zbigjeff
      Sous Vide Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron
      wrote on last edited by zbigjeff
      #191

      RafterW Really nice grid to know where all the money is going. Great job. Betcha many do not generate information like that at all. Then, they wonder???

      RafterWR 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • zbigjeffZ zbigjeff

        RafterW Really nice grid to know where all the money is going. Great job. Betcha many do not generate information like that at all. Then, they wonder???

        RafterWR Offline
        RafterWR Offline
        RafterW
        Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron Big Green Egg
        wrote on last edited by
        #192

        zbigjeff yeah, you’ve got to have a good idea of costs before you start in on something new, in my opinion. This group isn’t going to be sold, or at least not for much profit, just selling to friends and family at my cost and time. It should scale pretty nicely, raising 400-500 in a season really isn’t much more work than 50, especially with a processing partner, they still need food, water, shelter and moved every so often.

        Matt W.

        zbigjeffZ 1 Reply Last reply
        1
        • RafterWR RafterW

          zbigjeff yeah, you’ve got to have a good idea of costs before you start in on something new, in my opinion. This group isn’t going to be sold, or at least not for much profit, just selling to friends and family at my cost and time. It should scale pretty nicely, raising 400-500 in a season really isn’t much more work than 50, especially with a processing partner, they still need food, water, shelter and moved every so often.

          zbigjeffZ Offline
          zbigjeffZ Offline
          zbigjeff
          Sous Vide Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron
          wrote on last edited by
          #193

          RafterW RE: Your opinion regarding “idea of costs”. I ran an accountant and tax service for a number of small-mid size businesses on the side in the past. All of the businesses that did not breakdown their costs were done within 3-6 years and only 2 who were diligent went down. But, it took them around 8 years. There are 8 businesses who did control the costs (granularly) are still operating today. I’m out of that side business now. In conclusion: Your “humble opinion” is spot on. SMILE!!!

          1 Reply Last reply
          1
          • Tex_77T Offline
            Tex_77T Offline
            Tex_77
            Team Blue Power User Traeger Primo Grills PK Grills Canning Sous Vide Community Moderator
            wrote on last edited by Tex_77
            #194

            RafterW is going to need to hire a high powered CPA to keeps his books, I think I know a couple who could do it for you!

            Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

            RafterWR 1 Reply Last reply
            2
            • Tex_77T Tex_77

              RafterW is going to need to hire a high powered CPA to keeps his books, I think I know a couple who could do it for you!

              RafterWR Offline
              RafterWR Offline
              RafterW
              Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron Big Green Egg
              wrote on last edited by
              #195

              Tex_77 You’d just “cook my books” which probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea!

              Matt W.

              Tex_77T processheadP 2 Replies Last reply
              2
              • RafterWR RafterW

                Tex_77 You’d just “cook my books” which probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea!

                Tex_77T Offline
                Tex_77T Offline
                Tex_77
                Team Blue Power User Traeger Primo Grills PK Grills Canning Sous Vide Community Moderator
                wrote on last edited by
                #196

                RafterW it’s all about massaging the numbers and walking the line.

                Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

                1 Reply Last reply
                1
                • RafterWR RafterW

                  Tex_77 You’d just “cook my books” which probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea!

                  processheadP Offline
                  processheadP Offline
                  processhead
                  Regular Contributors Power User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #197

                  RafterW said in Self-Reliance: How do you?:

                  Tex_77 You’d just “cook my books” which probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea!

                  As any good accountant will tell you, you need to keep as many extra sets of books as is required to keep your business profitable. lol

                  Paul

                  Tex_77T 1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • processheadP processhead

                    RafterW said in Self-Reliance: How do you?:

                    Tex_77 You’d just “cook my books” which probably wouldn’t be such a bad idea!

                    As any good accountant will tell you, you need to keep as many extra sets of books as is required to keep your business profitable. lol

                    Tex_77T Offline
                    Tex_77T Offline
                    Tex_77
                    Team Blue Power User Traeger Primo Grills PK Grills Canning Sous Vide Community Moderator
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #198

                    processhead Correct the real set, the set for the bank, and the set for the IRS.

                    Isaiah 5:22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    3
                    • RafterWR RafterW

                      For anyone interested, here are my numbers on the chickens. Some of the final stats on total feed consumed and feed per bird consumed are estimates at this time but should come in pretty close:

                      2da4dd05-e397-430f-8453-7d7a34768e9b-image.png

                      Estimated Feed Conversion Ratio (live weight, processed weight): 3.09:1, 4.29:1
                      Estimated gross carcass percentage: 0.72%

                      If these numbers do hold true, this will be a very high performing group, compared to the breed standard.

                      B Offline
                      B Offline
                      bocephus
                      Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Veteran
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #199

                      RafterW That is good notes on your process. I raised chickens one year with a friend, it was a long time ago but we were lucky, we got corn screenings from grain driers in the area. Farmers were happy to let us come in and scoop them up.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • RafterWR RafterW

                        For anyone interested, here are my numbers on the chickens. Some of the final stats on total feed consumed and feed per bird consumed are estimates at this time but should come in pretty close:

                        2da4dd05-e397-430f-8453-7d7a34768e9b-image.png

                        Estimated Feed Conversion Ratio (live weight, processed weight): 3.09:1, 4.29:1
                        Estimated gross carcass percentage: 0.72%

                        If these numbers do hold true, this will be a very high performing group, compared to the breed standard.

                        cdavisC Offline
                        cdavisC Offline
                        cdavis
                        Team Blue Big Green Egg Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #200

                        RafterW no where close to your adventure but I got 10 new soon to be laying hens.20220622_193441.jpg my other hens are getting old. Soon to be noodle soup and broth.

                        zbigjeffZ B C 3 Replies Last reply
                        4
                        • cdavisC cdavis

                          RafterW no where close to your adventure but I got 10 new soon to be laying hens.20220622_193441.jpg my other hens are getting old. Soon to be noodle soup and broth.

                          zbigjeffZ Offline
                          zbigjeffZ Offline
                          zbigjeff
                          Sous Vide Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #201

                          cdavis A number of you are bypassing the current chicken issues and going right to the source yourselves. I applaud all of you for that effort.

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • cdavisC cdavis

                            RafterW no where close to your adventure but I got 10 new soon to be laying hens.20220622_193441.jpg my other hens are getting old. Soon to be noodle soup and broth.

                            B Offline
                            B Offline
                            bocephus
                            Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Veteran
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #202

                            cdavis I foresee eggs in the near future.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            1
                            • cdavisC cdavis

                              RafterW no where close to your adventure but I got 10 new soon to be laying hens.20220622_193441.jpg my other hens are getting old. Soon to be noodle soup and broth.

                              C Offline
                              C Offline
                              calldoctoday
                              Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #203

                              cdavis You are smart keeping them in that nice fenced area. We have had up to about 30 over the years, but now down to only three & certainly not the production we used to see. We have a good run around the hen house, but like to let them free range too & that is where the problems start. I would like to get another flock of guinea hens too, but need to figure out how to get critter control at 110%.

                              B cdavisC 2 Replies Last reply
                              0
                              • C calldoctoday

                                cdavis You are smart keeping them in that nice fenced area. We have had up to about 30 over the years, but now down to only three & certainly not the production we used to see. We have a good run around the hen house, but like to let them free range too & that is where the problems start. I would like to get another flock of guinea hens too, but need to figure out how to get critter control at 110%.

                                B Offline
                                B Offline
                                Brianzipperdog123
                                Yearling
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #204

                                calldoctoday you need to know about my friend Robert C Baker who invented chicken fingers and never made a nickel as he published the process for everyone to use.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • C calldoctoday

                                  cdavis You are smart keeping them in that nice fenced area. We have had up to about 30 over the years, but now down to only three & certainly not the production we used to see. We have a good run around the hen house, but like to let them free range too & that is where the problems start. I would like to get another flock of guinea hens too, but need to figure out how to get critter control at 110%.

                                  cdavisC Offline
                                  cdavisC Offline
                                  cdavis
                                  Team Blue Big Green Egg Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #205

                                  calldoctoday these will free range in another week or so. I have 3 dogs that keep the varmints away and a big red rooster 🐓 with a nice set of spurs to keep the dogs off of the chickens 🐔. 20220622_193805.jpg

                                  B C 2 Replies Last reply
                                  6
                                  • cdavisC cdavis

                                    calldoctoday these will free range in another week or so. I have 3 dogs that keep the varmints away and a big red rooster 🐓 with a nice set of spurs to keep the dogs off of the chickens 🐔. 20220622_193805.jpg

                                    B Offline
                                    B Offline
                                    bocephus
                                    Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Veteran
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #206

                                    cdavis That rooster does have some spurs, dogs better stay away.

                                    cdavisC 1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • cdavisC cdavis

                                      calldoctoday these will free range in another week or so. I have 3 dogs that keep the varmints away and a big red rooster 🐓 with a nice set of spurs to keep the dogs off of the chickens 🐔. 20220622_193805.jpg

                                      C Offline
                                      C Offline
                                      calldoctoday
                                      Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #207

                                      cdavis I always thought the healers would be able to keep em all away, guess I did not have enough of them. Have some of those Cubalaya roosters too, some of them have had some darn right wicked spurs.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • B bocephus

                                        cdavis That rooster does have some spurs, dogs better stay away.

                                        cdavisC Offline
                                        cdavisC Offline
                                        cdavis
                                        Team Blue Big Green Egg Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #208

                                        bocephus it didn’t take him long to teach the dogs to take a wide path around his hens. Now they all just get along.

                                        zbigjeffZ 1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • cdavisC cdavis

                                          bocephus it didn’t take him long to teach the dogs to take a wide path around his hens. Now they all just get along.

                                          zbigjeffZ Offline
                                          zbigjeffZ Offline
                                          zbigjeff
                                          Sous Vide Team Blue Power User Regular Contributors Cast Iron
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #209

                                          cdavis What did you do? Stick a rooster right out in front of the fence?

                                          cdavisC 1 Reply Last reply
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