I do not understand the mathematics behind the dilemma. I’m assuming only the firts chicks cost money, because down the line they will breed.
But feeding them, housing them - vitamins and doctoring costs a lot of money.
So anyone with couple or more chickens - how much does it cost to have them on the table? And realistically how many eggs do you get?
You forgot the biggest impediment. Foxes and or coyotes. Doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of suburbia they’ll find you.
As I said elsewhere, I’ve had chickens multiple times. Coyotes and foxes never killed 1, neighborhood dogs are what learn they are there and if 2 out of 3 dogs don’t hurt them, the third dog will, and will be back every chance they get. You’ll tell their owner, the owner will be more careful, and they’ll still get out eventually. So you’ll have to shoot that dog and still live in that neighborhood
Shooting **any **pets in my state is a crime if they aren’t attacking humans.
I’m in Texas and have had neighbors dogs kill 3 of our birds. After the second time it happened the cops that came out to assess the property damage told us to shoot the dog next time it came into our yard - this is in a major city.
If your animal is on other people’s property murdering other animals and causing property damage you shouldn’t be allowed to keep that animal. Especially if there are kids in the neighborhood.
Yeah our neighbors dogs are now registered as an aggressive animal and a dangerous animal. One killed two birds and another killed a third bird and lashed out at me.
The neighbors effectively neglect the pups and don’t take them for walks or whatever. They get bored and chew through the fence to get to our flock.
Gotta be a responsible dog owner and keep the pup in your own yard…