2024 Meat Birds By the Numbers

Each year after the butchering event, we compile data and look at the numbers.  Although I'm a Finance major, I don't care for numbers much.  I'd much rather listen to and tell stories or read books or listen to interesting podcasts.  However, numbers actually tell a story.  I firmly believe in budgeting.  I don't believe in purchasing something unless you can afford it.  Wouldn't things be different if our government would ask the question, "Can we afford this?" before spending money on boondoggles that rob people's futures and livelihoods?  Off on a tangent, I'm sorry.

If you've followed us during our annual meat bird project, we weigh the birds weekly to see if they are growing and if they are going to hit our target weight within the specified time.  Things must be measurable so you can determine if you've succeeded in whatever your endeavor is.  Raising birds for slaughter is no different.

Prior to cutting up our birds, bagging and putting them into the deep freeze, we weigh them.  The crude tally below tells the story:

We butchered 32 birds.  The total carcass weight was 159.1 pounds yielding an average bird weight of 4.97 pounds.  The largest bird was 7.25 pounds and the runt of the litter was 4 pounds.  Actually, this year was a good year as far as weight.  A six pound bird usually yields a 4 pound carcass.  That's what we shoot for.  The fact that our smallest bird was our goal tells you that from a carcass weight standpoint, it was a good year.  

The other good thing was we had 0.00 mortality.  No birds died!  Usually, some die.  Normally, some of the baby chicks are weak and others crowd them and suffocate them.  That didn't happen this year.  They were all healthy and strong from the start.  If they do die, you want them to die very young so that you don't have a lot of feed invested.  We were fortunate this year as all lived until slaughter.

The next form we use gives details that we just find are interesting like days at slaughter, costs, etc.

It cost $319.35 or $10 per bird to get the bird to slaughter.  That includes costs of the baby chicks, feed, supplies.  Note that the chicken tractor is fully depreciated.  Our cost per pound is $2.01.  Quick comparison shopping shows our birds are cheaper than at Whole Foods (comparable bird), but Wal Mart Tyson Whole Chicken beats the pants off of ours in the price war.  Textbook example of economies of scale.   

Lastly, here is our feed cost itemized:

Over the eight weeks, we purchased a total of 10 sacks of Chick Grower at a total cost of $179.15.  There are some other factors that don't really factor in the analysis.  First, we think our birds are healthier.  They were out on grass in the sunshine.  No antibiotics.  No hormones.  No medicines.  No vaccines.  I think (until the day they died) they were happy birds.  Their blood, feathers, and guts no doubt improved the garden soil.  Finally, it's a great family project.  We can all work together to achieve a common goal, and we'll all enjoy great, healthy meals all year long.  These intangibles don't really show up in the accounting, but they're important, nonetheless.