This document summarizes information from an organic poultry symposium, including brooding methods, costs of raising chickens from day-old to laying age, and costs associated with egg production. Key points include the costs to brood chicks for the first 4 weeks, costs to raise pullets from 5 to 20 weeks, costs to raise hens from 21 to 72 weeks, and the net profit per hen of $20.40 over 51 weeks of egg production. Processing costs of $5 per bird are also outlined.

1. Organic
Poultry Symposium
ACORN Jan. 24, 2017

2. Polyface Hen Life

6. Brooding at Barnyard Organics

7. Summer broilers:
-2 weeks under lamps
-1 week in brooder, no
direct warmth
-1 week in open pen
-Moved outside

10. COP BROODING
$5.10 for pullet day 1 to 4 weeks.
$4.79 for broiler day 1 to 4 weeks.
Based on 165 chicks
• Feed- 200kg @ $240
• Labour-9.25 hrs @ $15/hr
• Electricity, bedding, chick

11. Outdoor Shelters

14. |---------------------10 feet ------------------|
|-------------------7feet-----------------|

21. Moving, Feeding, Watering
The ‘Good’ Ol Days

23. Pony pump from
Princess Auto + 1” fuel
hose + elbow to hook
over bucket.

25. 2015
Winter Shelter for Laying Flock

26. 2016

27. COP- Pullets
$9.27 from 5 weeks to 20 weeks*
Based on 165 pullets
• Feed- 1 tonne @ $1018
• Labour-26.5 hrs @ $15/hr
• Electricity, Bedding
Total cost to raise pullet to 20 weeks, before overhead is $14.55

28. COP- Hens
$57.30 from 21 weeks to 72 weeks
Based on 165 hens
• Feed- 8 tonne @ $998/tonne
• Labour- 178 hrs @ $15/hr
• Electricity, Bedding, Fuel (for pasture)

29. HENS & EGGS & MONEY OH MY!

31. Quickly apparent that clean eggs are
a major key to labour savings and
better COP on eggs.

34. Egg Washing @ Polyface

35. Hen brings in $96.25 over 51 weeks of eggs
Hen costs $75
Net Profit per Hen =$20.40 = 21% margin
The includes labour, infrastructure, feeding, egg
handling/packing/cartons/labels, electricity, etc.
Now to get them to market. :)
COP EGGS

36. Rent the Chicken

37. Pick up and delivery, 2 bags of feed, some sawdust,

39. $$

40. Pasture

47. • Certification application
• Feed records
• Mortality record
• Processing records
• Purchase records (ie. chicks)
• Sales records
• Production notes (ie. when administered ACV, etc.)

51. Broilers

53. Our feed mix= barley, soybean, field peas, wheat, oats, corn
Mineral mix includes probiotic.
Starter= 21% protein
Grower= 18% protein
Layer mash= 17% protein

54. a sidebar about feed
• Solutions to feed challenges
– Buy in bulk
– Have consultation with nutrionist
– Cheap feed mill- serve others, buy whole grains
– Sprouting whole grains
– Quality is worth it- if the chickens won’t eat it, it’s a waste all around.
– Explain costs to customers- non-GMO means something to a lot of
people.

55. • Apple Cider Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Kelp
• Diatomacheous Earth (added to dust bath)
• “Shell” & “Grit” in the winter for layer hens
• Stalosan (kaolin clay) for ammonia

57. Processing- Have a hand in it; literally

63. Processing- COP
Price- $5/bird + $1/shrink bag
40 birds/hr = $200 revenue/hr
Cost/hr = $106
• Labour - $60/hr (3 people incl. clean up)
• Propane- $3
• Infrastructure (cooler & equip)- $40
• Bags- $2.65 (for 40)
Margin = 47%

73. Value of manure?
Lifestyle?
Delicious, quality, food security?
Family involvement?