Just for the heck of it started looking up chick availability, just the major hatcherys. Holy Moly!, prices are up there, if there's any available...pretty much 4 bucks apiece give or take, and those are the straight run over runs and leftovers. goes up from there. I must be long out of touch.... Hate to see what Tractor supply hits you up for....

For us our dozen chicks is a relatively cheap “hobby” that does provide some sustenance even if they’re $5/ea this year instead of $2. The food and related power bill for lamps and heated water containers are far more substantial for me.

My kids like to get a variety so we’ll have like 8 different kinds of chicks to get varying egg colors and be able to tell them apart easily. Happy trapping! ScottW

2.99

When I don't hatch, I buy from Hoovers through a mill store

Hoover isn't taking any more orders for this year.

I like that. It isn't always about the money.
I saw a sign on an empty cage that said 1.99 for cornish rocks. We'll see.

Was just quoted $3.50/pullet. Next available is early May

It's like they came from eggs or something at those kinds of prices!

Here's a breakdown of egg production costs by the closest hatchery to me, who I buy over hatch from occasionally.

"An average production of average brown egg type layers over an average life span is 25 dozen large eggs . White egg production is 30 dozen eggs. Average feed used to produce a dozen eggs is now 2.4 lbs. commercial feeds are priced at 9 cents per lb. With large scale feed operations . Cost of capital, variable costs , amortization of capital expense, labor, could add 50 cents per dozen. Distribution adds 10 per cent. Regulator costs take 10 per cent. Avian flu impacts the number off eggs produced probably adding cost increase of 30 cents per dozen . Still egg prices are overinflated affecting protein consumption of American consumers."

Keith

Pullets have been $3-5 each in my area for a few years.

Haven't priced any yet this year.

Probably get some in the next couple of weeks.