Dogfish,

I started my chicken and livestock "career" when I was 14. All costs were a surprise to me. My business acumen wasn't so good in those days. But I bought more feed than I expected, had predation losses that I hadn't expected, and I had no idea that my project added to the household electric bill, and on and on. The only way I would have made a profit is if I had been able to externalize all my costs. Small scale farming is no way to make any money. I learned that lesson well. No worries. We'll plant a garden too, so we can eat some $5 a head lettuce, etc.

Sg