How Much Does it Cost to Raise Chickens for Eggs?

Raising chickens for fresh eggs can be a challenging, rewarding, and sustainable way to enjoy homegrown food, but many chicken enthusiasts wonder: how much does it actually cost?

The short answer is that it depends on the number of chickens raised. If you raise 3 to 5 chickens, the feeding cost will be $15 to $20 per month.

It is just a feeding cost. Other expenses, from buying chicks to providing housing and ongoing care, can make the costs of raising chickens higher than expected.

Whether you’re considering starting a small backyard flock or raising chickens just for eggs, understanding the right costs can help you plan for the perfect balance of eggs and expenses.

Let’s break down the key factors and help you decide if raising chickens for eggs is right for you!

Here’s a general breakdown of the costs involved:

Initial Setup Costs:

• Chicken Coop: Coops can range from $150 to over $200. You can build one yourself or buy a built-in coop.
• Feeders and Waterers: Usually, a 5-litre drinker & 10 kg feeder are enough for 5 to 10 chickens These cost around $10–$30 for basic models.
• Chickens Cost: The cost of chicks or hens can vary by breed and age. A day-old chick usually costs $3–$5, while pullets (ready to lay eggs) can cost $25–$50. You’ll need at least 3-4 hens for a good egg supply.
• Bedding: Straw or wood shavings cost $5–$23 per bale or bag.

Ongoing Costs:

• Feed: A 50-pound bag of layer feed costs about $15–$25.
  • Each chicken eats about 1/4 pound of feed per day, so a bag would last 10 chickens for about 20 days.
• Supplements: To keep your chickens healthy, you might add calcium, grit, or other vitamins, which could cost about $5–$10 per month.
• Bedding Replacement: Bedding needs regular replacement, adding a cost of $5–$15 per month.
• Electricity and Heating (if needed): If you live in a cold climate, you might need a heat lamp or coop heater, which could add to your electricity bill.

Estimating Costs:

• Initial setup: $400–$800 (coop, feeders, chickens, etc.)
• Monthly feed and bedding: $30–$50
• Yearly feed cost for 10 chickens: $360–$600

How Much Do Chickens Eat?

When raising chickens for eggs, one of the most significant costs is chicken feed. Understanding how much chickens eat helps you plan your budget and ensures your flock stays healthy and productive.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of a chicken’s diet and how much they typically consume.

Daily Feed Consumption

On average, an adult laying hen eats about (0.22 to 0.33 pounds) (100 to 150 grams) of feed per day. This amount can vary based on factors such as the chicken’s size, breed, and activity level.

If hens stay inside the coop all the time, they eat less than the amount mentioned above.

High-producing breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Austrawhite, Minorcas or Leghorns may eat a little more because they lay eggs more frequently and need extra energy.

To give you a better idea, here’s how much feed you can expect for a small flock:

• 5 chickens will consume around 1.25 pounds (0.57 kg) of feed daily.
• 10 chickens will need about 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) of feed daily.
• 20 chickens will eat approximately 5 pounds (2.27 kg) of feed each day.

Weekly and Monthly Feed Requirements

If you’re planning for the longer term, you can calculate weekly or monthly feed costs. For example:

• Per week: Each chicken will eat around 1.75 pounds (0.79 kg) of feed.
• Per month: Each chicken will require approximately 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg) of feed.

For a flock of 10 chickens, you’ll need around 25 pounds (11.3 kg) of feed per week or about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) per month.

Types of Chicken Feed

Different types of feed are used depending on the age and purpose of the chicken. Laying hens typically consume:

1. Layer Feed: Layer feed is usually given to chickens when they are 18 weeks old.
   • This feed is formulated with calcium and protein to get healthy egg production. It typically contains around 15-19% crude protein.
2. Scratch Grains: This feed consists of cracked corn, sunflower seeds, barley, oats, and mixed grains.
   • This is not their main food, but you can give it to them occasionally.
3. Supplements: Oyster shells or grit help with calcium intake for strong eggshells, but these are consumed in smaller amounts.
4. Free-Range Diet: If your chickens spend most of their time outside the chicken coop, they might eat less commercial feed.
   • They will be consuming bugs, grass, and small plants, which can help reduce your feed bill.

Factors Affecting Feed Consumption

Chickens’ food consumption is influenced by several factors.

1. Breed: Larger breeds such as Orpingtons or Brahmas consume more than smaller breeds like Bantams.
2. Egg Production: Hens that laying eggs consume more feed due to the energy needed for egg production.
3. Weather: Chickens tend to eat more in colder weather as they need extra calories to maintain their body heat, while in hot weather, their feed consumption might decrease.

Space Requirements for Chickens:

Chickens need both indoor (coop) and outdoor (run) space. Here’s a basic guideline:

Indoor Space (Chicken Coop):

• Minimum space per chicken: 3-4 square feet inside the coop.
• Example: For 5 chickens, you need at least 10-15 square feet in the coop.

Outdoor Space (Chicken Run):

• Minimum space per chicken: 8-10 square feet in the run.
• Example: For 5 chickens, you need 40-50 square feet of outdoor space for them to roam.

Chicken Coop Space Breakdown

The chicken coop is where your hens will sleep, lay eggs, and take shelter. This space must be well-ventilated, predator-proof, and spacious enough for comfort.

Here’s a quick list for easy planning based on the number of chickens you have:

Number of Chickens: 5

• Coop Size Needed: 10-12 square feet
• Run Size Needed: 40-48 square feet
• Roosting Bar Length: 4 feet of total roosting space
• Nesting Boxes: 2 boxes for 5 hens

Number of Chickens	Minimum Coop Size (Square Feet)
3 Chickens	6 – 8 sq. ft.
5 Chickens	10 – 12 sq. ft.
10 Chickens	20 – 30 sq. ft.
15 Chickens	42 – 48 sq. ft.

How Many Eggs Will My Chickens Lay?

One of the most exciting aspects of raising chickens is the fresh eggs they provide. After considering the entire cost what will be the outcome of this investment?

Alright, generally, it depends on your chicken’s breed. However, the number of eggs your chickens will lay depends on several factors, including age, health, and environment.

Some chicken breeds are known for high egg production, while others lay fewer eggs.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of different breeds and how many eggs they lay.

Breed	Egg Production per Year
Leghorn	280-320 eggs
Rhode Island Red	250-300 eggs
Sussex	250-280 eggs
Australorp	250-280 eggs
Golden Comet	280-320 eggs
Plymouth Rock	200-250 eggs
Buff Orpington	200-250 eggs
Wyandotte	180-220 eggs
Marans	150-200 eggs
Silkie	100-120 eggs
Brahma	120-150 eggs

Factors Affecting Egg Production

Before diving into breed-specific numbers, it’s important to understand what influences how many eggs your chickens will lay:

1. Breed: Some breeds are specifically bred for egg-laying, while others are dual-purpose (for both meat and eggs).
2. Age: Chickens typically start laying at around 5-6 months of age. Peak egg production usually happens in the first two years, after which it gradually declines over time.
3. Health: Healthy chickens will lay more eggs.

Age of Chicken	Percentage of Peak Production
6 months – 2 years	100% (Peak production)
2-3 years	80-90%
3-4 years	60-80%
4-5 years	50-70%
5+ years	40-50% or fewer

Top Egg-Laying Breeds:

If you’re looking for maximum egg production, the following breeds are your best bet:

1. Leghorn: Leghorns can produce 280-320 eggs per year. They lay large white eggs and are often used in commercial egg production.
2. Golden Comet: These hens are famous for egg production and can lay 280-300 brown eggs annually. They are known for being excellent layers even in the first year.
3. Rhode Island Red: One of the most popular backyard breeds, they produce 250-300 brown eggs annually and are good for beginners.
4. Australorp: These friendly chickens are known for their consistent egg-laying, producing 250-300 eggs per year.

Is It Cheaper to Raise Chickens or Buy Eggs?

This is a common question for anyone considering backyard chickens.

Raising chickens for eggs comes with both benefits and costs, and whether it’s cheaper to raise chickens or buy eggs depends on several factors.

Cost of Buying Eggs

The cost of store-bought eggs varies, but on average:

• Conventional eggs: $2 to $3 per dozen.
• Organic/free-range eggs: $3 to $4 per dozen.

Comparison: Raising Chickens vs. Buying Eggs

Raising Chickens:

• Initial setup: $500 (coop, fencing, and hens).
• Monthly expenses: $30 for feed, and $10 for bedding.
• Annual costs: $360 (feed and bedding) + possible health expenses ($50).

If you spend $910 in the first year to raise 6 hens, and they produce 1,500 eggs (about 125 dozen), your cost per dozen eggs is roughly $7.28 in the first year.

Buying Eggs:

• Conventional eggs: $3 per dozen × 125 dozen = $375.
• Organic eggs: $5 per dozen × 125 dozen = $625.

Is It Cheaper?

• First Year: Raising chickens is more expensive in the first year due to setup costs. You’ll likely pay more per dozen eggs than you would by purchasing them.
• After the First Year: Once setup costs are covered, the ongoing expenses (feed, bedding) make raising chickens more affordable. Your cost per dozen eggs can drop significantly, especially compared to organic store-bought eggs.

Non-Financial Benefits of Raising Chickens

• Fresh Eggs: You get fresh, nutrient-rich eggs daily.
• Control Over Quality: You know what your chickens eat and how they are cared for.
• Sustainability: Raising chickens can be more eco-friendly, reducing your reliance on store-bought goods.
• Fun & Educational: Chickens are fun to raise and a good source of fun for kids.
• Pest Control: Chickens can help keep your home free of pests and small insects by eating them. This is because pests and bacteria cannot thrive where chickens live.

Writer Opinion:

According to my experience, raising chickens for eggs is a cost-effective method. It involves a one-time investment, and you’ll continue to get eggs for many years from the same hens with minimal feed cost.

I have four hens and two roosters at my home. Three of my hens lay eggs every day, but one of them, which is 2 years old, lays eggs every 2 or 3 days.

So, if you want to get fresh eggs instead of buying from the store, then raising chicken is a good option.

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