Backyard chickens are deeply rewarding, but anyone who tells you they are cheaper than buying eggs from the store is probably not accounting for all the costs. Feed is the largest ongoing expense, and understanding it accurately helps you make better decisions about flock size, feed type, and whether to prioritize production efficiency or other values like animal welfare or organic inputs.

The baseline math is simple: an adult chicken eats approximately a quarter pound of feed per day, or about 7.5 pounds per month. At a typical layer pellet price of $18 per 50-pound bag, a single hen costs about $2.70 per month in feed alone. A flock of six hens costs roughly $16 per month in feed, plus another $5-10 for treats, grit, calcium supplements, and bedding costs not included here.

What Drives Feed Costs

Feed type is the biggest variable. Standard layer pellets, typically priced at $15-20 per 50-pound bag, provide a complete nutritional profile designed for laying hens. Organic layer feed generally runs $30-40 per bag, nearly double the price. The nutritional difference between conventional and organic feed for eggs is debated, but many keepers choose organic for reasons of personal values or local resale appeal.

Scratch grains (a mix of cracked corn and other grains) are sometimes used as a supplement or treat but should not replace complete layer feed as the primary diet. They are lower in protein and lack the vitamin and mineral balance hens need for sustained laying and bone health.

The Real Cost Per Dozen

The cost-per-dozen metric is the most honest way to evaluate backyard chicken economics. Enter your flock size and estimated weekly egg production (use the egg production calculator above to estimate this) and the calculator will show you what you are actually paying per dozen.

A well-managed flock of six Rhode Island Reds in peak season might produce 28-35 eggs per week - about 2.5-3 dozen. At $16/month in feed plus $5 in treats, annual costs are around $252. With 130 dozen eggs per year, that is roughly $1.94 per dozen - competitive with mid-range store eggs, and better than comparable pastured eggs that often sell for $6-8/dozen.

Winter production drops sharply, which raises your cost-per-dozen significantly if you’re calculating based on year-round averages. Many keepers find that accounting for seasonal variation paints a more realistic picture of the true economics.

When the Economics Do Not Add Up

If your primary goal is financial savings, backyard chickens may disappoint you - especially once you factor in the upfront cost of a coop, waterers, feeders, and the time spent on daily care. The honest answer is that most people keep backyard chickens for reasons beyond economics: the quality and freshness of eggs, knowing exactly how their food is raised, the entertainment value of the birds, or the educational experience for children.

When you account for those values, the math looks very different. A flock that costs $300 per year to maintain but produces high-quality eggs, reduces kitchen waste, and brings daily enjoyment to a family is a good investment for the right household.

Ellen Barker has kept backyard chickens for over a decade and covers practical flock management at Chicken Keeper Guide.