Raising backyard chickens has become a common choice for homesteaders, gardeners, and families who want a bit more independence in how they source their food. Fresh eggs, natural pest control, and nutrient-rich compost for the garden all add to the appeal, along with the simple satisfaction of producing food at home.
But once you move past the appeal, a bigger question comes up: are backyard chicken eggs actually cheaper than store-bought ones? At first glance, keeping a few hens seems like an easy way to cut grocery costs. In reality, feed, housing, and ongoing care can shift that picture more than expected.
This article breaks down the real cost of keeping chickens and whether the eggs they produce are truly a money-saver.
Chicken Coop: $200-$600
The coop is the heart of your chicken operation, providing a safe, dry space for your chickens to sleep, lay eggs, and escape predators.
A pre-made coop suitable for six hens can set you back up to $600. If you’re handy at DIY, the materials for a basic coop will cost around $200.
Run: $100-$500
A chicken run is an outdoor space where your chickens can roam and forage safely. It keeps them safe from predators and prevents them from wreaking havoc in areas where they are not welcome. A small, prefabricated chicken run can cost around $100, but added features like protective roofing can push the price up.
Feeder and Waterer: $30-$200
A simple plastic feeder or waterer for 6 hens typically costs around $15, while automated systems range from $50-$200.
Real Chickens: $18-$180 (price for six)
Once you’ve got the basics in place, you’ll need to buy some chickens! The price for day-old chicks typically ranges from $3 to $6 per chick, while adult point-of-lay hens can cost anywhere from $10 to $30 each, depending on the breed.
Feed: $22.50-$36 per month
Feed is one of the most significant ongoing expenses in raising chickens – they really do eat a surprising amount! On average, an adult laying hen consumes about 0.25 pounds of feed per day. So, for six hens, that’s about 1.5 pounds of feed daily or roughly 45 pounds of feed per month.
Prices for good-quality chicken feed vary, but expect to pay $0.50 to $0.80 per pound for an organic mix. Feeding your flock of six hens would cost $22.50 to $36 per month.
Water: $2-$5 per month
Chickens need access to fresh, clean water every day and will drink up to 1 pint daily if fed a cereal-only diet. The cost is generally minimal, but budget for a $2-$5 per month raise in your water bill.
Bedding: $5-$10 per month
Bedding on the floor of the coop helps to keep the environment clean and hygienic. Expect to spend $5 to $10 per month on wood shavings, straw, or pine pellets.
Healthcare: $5-$10 per month
Healthcare can be difficult to budget for. A healthy flock costs very little to maintain, but an outbreak of ill health or parasite issues can soon send costs skyrocketing. Set aside $5-$10 per month to build up a savings pot in case of healthcare emergencies.
Electricity: $10-$30 per month
If you’re using heat lamps or heated waterers or need extra lighting for your chickens, you may notice an increase of up to $30 per month in your electricity bills.
Egg Production vs. Purchase
So, how do these figures add up compared to buying eggs from the store? Let’s do the math!
- Total Initial Setup Costs: $348-$1,480 initial setup costs
- Total Ongoing Costs: $34.50 to $91 per month for six hens
Realistically, most hens lay an average of four eggs per week over the year. Based on this you can expect to collect around 104 eggs per month from your flock of six hens, costing $34.50 to $91 in feed, bedding, and other consumables.
The price of eggs can fluctuate widely, but organic eggs typically retail at $4 to $7 per dozen. So, to buy the equivalent number of eggs from the store would cost $35-$60 per month – not all that different from our home-produced eggs!
Bear in mind that this is a very simplified costing, and many variables can affect how much it costs to rear backyard chickens. Younger hens will often lay five or six eggs per week, making them more profitable, but as they grow older, production will slow down.
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