The Real Cost of Raising Backyard Chickens for Fresh Eggs

An Introduction to Raising Backyard Chickens for Eggs

With grocery prices on the rise, more people are looking into raising their own chickens for a constant supply of fresh eggs. Backyard chickens can be a fun and rewarding way to produce your own food at home. However, there are costs and responsibilities associated with keeping chickens that need to be considered.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the costs of raising chickens for eggs. We'll cover start-up costs like coops, feed and chickens, as well as ongoing expenses like food, vet bills and maintenance. You'll learn what it really takes to keep a small flock of egg-laying hens.

The Benefits of Raising Backyard Chickens

Here are some of the main advantages of keeping chickens for eggs:

• Farm fresh eggs - Eggs from backyard chickens are fresher and many people find they taste better than store-bought eggs.
• Know what you're eating - You can control the quality of eggs when you raise your own chickens.
• Sustainability - Chicken manure makes excellent fertilizer for gardens. Feeding kitchen scraps to chickens reduces food waste.
• Educational for kids - Caring for chickens teaches children responsibility and about where food comes from.
• Fun hobby - Chickens have unique personalities and are entertaining to watch.
• Zoning laws permit - Many urban and suburban areas allow small backyard flocks.

Things to Consider Before Getting Backyard Chickens

While enjoyable and rewarding, keeping chickens does require an investment of time, money and work. Here are some things to think about first:

• Check local ordinances - Make sure chickens are legal in your area before buying any.
• Space requirements - Chickens need an adequately sized coop and outdoor run.
• Time commitment - Chickens need daily care for food, water, cleaning coop, collecting eggs, etc.
• No vacations - Chickens need daily attention, so you need help when away.
• Vet costs - Chickens can get sick or injured and need medical care.
• Dealing with pests - May have issues with rodents/predators attracted to flock.
• Noisy or smelly - Roosters crowing and coop cleanliness considerations.

Start-Up Costs for Chicken Keeping

When starting a backyard flock, there are several upfront expenses to factor in. The major categories of start-up costs include:

Chicken Coop

One of your biggest initial investments will be a chicken coop. Chickens need a safe place to sleep and lay eggs. Coops provide shelter from weather, predators and give them a roosting spot at night.

For 3-5 chickens, plan on a coop that's at least 4-5 square feet per chicken. There are several options:

• Build your own coop - Can be customized but requires carpentry skills. Expect to spend $300-$800 on supplies.
• Buy a prefab coop - Affordable and easy but more basic. $400-$1000 depending on size.
• Convert a shed - Around $150 to add roosts, nest boxes and ventilation to a storage shed.

Besides the structure itself, also factor in materials for flooring, roosts, nesting boxes and travel costs if you can't build the coop on site.

Outdoor Run or Chicken Tractor

In addition to a coop, chickens need space to roam outdoors. Options for giving them outdoor access include:

• Fenced yard - Ideal option but requires dedicating yard space.
• Chicken run - Fenced in outdoor area attached to coop.
• Chicken tractor - Portable coop that can be moved around yard.

If building a separate run, the minimum recommended size is 10 square feet per chicken. Chicken tractors typically range from $300-$800 depending on size.

Chickens

Buying baby chicks versus mature hens is a key cost factor. Baby chicks cost $3-$5 each but take 5-6 months to start laying eggs. Buying grown pullets for $15-$25 each means they lay eggs sooner, but not right away.

Decide how many chickens you need based on your egg demands. On average, you can expect:

• 3-4 eggs per week per chicken
• 20-30 eggs per week from 5 chickens
• 35-50 eggs per week from 10 chickens

Also factor in any local limits on flock size. Get only female chickens (hens) if your goal is egg production rather than meat.

Supplies

You'll need supplies for feeding, watering and cleaning up after chickens. Expect to spend $150-$300 on essentials like:

• Feeders
• Waterers
• Starter feed
• Bedding
• Nest boxes
• Cleaning tools

Total Start-Up Cost

Altogether, starting a backyard flock typically costs:

• Coop: $400-$1000
• Run: $300-$800
• Chickens: $15-$100
• Supplies: $150-$300
• Total: $900-$2000 to start

Ongoing Costs of Chicken Keeping

Once your chickens are settled in, you can expect these recurring expenses:

Chicken Feed

Feed makes up the bulk of the ongoing cost for backyard chickens. On average, plan on:

• 3-5 lbs of feed per chicken monthly
• 15-50 lbs of feed per month for 5 chickens
• Feed costs range from $15-$45 per month

Supplement their diet with kitchen scraps to save money. Provide oyster shell for calcium.

Nesting Materials

Replace bedding in nest boxes every 1-2 weeks. Budget $10-$30 per month for nesting materials like:

• Straw
• Hemp bedding
• Wood shavings
• Shredded paper

Coop Maintenance

Factor in periodic coop repairs and cleaning supplies. Yearly costs could include:

• $20 for disinfectants
• $30 for new nest box litter
• $100 for minor repairs

Vet Bills and Medicine

Routine costs like check-ups and vaccines can run $30-$60 per chicken yearly. Watch for illness and treat as needed. Have about $100-$200 set aside for emergency vet visits.

Property Set-Up and Taxes

Some areas may require permits, fees or taxes for keeping chickens. Research rules in your municipality.

Chicken Sitters

Plan for someone to care for your flock if you go on vacation. Expect to pay $10-$20 per day for chicken sitting.

Total Ongoing Expenses

Here are the estimated recurring costs of chicken keeping:

• Feed: $15-$45 per month
• Bedding: $10-$30 per month
• Coop maintenance: $100 per year
• Vet costs: $30-$200 per year
• Permits and taxes: Variable
• Chicken sitting: Variable
• Total: $200-$300 per month

Saving Money as a Chicken Owner

Here are some tips for cutting costs with backyard chickens:

• Build your own coop to save on upfront costs
• Buy older pullets rather than baby chicks
• Collect eggs daily to avoid waste
• Sell excess eggs to offset costs
• Use chicken manure as garden fertilizer
• Supplement feed with kitchen scraps
• Buy feed in bulk for quantity discounts
• Purchase supplies at the end of season for clearance sales
• Isolate sick birds promptly to avoid vet bills

Cost Savings from Eggs

A flock of 3-5 hens can produce 20-50 eggs per week. With organic free-range eggs costing $4-$6 per dozen, that's equivalent to $8-$30 worth of eggs from your own chickens each week.

Over a year, 3 chickens could save you $250 on eggs. 5 chickens could save $500. Your actual savings will depend on how many eggs get consumed at home versus given away or sold.

Is Keeping Backyard Chickens Worth the Cost?

When weighing costs versus rewards, consider your goals. Key questions to ask:

• Do you want eggs as cheap food or as a hobby?
• Are you comfortable with the time demands of chicken care?
• Is the coop set-up feasible given your yard size and limits?
• Can you afford the vet bills if chickens get sick or hurt?

For the right person with realistic expectations, a small backyard flock can be fun, rewarding and cost-effective. Enjoy those farm-fresh eggs!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.