How Much Does it Cost to Raise Chickens?

Will We Really Save Any Money? A Close Look at the Breakdown of Costs a Backyard Chicken Farmer Can Expect

To offset the rising price of eggs, my family is thinking about raising a few chickens. Raising chickens would save us nearly $150 a year on our grocery bill and keep us supplied with fresh, organic eggs.

Our community, as do many others, allows its residents to raise a few chickens in their back yard under certain conditions. These conditions may include limiting the size of the flock, prohibiting roosters, and protecting neighbors from undesirable noise and odors. As long as these conditions are met, our town doesn't have a problem with us keeping up to three chickens.

While there is no arguing that home grown eggs are better than store bought, our question was how cost effective is would be to raise our own chickens for a steady supply of eggs.

Basic supplies to start with

Our family paid a visit to a local farm store to get some more information and to price the different pieces of equipment we'd need.

Most laying hens are bought as day old chicks. These tiny chicks range in price from $2-$5 each, depending on the breed. While the store guarantees a 90% accuracy in sexing them properly, chances are you could still end up with a rooster or two. Since chicks are only available for a limited season (Mid March to the end of April), it's best to buy a few more than you need in case one either dies, or turns out to be a rooster.
Cost of chicks: $10-$30

Baby chicks need the warmth of a heat lamp for their first 6 weeks of life.
A heat lamp with reflector guard and clamp runs about $18. While the chicks are young, they can be kept in a cardboard box, but have to be moved to a larger container at 2 weeks. It was recommended that a 2 week old needs at least one square feet of space; for the four or five chicks we were looking at buying, a container measuring 5 square feet is necessary. Fresh bedding material is a must, bales of straw or bundles of pine shavings cost about $10 for a 6 week supply.
Cost of brooding supplies: $28 plus a supply of big boxes

In addition to a lamp, feeders and waterers are also necessary, and of course, chick feed. An 8 week supply of chick feed runs $7.
Cost of a basic feeder, waterer and feed $17-27