How Much Does It Cost To Raise Chickens?

Eggs. I don’t even know what to say. They have jumped like 5 bucks a carton in the last couple months.

It really has people wondering if owning chickens might be a more viable option than trying to keep up with the inflation on eggs.

I mean, eggs are in just about EVERYTHING. We used them for cooking, baking, breakfast — we even have an entire holiday (Easter) surrounding the egg.

But, how much does it really cost to raise chickens? Is it really worth it?

You have to admit. It’s a great time to jump on the chicken bandwagon. There are so many people raising chickens right now.

Backyard coops are trendy af and über popular.

How Much Does It Cost To Raise Chickens

Now, it is important to note that I do NOT currently raise chickens.

I do, however, have lots of friends who are obsessed with raising chickens.

They have helped me break down the cost associated with raising those feathery egg layers.

So, probably your BIGGEST cost in owning chickens is going to be the coop.

You can go several ways here: Make your own or buy a premade coop.

Check out these cute premade coops on Amazon. They average about $150, but can go as high as $3,000.

Then, you need actual chicks. I mean, you can totally buy adult egg-laying hens, but they are going to be more expensive than day-old chicks — which will run you about $2 to $4 each.

You do want to consider that if you buy day-old chicks, they will need to be kept in a brooder with a heat lamp for the first little bit.

You can get this brooder with lamp on the Amazon website for $89.

Also, it’s quite possible that one or more of your day-old chickies won’t make it to adulthood, so prepare yourself for that reality.

Your biggest recurring cost is going to be the chicken feed. Yep. They have to eat — like every single day. LOL!!

A mature chicken will go through about 1 1/2 pounds of feed per week, and the feed usually runs about 50¢ to 75¢ per pound.

So, obviously, the more chickens you have, the more you will be spending on feed.

You will also have to have bedding for the chickens. There are so many choices here, but let’s just go with wood shavings for this example.

It’s easier to clean than traditional straw bedding, and easier is a plus in my book!

Wood shavings are going to cost you about $10 to $20 for a bale.

Those are the basic bare essentials you will need to start your own chicken community.

Miscellaneous Costs Associated With Raising Chickens

You will also probably want a chicken feeder, like this chicken feeder we found on Amazon for $69.

The chickens will also need a waterer. We found this poultry watering fountain on Amazon for $50.

Other things you need to think about, that we can’t really give you a figure for, are things like pest control and vet bills.

So, is it worth it to own chickens rather than buy eggs at the store?

That is going to be something that YOU decide.

But, remember, you can also sell the excess eggs the hens lay. What a great small business opportunity.