How much does it cost to feed chickens? Less than most people guess for the feed itself, and more than most people guess once treats creep in. Put in your flock and the price on your feed bag and the calculator below does the math, including what each dozen of your eggs really costs next to store eggs.
How much feed does a chicken eat?
A standard laying hen eats about a quarter pound of layer feed a day, which works out to roughly 1.75 pounds a week. Bantams eat a little over half that and big breeds eat more. Hens eat more in cold weather and less in summer heat.
| Hen size | Feed a day | Feed a week | A 50 lb bag feeds 6 hens for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bantam (Silkie, Sebright) | about 2.3 oz | about 1 lb | about 8 weeks |
| Standard (Leghorn, Australorp) | about 4 oz | about 1.75 lb | about 4.5 weeks |
| Large (Brahma, Jersey Giant) | about 5 oz | about 2.25 lb | about 3.5 weeks |
For a day-by-day breakdown, see how much to feed chickens per day.
Ways to cut your feed bill
- Stop the waste. Hens flick feed out of open troughs. A feeder with a lip or a treadle feeder saves more than you would think.
- Store it right. Damp or moldy feed goes in the trash. Keep bags in a sealed metal can; here is how to store chicken feed.
- Buy the big bag. A 50 lb bag usually costs less per pound than a 25 or 40 lb bag, as long as your flock finishes it within a couple of months.
- Keep treats small. Scratch and mealworms add up fast and push out the protein and calcium hens need to lay. Keep treats to a small share of what they eat.
- Let them forage. Time out on grass and bugs trims what they eat from the feeder, especially spring through fall.
Frequently asked questions
Are backyard eggs cheaper than store eggs?
Sometimes. With cheap feed, good layers and egg prices high, your eggs can cost less than the store’s. With organic feed, winter or molt, or low egg prices, store eggs often win on price. Most keepers come out ahead on freshness rather than cost.
How long does a 50 lb bag of feed last?
For six standard hens, a 50 lb bag lasts about four to five weeks. Three hens get about nine weeks out of the same bag.
Does this include everything chickens cost?
No, just feed and treats. Bedding, grit, oyster shell, the coop and vet visits are extra. See how much it costs to keep chickens for the full list, and find more free calculators on our chicken tools page.
