Free Calculator

Backyard Chicken Flock Cost Calculator

Enter your real numbers — coop cost, flock size, feed prices, permit fees — and see your actual Year 1 cost, annual ongoing cost, and how many years until you break even versus buying eggs.

💰 Flock Economics Calculator

Default values are 2025 U.S. averages. Adjust to your real situation.

Number of hensHow many do you plan to keep?
Coop costBuild or buy — include run. Avg: $400–$1,200
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Cost per chick/pulletDay-old chick ~$5; ready-to-lay pullet ~$25–$35
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Brooder setup (if chicks)Heat lamp, brooder box, starter feed. $0 if buying pullets.
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Feeders & waterersQuality set: ~$35–$80
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City permit feeEnter 0 if no permit required in your city
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Fencing / predator-proofingHardware cloth, buried skirt, gate. Optional if coop is enclosed.
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Miscellaneous startupGrit, oyster shell, first bag of bedding, etc.
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Annual feed cost~$35–$45/hen/year at $20/50lb bag. 4 hens ≈ $160–$220.
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Annual bedding costPine shavings, straw. ~$50–$80/year for small coop.
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Annual supplementsOyster shell, grit, probiotics, vitamins. ~$30–$60.
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Annual vet / healthWormer, mite treatment, vet if needed. Budget $0–$150.
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Annual permit renewalMany cities require annual renewal. Enter 0 if one-time.
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Coop maintenance & repairHardware, latches, weatherproofing. ~$30–$75/year.
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Other annual costsPest control, electricity for winter light, etc.
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Eggs per hen per yearPeak: 250–300. Average laying hen: 200–250. Older hens: 100–150.
What you pay per dozen at storeConventional avg 2025: ~$3.50–$5. Organic/free-range: $6–$9.
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Months until laying (if chicks)Day-old chicks: 5–6 months. Pullets: 0–2 months.
Sale price per dozen (if selling)0 = not selling. Farmers market: $5–$10/dozen.
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Your Flock Economics

These are estimates based on your inputs. Actual costs vary by region, breed, coop quality, and management approach. Feed and bedding prices fluctuate. This calculator is for planning purposes only.

Why the first egg is the most expensive

A common joke among backyard chicken keepers is that the first egg costs $700. Startup costs — coop, chicks, equipment, setup — are front-loaded. Annual costs after Year 1 drop significantly. The economics make more sense over 3–5 years than in Year 1 alone.

Informational Only. Cost estimates are averages based on publicly available data (USDA, BLS, industry sources). Your actual costs will vary based on location, breed, coop type, and management. This is a planning tool, not financial advice.