Are Backyard Eggs Worth It?
Enter your flock, what a dozen eggs costs at your store, and your monthly feed bill to see the real monthly saving (or extra cost) of your own eggs.
Eggs per month130
Store value per month$43.33
Monthly savings$18.33
How we calculate it
Eggs per month = hens × eggs per hen per week × 4.345. Store value = (eggs ÷ 12) × price per dozen. Net = store value − feed cost.
Based on:
- A laying hen eats about 1/4 to 1/3 lb of feed per day (Mississippi State Extension)
- Productive breeds average about 5 eggs per hen per week (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Feeding is the main ongoing cost of a laying flock (UGA Extension)
Figures are typical guidelines for planning. Your birds, breed, climate, and feed will vary.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to raise chickens for eggs?
It depends on feed cost and store egg prices. When store eggs are expensive and you buy feed in bulk, a productive flock usually saves money. When eggs are cheap and feed is pricey, backyard eggs can cost more, though many keepers value freshness and welfare beyond the math.
What is not included in this estimate?
This compares feed cost against egg value only. It leaves out one-time setup (coop, feeder, waterer), bedding, and treats, plus the value of manure or pest control. Use it as a running-cost guide, not a full cost of ownership.
How many eggs will my hens actually lay?
A productive laying breed averages about 5 eggs per hen per week in peak season, dropping in winter and as hens age. Use our egg laying calculator for a breed-specific estimate.