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How Much Does It Typically Cost To Raise Chickens?

Now more than ever, it’s important to keep sustainability at the forefront of our minds.

And there’s no better way to do that than to do what you can to become self-reliant.

Eco-friendly additions to your home such as solar panels are a great place to start, but if you want to take it the extra mile, why not purchase a pet that produces food?

Chickens not only make great pets but also provide one of the most versatile foods you can keep in your kitchen – eggs!

How Much Does It Typically Cost To Raise Chickens?

That said, it’s essential that you know the cost of essential chicken supplies before you make the leap.

Because as with any pet, preparation is key.

To learn everything you need to know about the cost of backyard chickens, just keep reading.

Chicken Coop

The first thing you’ll need is a coop to house your chickens. After all, they need a place to sleep and stay safe from the elements too! 

There are two options when it comes to a chicken coop: DIY and pre-built.

If you do go the DIY route, there are plans you can find online to help you along the way, but you’ll still need a certain level of skill with carpentry.

If you use recycled materials for your coop, you can build a backyard chicken coop at virtually no cost.

For those purchasing a pre-built coop or using new materials, you can expect your coop to require about 30-50% of your total costs.

If you’re looking for quality and durability in your coop, consider sourcing it from a reputable Chicken Coop Company, which can provide expertly designed coops tailored to your needs.

The Chickens

Once you have a home for raising chickens, it’s time to bring in the chickens themselves.

And once again, you have a few options: day-old chicks, pullets, point-of-lay birds, and adult hens.

How Much Does It Typically Cost To Raise Chickens?

Day-old chicks are typically going to be your cheapest option, running about $3.00 per bird.

Now, birds this young will require more care than the older options. Keep in mind that you’ll need to keep them in your home under a heat lamp until they reach the pullet stage.

Pullets are between 2 and 4-month-old chickens and can be kept in an outdoor coop.

They cost between $12 and $20 per bird. Point-of-lay hens are a little older and a few dollars more expensive.

The last option is adult hens, which can be used as chickens for eggs right away. Again, they’re a few dollars more than point-of-lay hens.

Chicken Feed

Chicken feed is the biggest cost when it comes to chickens, as you’ll need to feed them every day throughout their entire lifetime.

Depending on their age, chickens need between 1 and 1.5 pounds of feed per week.

Chick starter feed is slightly more expensive than the adult variety, costing about 60 cents per pound.

Adult chickens can feed on layer pellets, which costs around 50 cents per pound.

If you want to save money and allow your chickens to exercise their instincts, you can scatter cracked corn on the ground around their coop.

This will cost under 20 cents per pound and provides all the nutrients your chickens need.

How Much Does It Typically Cost To Raise Chickens?

Consider the Cost to Raise Chickens Before Getting Started

Although raising chickens can be an extremely enriching experience, it’s important to be aware of the cost to raise chickens before getting started.

The last thing you want to do is get in over your head and be forced to rehome your chickens after they get settled in.

Interested in learning more about becoming self-reliant? Take a look at our blog!

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