The Real Cost of Raising Backyard Chickens (Year One)

Everyone loves the idea of backyard chickens — fresh eggs every morning, happy hens scratching around the yard, a little piece of the farm life right at home. But before you pick up your first pullets, it's worth knowing what you're actually signing up for financially. Year one is the most expensive year, and the numbers can surprise people who haven't planned for them.

Here's an honest, itemized look at what it actually costs to get a small backyard flock up and running — and what to expect going forward.

The One-Time Startup Costs

These are the costs you pay once (or rarely) to get set up. They're the biggest driver of year-one expenses.

The Coop

This is your biggest variable. Options range widely:

• Pre-built coop (4–6 hens): $200–$600. Convenient but often lower quality — many are undersized and don't hold up well to weather or predators.
• DIY coop: $150–$400 in materials, depending on size and what you already have. More work, but you control the quality.
• Custom or contractor-built: $800–$2,500+. Best quality, longest lifespan, but a significant upfront investment.

Budget estimate: $250–$500 for a solid starter coop for 4–6 hens.

Run / Fencing

If your hens won't be fully free-range, you'll need a secure run. Hardware cloth (not chicken wire — predators can tear through it) runs about $50–$150 depending on size. Add T-posts or wood framing and you're looking at $75–$200 total.

Feeders and Waterers

Basic hanging feeders and waterers: $30–$60. Nipple waterers or heated waterers for winter add cost but save hassle.

Bedding (Initial)

Pine shavings or straw for the coop floor and nest boxes: $15–$30 to start.

The Birds

This is where Stafford Hill Farms comes in. Ready-to-lay pullets cost more upfront than day-old chicks, but you skip the brooder setup, heat lamp, chick starter feed, and the 4–5 month wait before your first egg. For most backyard keepers, pullets are the smarter buy.

• Day-old chicks: $4–$8 each, plus brooder costs ($50–$150 in equipment and feed before they're ready to move outside)
• Ready-to-lay pullets: $25–$35 each — eggs within weeks, no brooder required

For a flock of 4–6 pullets: $100–$210

Year-One Ongoing Costs

Once your flock is set up, these are the costs that repeat month to month.

Feed

A laying hen eats roughly ¼ pound of feed per day. A 50 lb bag of quality layer feed runs $18–$28 and lasts a flock of 6 about 5–6 weeks.

• Annual feed cost for 6 hens: $175–$300

Scratch grains, oyster shell (for calcium), and treats add another $30–$60/year.

Bedding (Ongoing)

You'll refresh coop bedding every few weeks. Budget $50–$100/year for pine shavings.

Veterinary / Health

Healthy hens from a reputable source rarely need a vet. But it's smart to budget for the unexpected — a sick bird, a predator injury, or a respiratory issue. $0–$100/year is realistic for a small flock if you buy healthy birds and maintain a clean coop.

Miscellaneous

Replacement bulbs, minor repairs, extra feeders, treats, supplements: $30–$75/year.

Year One: The Full Picture

Category	Low Estimate	High Estimate
Coop	$250	$500
Run / Fencing	$75	$200
Feeders & Waterers	$30	$60
Bedding (initial)	$15	$30
Pullets (6 birds)	$150	$210
Feed (annual)	$175	$300
Bedding (annual)	$50	$100
Health / Misc	$30	$175
Year One Total	$775	$1,575

What About the Eggs?

Six Golden Comet hens at peak production will lay roughly 5–6 eggs per day — about 25–30 dozen eggs per year. At $5–$7/dozen for quality farm eggs, that's $125–$210 in egg value annually.

Year one won't break even — that's the honest truth. But year two and beyond look very different. Once the coop is paid for, your annual costs drop to $300–$600, and the eggs more than cover it if you're selling or gifting them.

Most backyard chicken keepers will tell you the math isn't really the point. The eggs are fresher than anything you'll find in a store, you know exactly how your hens were raised, and there's something genuinely satisfying about a flock that's well cared for.

How to Keep Costs Down

• Buy ready-to-lay pullets — skip the brooder investment and start getting eggs faster
• Build your own coop — even a basic DIY build will outperform most pre-fab options
• Use the deep litter method — less frequent full cleanouts, lower bedding costs
• Supplement with kitchen scraps — hens love vegetable trimmings, which reduces feed costs slightly
• Start small — 4–6 hens is the sweet spot for a first flock. You can always expand.

Ready to get started? Browse our available ready-to-lay pullets and explore more beginner guides at The Learning Coop.