Backyard Chicken ROI Calculator
Calculate the true cost and return on investment of keeping backyard chickens including feed, coop, and egg production value.
The Real Cost of Backyard Eggs Backyard chickens rarely produce cheaper eggs than store-bought — but many people keep them for other reasons: freshness, knowing the source, fertilizer, pest control, and enjoyment. This calculator shows you the honest economics.
Typical Production A good laying hen (Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, Production Red) lays 250-300 eggs per year in her peak years 1-3. Older hens lay less. Hens need 12+ hours of daylight; production drops in winter unless you add supplemental light.
Feed Conversion Laying hens eat about 1/4 lb (0.25 lb) of feed per day. At $0.30-0.50/lb for quality layer pellets, that is $0.075-0.125/hen/day or roughly $27-45/hen/year just in feed.
Hidden Costs Coop construction or purchase ($200-$2,000+), bedding ($50-100/yr), feeders/waterers ($30-80), veterinary care, and predator-proofing all add up. Amortizing coop cost over 10 years helps show true annual cost.