The Real Scoop on Chicken Feed Costs: What You’ll Actually Pay in 2025

Are you thinking about raising backyard chickens? Or maybe you already have a flock and want to know if you’re spending too much on feed? One of the most common questions I get from my readers is how much does chicken food cost?

Let me break it down for ya – the simple answer is that chicken feed typically costs between $20 to $50 per month for a small backyard flock. But there’s so much more to the story than just that number!

As someone who’s been raising chickens for years, I’ve learned that feed costs can vary wildly depending on several factors. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details so you can budget properly for your feathered friends.

The Basics: Daily Chicken Feed Consumption

First things first – how much do chickens actually eat? On average:

• A typical chicken eats about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of feed per day
• That works out to roughly 2-2.5 pounds of feed per week per chicken
• For a small flock of 5 chickens, expect to go through about 10-12.5 pounds of feed weekly

The amount can vary based on your chicken’s breed, age, and activity level. Larger breeds and growing chickens tend to eat more than smaller, mature birds.

Breaking Down Chicken Feed Costs

According to my research and personal experience here’s what you can expect to pay for different types of chicken feed in 2025

Using these figures, I can calculate that the daily cost to feed one chicken ranges from $0.15 to $0.20. This includes quality layer feed and any supplements they might need.

For my flock of 6 chickens, I spend about $220 annually just on basic feed. That breaks down to roughly $36.67 per chicken per year for feed alone.

Additional Costs Beyond Basic Feed

Of course, chicken feed isn’t just about the basic layer or broiler feed. There are supplements and treats to consider:

• Crushed oyster shells: Essential for laying hens to produce strong eggshells
• Probiotics: Keeps their digestive systems healthy
• Vitamins & electrolytes: Important for overall health
• Deworming supplements: Necessary for parasite prevention
• Treats and scratch: Not essential but keeps chickens happy

These supplements add to your overall costs but help maintain a healthy, productive flock. I usually budget an extra $5-10 per month for these additions.

Factors That Affect Your Chicken Feed Budget

Wondering why your neighbor spends less (or more) than you do on chicken feed? Several factors can influence your costs:

1. Chicken Breed

Different breeds have different appetites. My Rhode Island Reds eat noticeably more than my Bantams. Larger breeds generally consume more feed.

2. Free-Range vs. Confined

If your chickens have access to pasture, they’ll forage for bugs, worms, and plants, potentially reducing your feed costs by 10-30%. My partially free-range flock definitely eats less commercial feed during summer months.

3. Feed Quality

Premium feeds cost more but often yield better results. I’ve found that cheap feed sometimes means chickens eat more to get the nutrition they need, so it’s not always more economical.

4. Seasonal Changes

Chickens typically eat more in winter (they need extra energy to stay warm) and less in summer. My feed costs increase by about 20% during cold months.

5. Purchasing Strategy

Buying in bulk often saves money. A 50-pound bag is usually cheaper per pound than smaller bags. I save about 15% by purchasing the largest bags available.

Is Raising Chickens Economically Worth It?

Let’s do some chicken math to see if raising chickens makes financial sense:

• Initial cost for chicks: About $3.60 per heritage breed chick
• Feed cost before laying (22 weeks): Approximately $13.12 per bird
• Annual feed cost after laying begins: About $12.60 per bird
• Fixed costs (coop, equipment, etc.): Around $11.82 per bird annually (assuming a $591 setup amortized over 5 years with 10 birds)

Total annual cost: About $37.54 per chicken per year

A heritage breed chicken typically lays about 5 eggs per week, or around 150 eggs in 30 weeks of production. At store prices of approximately $5 per dozen for comparable free-range eggs, that’s a value of $61.50 in eggs from one chicken.

That means each chicken saves you roughly $23.96 per year compared to buying eggs. Not a fortune, but definitely a positive return!

Tips to Reduce Your Chicken Feed Costs

After years of chicken keeping, I’ve discovered several ways to trim the feed budget:

1. Buy in bulk whenever possible
2. Shop at feed mills or farm supply stores rather than pet stores
3. Grow fodder (sprouted grains) as a nutritious supplement
4. Compost food scraps for your chickens (just be careful about what you feed them)
5. Plant a “chicken garden” with nutritious greens they can forage
6. Raise mealworms as a protein-rich supplement
7. Allow safe free-ranging when possible

My personal favorite is growing fodder – for about $2 worth of barley seeds, I can grow enough sprouts to supplement my flock for a week!

Beyond the Economics: The Intangible Benefits

While this article focuses on costs, I gotta say that the benefits of raising chickens go far beyond economics:

• The nutritional value of home-raised eggs is significantly higher than store-bought
• There’s peace of mind knowing exactly what your food source is eating
• The entertainment value and companionship chickens provide is priceless
• Using chicken manure for garden composting creates a sustainable cycle
• The educational opportunity for kids is invaluable

Final Thoughts

So, how much does chicken food cost? As we’ve seen, a reasonable estimate is $20 to $50 per month for a small flock, depending on your specific circumstances.

Is it worth it? For me, absolutely. Even with feed prices fluctuating, the joy of collecting fresh eggs each morning and watching my chickens’ antics makes the investment worthwhile.

If you’re considering starting a backyard flock, I encourage you to do your own “chicken math” based on local prices in your area. The numbers might surprise you – especially with egg prices continuing to rise at grocery stores.

What about you? Are you raising chickens already? Have you found clever ways to reduce your feed costs? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

Happy chicken keeping, friends!

A 50 lb bag of chicken feed can last anywhere from less than two weeks for a large flock to several months for a single chicken, as it depends on factors like the number of birds, their age, diet (including free-ranging and scraps), and how efficiently they eat it.

Feeding a chicken costs between $0.07 and $0.25 per day, or about $2 to $3 per month per chicken, depending on the price and type of feed. Adult chickens eat about 1/4 pound of feed daily, with costs fluctuating based on grain prices, location, and whether the feed is commercially produced or home-mixed.