Chicken Feed Calculator
Estimate feed usage and cost for your flock.
Default 0.25 lb
Default $0.50
Results update as you type.
How it works
Keeping backyard chickens well fed is the biggest ongoing cost of a flock, and this calculator estimates how much feed you will use and what it will cost. You enter the number of hens, how much feed each hen eats per day, and the price per pound of feed, and it returns daily, monthly, and yearly feed use plus monthly and annual cost. A typical laying hen eats around a quarter pound, roughly 100 to 120 grams, of complete feed per day, though this varies with breed, size, season, and how much the birds forage or get kitchen scraps. Larger breeds eat more, and cold weather increases consumption as birds burn energy to stay warm, while free-ranging in summer can reduce purchased feed. Knowing your total helps with budgeting, buying feed in cost-effective bulk quantities, and storing enough to avoid running out. It also helps compare the economics of raising hens against buying eggs. Remember that feed is only part of the cost; bedding, supplements like grit and calcium, and occasional health care add to it. Enter your flock size, feed per hen, and feed price to estimate your feed needs and cost.
Daily feed = hens × feed per hen; cost = feed × price
The daily feed equals the number of hens times the feed each hen eats per day. Multiplying by 30 gives monthly feed and by 365 gives annual feed, and multiplying the feed weight by the price per pound gives the corresponding cost for the month and the year.
Source:Poultry feeding guidelines
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter number of hens.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust feed per hen per day and feed price per pound if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Daily feed updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How much feed does a chicken eat per day?
A typical laying hen eats about a quarter pound, roughly 100 to 120 grams, of complete feed daily. Larger breeds eat more and bantams less. Consumption rises in cold weather and falls when birds forage widely in summer. The calculator uses a quarter pound by default, which you can adjust to match your flock and feed.
How much does it cost to feed chickens?
Multiply your flock's daily feed by the price per pound. Six hens eating a quarter pound each at 50 cents per pound cost about $22.50 a month, or $270 a year, for feed alone. Buying feed in bulk bags lowers the per-pound price, and foraging or scraps can reduce purchased feed during warmer months.
Does weather change feed consumption?
Yes. In cold weather, chickens eat more because they burn extra energy to maintain body heat, so winter feed bills rise. In warm months, especially if birds free-range on grass, bugs, and kitchen scraps, they eat less purchased feed. Planning for this seasonal swing helps you budget and buy the right amounts through the year.
What else do chickens need besides feed?
Beyond complete feed, laying hens need constant fresh water, grit to help grind food in the gizzard, and a calcium source like crushed oyster shell for strong eggshells. Bedding, occasional treats, and health supplies add to the budget. Providing these alongside good feed keeps hens healthy and laying well, so factor them into your overall costs.
Is raising chickens cheaper than buying eggs?
It depends on feed prices, egg prices, and your setup. Feed is the main recurring cost, and startup costs for a coop can be significant. Many keepers find home eggs cost similar to or more than store eggs once everything is counted, but value the quality, freshness, and enjoyment. This calculator helps you estimate the feed side of that comparison.