Does the recently increased price of eggs have you asking if it's cheaper to buy eggs or raise your own backyard chicken flock? Egg prices are soaring due to the Avian Flu outbreak, which is not yet under control in the U.S. This is leading more and more folks like yourself to consider if it's time to start keeping a small backyard chicken flock.
Owning a small backyard chicken flock can be rewarding, provide food security and offer a superior egg. Raising chickens for eggs continues to become more popular in backyard suburban areas and is no longer limited to farmers and rural residents.
Here are some top things to consider when comparing the cost of buying eggs or raising chickens.
How much does it cost to buy eggs per year?
The average cost for Large, Grade A Eggs is $4.25 (December 2022.) The average American eats 279 eggs per year. A family of 4 will consume 1,116 eggs per year on average.
Here is the cost breakdown of how much the average American family of 4 spends on eggs each year:
How much does it cost per year to raise chickens?
As with any new pet, the start-up costs are the biggest expense. You will need to get the chickens, a coop, bedding, a feeder and waterer, and feed.
If you like DIY projects, you can save money by building a backyard chicken coop. Check out the Chicken Coop Plans that My Pet Chicken offers. Using recycled and reclaimed materials is good for the planet and helps lower start-up costs.
There are yearly maintenance costs associated with owning a pet chicken flock to consider, which include feed, supplements, and bedding material.
How much does it cost to feed a chicken? On average, a single backyard pet chicken will eat 91 pounds of feed per year. A flock of 6 chickens will eat almost 550 pounds of feed annually. A 50-pound bag of chicken feed costs $20 on average. Feeding 6 chickens annually will cost about $220.
My Pet Chicken also recommends providing supplements to your flock, including crushed oyster shells, probiotics, , and a deworming supplement. These supplements will help keep your flock healthy and lay nutritious eggs for you and your family!
Buy eggs or raise chickens - Which choice is right for you?
Before the bird flu outbreak and egg supply shortage, you would generally always find cheaper eggs in the store than the price of getting them from your own flock. But as you can see from our cost comparison, after the initial setup cost, the price of raising your own flock for eggs is cheaper than buying them in the stores.
Benefits of having a backyard chicken flock -
- You will eat healthier and fresher eggs from your backyard flock. There is an increased nutritional value from a backyard flock and the eggs you buy at the grocery store.
- Create your own food security and avoid the grocery store. Growing your own food allows you to feel better about your food source and rely less upon the national food chain.
- Live a more sustainable lifestyle by feeding your kitchen scraps to your chickens and learning how to compost using chicken manure.
Important things to consider when owning a chicken flock -
The average lifespan of a backyard chicken is 3-10 years. Be prepared to meet the obligations that go into their care, including feeding, cleaning their coop, collecting daily fresh eggs, and caring for the health of your flock. But Don't worry, My Pet Chicken and our dedicated staff of Flock Care Specialists are here with you on your chicken-keeping journey! We are available by phone, email, and chat for support and questions that you may have about raising chickens. You can also read our library of free resources, including a Chicken Care Guide, Baby Chick Supply Checklist, Hatching Egg and Incubation Guide, Frequently Asked Questions, Chicken Glossary, and Baby Chick Identification.
Benefits of buying eggs at a store -
- It's easy and convenient!
In conclusion, we recommend raising your own chickens for eggs! Our staff at My Pet Chicken is here and ready to help guide you on your chicken-keeping journey!
Have you decided to start keeping a backyard chicken flock due to the price increase of eggs?
