Fresh eggs are the main reason many families keep backyard chickens. But how many eggs will a small flock really lay, and are they cheaper than store-bought? This calculator estimates both.
How many eggs?
A hen’s production depends on her breed, age, the season and her care:
- Production breeds (Leghorns, sex-links, ISA Browns) often lay 5 to 6 eggs a week in their first year or two.
- Dual-purpose and heritage breeds (Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes) lay about 3 to 5.
- Laying slows in winter as days shorten, and stops for several weeks during the molt, usually in fall.
- Production drops by roughly 10 to 20% a year after the second year.
eggs per year = hens × eggs per hen per week × laying weeks
Six hens laying 5 a week for 46 weeks: 6 × 5 × 46 = 1,380 eggs, or 115 dozen. In season, that is about 30 eggs a week, roughly a dozen every 2 to 3 days.
What does an egg cost?
Feed is the main running cost. A laying hen eats about ¼ lb of layer feed a day, a bit more in cold weather:
feed per year = hens × feed per day × 365 × price per pound
At $0.35 a pound, 6 hens eat about $192 of feed a year. Add bedding, oyster shell, treats and occasional care, $100 here:
cost per dozen = (feed + other costs) ÷ eggs × 12 = $2.54
That does not include the coop, fencing and feeders, which cost far more at the start and should be spread over several years. Backyard eggs rarely beat the cheapest supermarket eggs, but they often compare well with pasture-raised or organic eggs.
Getting the most eggs
- Feed a complete layer ration (16% protein) with free-choice oyster shell for calcium.
- Provide 14 to 16 hours of light for steady laying; many keepers accept the natural winter break.
- Keep fresh water available at all times; hens stop laying quickly without it.
- Give 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft in the run, and one nest box per 4 to 5 hens.
- Collect eggs daily.
Local rules
Many cities limit the number of hens, ban roosters, or require permits and setbacks from property lines. Check your local ordinance and any HOA rules before buying chicks.