How much does it cost to start backyard chickens?

A typical 6-hen setup runs $700–1,000 in the first year: the coop and run dominate at 50–70% of the budget, plus birds, brooder gear, feeders, and about $200–250 of feed. Repurposing a shed cuts costs sharply; prefab kits often cost more per usable square foot than building.

Will I save money on eggs by keeping chickens?

In year one, almost never — spread over a small flock's production, first-year eggs cost $6–12 per dozen. Economics improve from year two once the coop is paid for. People keep chickens for better eggs and the lifestyle; savings are a bonus.

Is it cheaper to buy chicks or started pullets?

A $5 chick really costs $25–35 by first egg after brooder gear and 18–22 weeks of feed. Started pullets at ~$25 skip the brooder and the wait, so the true cost difference is smaller than it looks.

Chicken Startup Cost Calculator — What It Really Costs to Start a Flock

💰 Your setup

Estimates use typical 2026 US prices. Adjust anything you already know.

Number of chickens to start with

How will you get them?

Coop & run

Feed price per 50 lb bag ($)

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Coop + run

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Birds + starter gear

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Feeders, waterers, extras

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First-year feed

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Upfront total

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Total first year

Where the money actually goes

The coop dominates the budget — usually 50–70% of first-year cost. That's why the biggest financial decision isn't the breed or the feeder brand; it's build vs. prefab vs. repurpose:

Building yourself typically runs $15–25 per square foot of coop in materials (lumber, hardware cloth, roofing, hinges). A 4×6 coop with a 60 sq ft run lands around $600–900 in materials.
Prefab kits look cheaper per box ($200–500) but measure far smaller than advertised — most "6-chicken" kits are honestly 3–4 chicken coops, so the per-usable-square-foot price is higher, and thin panels often need replacing within 3–5 years.
Repurposing a shed, playhouse, or craigslist find is the budget champion: you mostly pay for hardware cloth, a roost, and nest boxes.

Use our Coop Size Calculator first to know how many square feet you're actually pricing.

Typical 2026 price ranges

Item	Budget	Typical	Premium
Day-old chick (sexed pullet)	$3	$5	$12 (rare breeds)
Started pullet (16–20 wks)	$15	$25	$40+
Brooder setup (lamp/plate, bedding)	$40	$75	$150
Feeder + waterer	$25	$60	$150 (treadle + heated)
Incubator (if hatching)	$50	$120	$250+
50 lb bag of layer feed	$18	$22	$35 (organic)

The math nobody does before buying chicks

Chicks are cheap; the five months before the first egg are not. A day-old chick needs a brooder, chick starter feed, and 18–22 weeks of feeding before laying begins — meaning the "$5 chick" really costs $25–35 by first egg. Started pullets cost more upfront but skip the brooder, the starter feed, and the wait. For a first flock of ordinary breeds, the total cost difference is smaller than it looks; chicks win mainly when you want specific breeds or the experience of raising them.

And the classic question — "will I save money on eggs?" — deserves a straight answer: in year one, almost never. Spread a typical setup over the eggs a small flock lays and year-one eggs cost $6–12 per dozen. The economics improve from year two once the coop is paid for, and improve a lot if you build cheap and avoid prefab replacement cycles. People keep chickens for better eggs, the garden, and the entertainment; the savings, if any, are a bonus.

FAQ

What ongoing costs should I budget after year one?

Feed (see our Feed Cost Calculator), bedding ($5–15/month), oyster shell and grit (a few dollars), and an emergency fund — a single avian vet visit runs $50–150 where available. Many keepers budget roughly $10 per bird per month all-in.

Is it cheaper to hatch my own?

Only if you already own the incubator and can rehome cockerels — roughly half of straight-run hatches are male. For a first flock, sexed chicks or pullets are the practical choice.

What's the most common overspend?

Buying a cute prefab coop that's too small, then replacing it within a year — the double purchase costs more than building right once. Size first (with the calculator), then buy or build to that number.