Vegetable garden payback
Compare raised bed, soil, fence, seed, and water costs against the grocery value of your harvest. See how many years payback takes.
Simple payback period
2.5 yrs
+$608 net over 5 yrs ($5.28/doz all-in vs $6.50/doz store)Example calculationPays back in 2.5 years (+$608 net over 5 yrs)
Against $6.50/doz store eggs, your 6 hens produce 498 dozen eggs worth $3,239 over 5 years, covering the $1,022 setup and $321.80/yr feed bill at an all-in cost of $5.28/doz.
5-year net gain
+$608
$3,239 eggs vs $2,631 total costAll-in cost per dozen
$5.28/doz
vs $6.50/doz store (498 doz)Feed-only cost per dozen
$2.57/doz
Peak Year-2 feed & care ($322/yr)Upfront setup cost
$1,022
$750 coop + $272 birds/gear5-year cost breakdown: Backyard flock vs store-bought eggs
| Cost component | Backyard Flock | Store-Bought Eggs | Flock advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront coop, run, equipment & birds | $1,022 | $0 | -$1,022 |
| Cumulative feed & bedding vs store egg bills | $1,609 | $3,239 | +$1,630 |
| Total 5-year all-in cost | $2,631 | $3,239 | +$608 |
| Effective cost per dozen eggs | $5.28/doz | $6.50/doz | +$1.22/doz |
Year-by-year egg output and cumulative payback
Why coop cost and egg tier decide whether backyard chickens pay
A laying hen eats roughly a quarter pound of layer feed per day (about 90 pounds per year). At $21 per 50-pound bag plus pine shavings and oyster shell calcium, ongoing feed and care cost roughly $2.50 to $2.80 per dozen during peak laying years. That means a backyard flock rarely beats $3.00 conventional supermarket eggs once you count a $750 to $1,500 coop. However, if your household normally buys $6.00 to $8.00 pasture-raised or organic eggs and you build a modest or salvaged coop, a 6-hen flock typically pays for itself in two to three years.
A planning estimate based on your inputs and the assumptions shown. Check municipal zoning ordinances, HOA rules, and predator-proofing requirements before starting a flock.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layer hen feed consumption, peak egg production, and Year 3+ decline | `90 lbs/hen/yr` feed, `250 eggs/hen/yr` peak, `15%/yr` post-Year-2 decline | Penn State Extension Small-scale Egg Production | 2026-10-14 |
| Retail conventional vs pasture-raised / organic egg price per dozen | `$6.50/doz` pasture-raised (`$3.00/doz` conventional) | USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Egg Markets Overview | 2026-10-14 |
| Backyard coop, predator-proof run, brooder gear, and bedding costs | `$750` coop & run, `$140` equipment, `$95/yr` bedding & grit | University of Minnesota Extension Raising Chickens for Eggs | 2026-10-14 |