Don’t ask how I remembered how to even find let alone work the calculator, but I crunched the numbers a minute ago after reading about the average price of eggs being $3.59 right now. Which is double what they cost a year ago!
We haven’t bought eggs in forever so when I saw that, I did a quick tally in my head and was pretty sure that we’re doing much better than I thought we were when it comes to the economics of egg production here. I know we’re getting about six eggs a day on average, so a dozen every two days, so about fifteen dozen eggs a month total.
Now, granted, if we were buying them from the store we might not buy fifteen dozen eggs a month but since we do get that many right now from our dozen or so layers, we share them with the pups and have plenty left over for cooking and freezing for later.
So if we were buying them from the store, at the current average price, it would cost us about $54 a month for eggs. 😮
BUT… that’s if I buy the cheap, factory farmed, thin shelled white eggs. Our girls only lay the finest free range, thick shelled brown eggs. They also eat quality feed so their yolks are dark orange and their eggs are full of densely packed nutrition.
Yummm.
I took a look at what free range, cage free brown eggs are going for and found an average price at my local supermarket of $7.39 a dozen. Which would make that fifteen dozen a month cost $110 now instead of $60!!
Then I went back and totaled up how much we spent on feed per month since cutting the flocks back to what we have now, which is mainly our layer hens. We’re spending about $40 a month on feed plus a few dollars for water and electricity for the coop and heated bowls. So no more than $50 to keep them through winter right now, and it would be even less if it were summer and they could be out in their pasture free ranging for food.
We do get our feed in bulk from our local feed store, so we’re saving quite a bit there, but I’m not fermenting it anymore which would stretch it out even further. I feel like we’re doing pretty well considering we also get meat birds for the soup pot at the end, not to mention the enjoyment of keeping the chickens.
I am not going to lie though; it’s easier to enjoy them when you know they’re saving you money. 😄
Empty Nest Homesteading 
This is where I’m at. I am actually planning out our future flock this winter. My kids are excited to pick chicks this spring. Upfront we are going to spend money we won’t be getting back in eggs til late summer but in the long run will save us a good bit. We go through about 50 eggs a week in our house if I’m not baking. Right now the cheapest I can get the basic store eggs is $21 for 90 at Costco. It’s $22 for 60 at Walmart. When I did the math 2 years ago it was not as practical for us to get chickens now it’s almost imperative.
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Nice! The economics of it will drive more folks to this essential livestock, but the convenience, taste, health and entertainment value of chickens and of ‘yard eggs’ as they call them down here will hopefully win their hearts. I think a hurdle for some at that point will be the predation. I’ve known a few who have given up as soon as they lose a few to snakes or possum or coyote, but that’s bound to happen. It sucks for sure, but it’s best to get right back in the game and not give up!
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My biggest predators are going to be gigantic birds. We have great horned owls and bald eagles who nest near our house. Doesn’t help that my land backs up to federal property. But I’m going to do my best to protect my girls when I get them.
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Having a rooster helps! I am surprised how defensive they can be of their flock.
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Unfortunately we aren’t allowed a rooster where we live per county ordinance.
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Glad to hear you have plenty of delicious, healthy eggs to enjoy! It’s insane how high prices on eggs have gotten.
We officially stopped buying eggs a couple weeks ago *happy dance*, since our hens are laying now. We were buying the box of 60 eggs, which has went up to $23 here in TN?! So, around $50, tax included, every month for basic white eggs. 🤦♀️
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Oh, good to hear!! The eggs we get are soo yummy, too. We’re not even using the most expensive organic feed, either. Just some good quality stuff from the local feed store. Such a difference!
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Fresh eggs are always the best 👏 It definitely makes a difference when the chickens are taken care of and happy. I think store bought is so nasty compared to fresh now 😂
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My nephew has chickens. He’s battled hawk and neighboring dogs, but has managed to protect his flock. I would try it, but my two dogs would go insane as they don’t like anything moving around them.
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It’s definitely a challenge to keep chickens, especially with dogs, but we free range ours in an enclosed pasture and so far our fencing has held up well. The only poultry we lose are the pheasant who will kill each other if too many males get in too close quarters. It’s brutal when they fight!
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I think that I will just start helping my nephew with his, helping with feed or some such and see if I can get a share of the bounty. His huge lab pays those chickens no attention while at the same time protecting them.
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That’s a good idea, I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Feed has almost doubled in the last year here! Yet it’s still cheaper than buying eggs.
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I meant to talk to him while he was up here but this floor issue has me totally distracted. I will though, there’s time.
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