Feed Cost Calculator
Last reviewed on 30 April 2026.
Use this tool to estimate how much feed you’ll need and how much it will cost each month and year.
What goes into the daily figure
The default of 0.25 kg per bird per day reflects an average medium-breed laying hen on a complete layer feed. Real consumption varies by breed (heavier birds eat more), age (growing pullets eat steadily, then settle), season (intake rises in cold weather), and whether the flock free-ranges or has access to kitchen scraps. For a more accurate figure, weigh the feed you put out and what the birds leave over a week.
Where the money usually goes
- Bulk versus bagged. Buying full 20–25 kg bags at a feed mill is typically 20–40% cheaper per kilogram than small retail bags. The break-even point is usually 3–4 hens.
- Storage waste. Damp, mouldy or rodent-spoiled feed is invisible in the budget but real. The rats and mice guide covers storage that pays for itself quickly.
- Feeder design. Open trough feeders waste 10–20% to scratching and spillage. Treadle, port and tube feeders cut this dramatically; see the feeder comparison.
- Treats. Commercial treats marketed at backyard keepers are several times the price of layer feed by weight and lower in nutrition. Garden trimmings and a small ration of grains do the same job.
Estimating before you have birds
If you are budgeting before getting your flock, plug in the most likely number of birds plus one (people typically add a hen within the first year), the default consumption, and the current bagged-feed price at your local supplier. Multiply the annual cost by 1.15 for storage and waste loss. The budget breakdown guide places this in the wider context of setup and ongoing costs.