A dozen eggs

The cost of a dozen eggs

Many people have asked me just how much it costs to produce a dozen organic backyard chicken eggs. Time to show off my mighty Math skills.

Organic layers mash $26.00 per 25 kg. bag = $1.04 per kg.
Consumption ~ 4 1/2 ounces per bird per day.
Annual egg production ~ 300 eggs.
4 1/2 ounces x 365 days = 1642.5 ounces per year = 46.56 kg. per year
46.56 kg. x $1.04 per kg. = $48.42 to feed a hen for a year.
$48.42/300 eggs x 12 = $1.94 per dozen.

So, my eggs cost $1.94 per dozen compared to retail organic eggs at $5.99 per dozen.

Note that during the summer, the hens could eat 30% of their calories from grass and bugs. My 4 1/2 ounce estimate is a year-round conservative average.

3 comments

  • well – yes – that is true. But if you take into account the cost of the run…you will break even in YEARS!

    (big grin)

    I’m a new chicken owner. I am building my own coop. My partner teases me how much I have been paying for “free” eggs.

    Sigh – I don’t think many of us do this to save money -more to have more control of where our food comes from.

  • Hi,
    I see that you are paying about $1 / kg for feed. Would you be interested in bartering a half dozen eggs for about 4 kg of ‘spent grain’ from a local homebrewer? Spent grain is what is left over after mashing and sparging malted grain. Basically, I try to get as much starch out of the grain (for alcohol), and leave as much protein, fibre, and fat behind (they don’t taste good in beer).
    I have tried using it for food (tastes good, but too much hassle), but currently compost it, and would like to see it used for something better than that. It is usually sold as animal feed by commercial breweries. I’m sure it is very good for chickens, and probably tastes good (it is slightly sweet). My grain is usually about 2/3 barley malt and 1/3 whole wheat flour. It has the consistency of a thick porridge, and will keep for at least a week if refrigerated (or freeze it).
    I would be willing to deliver – I think we live nearby (I’m at OssingtonandBloor). Email me if interested, zanis.v at gmail.

  • Jackandjill says:

    Hi , I am new owner of 5 backyard chickens in NewJersey. Do you mind sharing info on where you get $26 per 25kg mash ? Prices I checked are in the range of $70 (US) per 50lb bag. Thats almost 3 times the cost.

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