Feed Cost Per Dozen Eggs Calculator

How much does it cost to feed chickens per dozen eggs? This page keeps two numbers separate on purpose: feed-only cost per dozen and all-in cost per dozen. Mixing them is why different tools seem to contradict each other. It runs entirely in your browser and saves or sends nothing.

How it works

Feed per day = hens × lb per hen per day × (1 + waste). Eggs per day = hens × eggs per hen per week ÷ 7. Feed per dozen = feed per day ÷ (eggs per day ÷ 12). Feed cost per dozen = feed per dozen × price per lb. All-in cost per dozen = feed cost per dozen + (other monthly costs ÷ eggs per month × 12). Cost per egg = feed cost per dozen ÷ 12.

Worked example

With the defaults above: 10 hens × 0.25 lb × 1.05 waste = 2.63 lb of feed per day. At 5 eggs per hen per week, that is about 7.14 eggs per day, so feed per dozen is about 4.41 lb. At $20 for a 50 lb bag ($0.40 per lb), feed cost is about $1.76 per dozen. With $10 of other monthly costs, all-in cost is about $2.32 per dozen. Change the bag price or lay rate and both numbers move — that is the point: neither number is a fixed price.

Why two numbers, and a warning about published examples

A University of Maryland Extension small-flock example gives 4.5 lb of feed per dozen and $3.37 per dozen all-in in that example, excluding labour. That $3.37 is an all-in example figure, not a feed-only figure and not a current price, so do not compare it directly with a feed-only result from this page. Seasonal lay rate matters too: the same flock costs more per dozen in winter when fewer eggs are laid, even if feed use stays the same.

Limits and FAQ

Is this a profit promise? No. It only estimates cost from the numbers you enter; egg prices, losses, veterinary costs and your time are not fully covered, and labour is excluded from the all-in figure unless you add it to other costs yourself. What if lay rate changes? Enter the current rate, not the best week. Do I need an account? No. This page is not legal, financial or veterinary advice.

About and privacy

This is a free, single-purpose calculator. All calculation happens in your browser. No account, no upload, no tracking by this page beyond any ads Google may serve after approval.