Are Backyard Eggs Really Cheaper Than the Store?

Are backyard eggs really cheaper?

It depends almost entirely on feed cost and how well your hens lay. A flock in full lay through summer can easily beat grocery prices; the same flock in a winter molt can cost more per dozen than the store.

The simple math

1. Work out your feed cost per pound (bag price ÷ bag weight).
2. Multiply by how much your flock eats per month.
3. Divide total monthly cost by the dozens your hens actually lay.

That last number is your cost per dozen. Our egg & feed cost calculator does all of this in a few seconds.

Levers that move the number

• Feed price: buying in bulk or splitting pallets with neighbors helps most.
• Lay rate: light in winter and good nutrition keep hens producing.
• Waste: treadle feeders and dry storage cut spillage and spoilage.

Know your real numbers

Estimates are a starting point. Logging actual egg counts and feed buys over a season turns guesses into your true cost — which is exactly what the app's production tracking is for.