Backyard Chickens

Are Backyard Chickens Worth It?

With egg prices, shortages, and recalls making headlines from time to time, backyard chickens start looking pretty appealing. But are they really worth the trouble—and do they actually save money?

I grew up around chickens, and I've raised my own backyard chickens several times over the years. I've only rehomed my flocks when travel made keeping them impractical, and every time I've had chickens, I've enjoyed having them.

The biggest benefit?

I never ran out of eggs.

We ate fresh eggs every day, and sometimes I had more eggs than we knew what to do with.

Fresh Eggs

Getting Started Doesn't Have to Be Expensive

You really don't need a fancy setup to raise chicks.

I've started chicks right in my kitchen using a dog crate, along with inexpensive feeders and waterers purchased at Tractor Supply. You'll also need appropriate chick feed and, when they're young, a safe source of warmth.

I've even ordered chicks through the mail. Yes, live baby chicks can actually arrive at your local post office!

Baby Chick in kitchen box

Once they're old enough to move outside, you'll need a secure coop and enclosed area.

Because I live within city limits, I've never wanted my chickens roaming freely. I supplemented their regular chicken feed and scratch with table scraps and weeds.

I'd even gather suitable greens and plants, including chickweed and other vegetation growing nearby or from the park, to give them some variety.

They loved it.

My compost bin, however, did not.

Once I had chickens, it seemed like almost every kitchen scrap that would normally have gone into the compost suddenly went to the hens instead.

Box and leaves for their nest. Used a simple office lamp for heat.

Did Backyard Chickens Save Me Money?

Maybe.

After factoring in feed and supplies, I think I roughly broke even.

If your only goal is obtaining the cheapest possible dozen eggs, backyard chickens may disappoint you. Feed costs money, caregiving is a daily requirement, and hens don't produce the same number of eggs throughout their entire lives. If you live on acreage, there are other ways to supplement and replace their feed.

But farming my own eggs wasn't the only reason.

I knew where my eggs came from.

I had fresh eggs practically every day.

I could turn many of our kitchen scraps into eggs instead of waste.

And most importantly from a preparedness standpoint, I wasn't completely dependent on the grocery store for eggs. Or worried about recalls and shortages.

That has value too.

Overwhelmed with eggs

Before You Buy Your First Chicks

Getting started can be surprisingly simple but check your local rules first.

Find out:

How many hens you're allowed to keep.
Whether roosters are permitted.
How far the coop must be from neighboring homes or property lines.
Whether your HOA has additional restrictions.

And don't underestimate predators.

Keeping the girls extra safe during the day

Chickens need a secure place to be locked up every night.

Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, opossums, snakes, dogs, and other animals can turn an unsecured backyard flock into a disaster surprisingly quickly.

table scraps - nothing wasted!

So, Are Backyard Chickens Worth It?

For me, yes.

Not because they saved me a fortune.

They didn't.

They were worth it because we had fresh eggs every day, fewer kitchen scraps going to waste, and one more small piece of our food supply coming directly from our own backyard.

There's also something satisfying about walking outside in the morning and finding breakfast waiting for you. Sometimes from your opened window, you might even hear your breakfast being made!