How Much Feed Do Laying Hens Need? A Simple Way to Budget

Feed is the largest recurring cost of keeping hens. You do not need a perfect estimate. You need one number that matches your flock: how many days a bag lasts.

By the Egg Cost Check team · Published 2026-10-18 · Updated 2026-10-18

A typical range

Mississippi State University Extension gives a typical laying-hen range of about one quarter to one third of a pound of feed per day. Actual use depends on breed, age, weather, whether hens have outdoor space, and how much feed gets spilled or wasted.

What that means for a small flock

This is simple arithmetic on that range, not a guarantee.

• 6 hens at ¼ lb a day use about 1.5 lb a day, or roughly 46 lb a month.
• 6 hens at ⅓ lb a day use about 2 lb a day, or roughly 61 lb a month.
• A 50 lb bag would last about 25 to 33 days at those rates.

Bag sizes and prices differ by feed type and store, so check yours.

Measure your own bag duration

1. Write the date when you open a new bag and fill the feeder from it.
2. Write the date when the bag is empty.
3. Count the days. That is the number for the "how long one bag lasts" field.
4. Repeat for two or three bags. Seasons change appetite, so keep the average.

This method includes wastage automatically, which makes it better than any published average.

Turn it into a monthly cost

Our calculator uses this formula: feed bag price × 30.4 ÷ days one bag lasts. A $22 bag that lasts 30 days costs about $22.29 a month. Add your other monthly costs to get your running cost. The full list of formulas is on the method page.

Ways feed cost changes

• Feed type: layer pellets, organic and non-GMO feed are priced differently.
• Free ranging can reduce feed use for some flocks, but it does not remove the need for balanced feed.
• Hens that molt or slow down in winter still eat, so your cost per dozen rises when laying drops.
• Waste from spills and pests adds up. A covered feeder and a closed storage bin help.

Enter your bag price and duration →

Sources

• Mississippi State University Extension
• Oklahoma State University Extension

More guides

• Are Backyard Chickens Cheaper Than Buying Eggs?
• Backyard Chicken Startup Costs: What to Budget For
• Before You Buy Chickens: A Practical Checklist

How we write: we link the sources we use, we label examples as examples and we do not claim hands-on results we have not had. See our method. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.