Whether you view your small poultry flock as a hobby or a significant contribution to the family diet, it is useful to estimate the costs of maintaining the flock. The following budgets for layer and broiler flocks (Tables 2 and 3, respectively) were developed by Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist for the University of Maryland Extension. They are based on his personal experience in raising layer and broiler flocks and in consultation with other producers. Small flock production is highly variable and good management is important for efficiency. Some producers will be much less efficient than what is reflected in these budgets while other producers will be more efficient. Following each of the budgets are a set of assumptions in which the budgets are based. These explanations will assist you in calculating your own numbers. You are encouraged to estimate your own budgets based on the number of laying hens or broilers that you are planning to raise. You should also consider your level of experience and your availability of inputs.
| Dozen Eggs Produced (2) | 800 | |||
| Stewing hens | 20 | |||
| Unit | Amount | Price | Total | |
| Cash Expense | ||||
| Chicks (3) | Per chick | 25 | $2.00 | $50.00 |
| Feed | ||||
| Chick Starter | 50 lb bag | 3 | $13.00 | $39.00 |
| Early Bird Grower | 50 lb bag | 5 | $12.00 | $60.00 |
| Layer Feed (4) | 50 lb bag | 80 | $11.00 | $880.00 |
| Heat Bulb (5) | per bulb | 1 | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Mileage to Slaughter Facility (6) | miles | 40 | $0.50 | $20.00 |
| Slaughter Fee | per bird | 20 | $2.00 | $40.00 |
| Total Expenses |
$1,096.00 |
|||
| Total Cash Expense Per Dozen | $1.37 | |||
| Other Required Resources | ||||
| Housing Set-Up Costs (8) | $750.00 | |||
| Feeder and Water Start-Up Costs (9) | $75.00 | |||
| Labor Hours (10) | hr/day |
0.25 |
730 | 182.5 |
Assumptions
1. This budget is based on a two year lifespan. Some producers keep hens 3-4 years but egg production will diminish dramatically.
2. Production is calculated as 550 days x 25 hens x 70% egg yield. Out of two years, 180 days are required for raising chicks and molting. A 20% mortality over the life of the flock is factored into the egg yield. This egg yield also assumes supplementary lighting in the winter.
3. Chick prices are highly variable. Local hatcheries often have cheapest chicks. Make sure quality is good and chicks are vaccinated for Marek’s disease.
4. Bagged feed from a reputable feed company. Also include crushed oyster shell to maintain calcium levels for layer hens. The feed conversion ratio in this budget is about five pounds of feed to one dozen eggs (50 lbs per week per 25 hens). Use good feeders to reduce waste.
5. Heat bulbs generally last one flock. Careful handling may extend life.
6. Many backyard producers prefer to have birds slaughtered by someone else. If this is your desire, then make sure there is a facility within reasonable distance.
7. Twenty stewing hens based on 20% mortality over life of flock.
8. Housing expenses are highly variable. This budget includes a chicken coop ($500) and poly wire netting electric fence ($250). Both will last several years.
9. Feeders and waterers, an estimated cost of $75, will last several years.
10. Fifteen minutes a day to take care of flock. This includes feeding, and collecting and washing eggs. It is obvious that valuing labor would keep most small flock producers from raising layers if they were doing it for economic reasons.
| Dressed lbs produced (2) | 7 lbs/ bird | 45 birds | 315 | |
| Unit | Amount | Price | Total | |
| Cash Expenses | ||||
| Chicks (3) | per chick | 50 | $1.00 | $50.00 |
| Feed | ||||
| Chick Starter (4) | 50 lb bag | 3 | $13.00 | $39.00 |
| Early Bird Grower | 50 lb bag | 4 | $12.00 | $48.00 |
| Bird Finisher (4) | 50 lb bag | 5 | $11.00 | $55.00 |
| Heat Bulb (5) | per bulb | 1 | $7.00 |
$7.00 |
| Mileage to Slaughter Facility (6) | miles | 40 | 4.50 | $20.00 |
| Slaughter Fee | per bird | 45 | $2.00 | $90.00 |
| Total Expenses | $309.00 | |||
| Total cash expense per dozen | $0.98 | |||
| Other Required Resources | ||||
| Housing Start-Up Costs (8) | $200.00 | |||
| Feeder and Waterer Start-Up costs (9) | $75.00 | |||
| Labor Hours (10) | hr/day | .3 | 70 | 21 |
Assumptions
1. Many backyard producers experience up to 10% mortality or higher; however, good management may reduce the mortality rate.
2. This budget assumes it takes 10 weeks to grow straight-run (male and female mixed) birds to an average weight of seven pounds dressed weight. Slaughtering at lighter weights will require less time and feed.
3. Chick prices are highly variable. Local hatcheries often have the cheapest chicks. Make sure quality is good and that chicks are vaccinated for Marek’s disease.
4. Bagged feed from reputable feed company. The feed conversion ratio in this budget is about two pounds of feed to one pound dressed weight. This is assuming that birds are on pasture for about six weeks and receive 10%-20% of their diet requirements from pasture.
5. Heat bulbs generally last one flock. Careful handling may extend life.
6. Most backyard producers prefer to have birds slaughtered by someone else. If this is your desire, then make sure there is a facility within reasonable distance.
7. Whole birds bagged in loose plastic bags. Vacuum bags will cost $0.50 - $0.75 more per bird.
8. Housing expenses are highly variable. This budget includes a pasture coop which cost $200 to build(not including labor) and will last several years.
9. Feeders and waterers, an estimated cost of $75, will last several years.
10. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day to take care of flock. This includes moving pasture coop twice a day. It is obvious that valuing labor would keep most small flock producers from raising broilers if they were doing it for economic reasons.