💰 The honest spreadsheet

Chicken math: what backyard birds really cost

Upfront setup, monthly care, and egg output for chickens, ducks, and quail — so you know before the feed store knows you by name.

TL;DR — Expect roughly $400–500 upfront for a 6-bird chicken setup (birds, brooder, coop, feeder) and about $35/month ongoing. Ducks run higher (~$49/mo), quail lower (~$21/mo). Six hens ≈ 30 eggs/week — you keep chickens for the eggs and the joy, not the savings.
Startup costs

💰 Upfront costs

Getting started isn't just buying a few chicks. Here's a realistic setup budget for six birds.

ItemChickensDucksQuail
Birds (6 total)$30$36$24
Starter Brooder Setup$50$60$40
Coop or Pen$300$350$200
Feeder + Waterer$30$35$25
Incubator (optional)$40–$400 depending on model — see our recommendations
Ongoing costs

📆 Monthly costs

Feed, bedding, and occasional health items. Ducks eat more; quail eat less but need specialty feed.

ItemChickensDucksQuail
Feed$20$30$10
Bedding / Cleaning$10$12$8
Supplements / Misc.$5$7$3
Egg output

📊 Egg output vs. cost

Once mature, birds lay consistently (except in winter). Here's the math on six birds:

🐔 Chickens

~30 eggs/week
(5/week × 6 hens)
≈ $7.50 of eggs weekly

🦆 Ducks

24–30 eggs/week
(4–5/week × 6 ducks)
≈ $9 of eggs weekly

🐥 Quail

~36 eggs/week
(6/week × 6 quail)
≈ $5 of eggs weekly

🧮 Chicken math calculator

Adjust how many birds you raise and estimate monthly costs: