How Much Does It Cost to Feed Chickens in Ontario? 2026 Calculator

If you keep backyard chickens in Ontario, feed will usually be one of your most predictable ongoing expenses. But how much should you actually budget for your flock?

For a practical 2026 estimate, a laying hen eating around 100 grams of complete layer feed per day uses approximately 3 kg of feed per month. At a current example price of $29.98 for a 25 kg bag, that works out to approximately $3.60 per hen per month before HST.

Your actual cost can be higher or lower depending on feed price, flock size, bird size, season, feed waste, forage and the type of ration you purchase.

This guide explains how to calculate your cost to feed chickens in Ontario, including a simple calculator for 1–50 hens.

 How Much Does It Cost to Feed Chickens in Ontario?

For budgeting purposes, you can start with approximately 100 g of complete feed per laying hen per day.

At a feed price of $29.98 per 25 kg bag:

Flock Size	Approx. Feed/Month	Approx. Monthly Feed Cost*
1 hen	3 kg	$3.60
5 hens	15 kg	$17.99
10 hens	30 kg	$35.98
15 hens	45 kg	$53.96
20 hens	60 kg	$71.95
25 hens	75 kg	$89.94
30 hens	90 kg	$107.93
40 hens	120 kg	$143.90
50 hens	150 kg	$179.88

Example calculation using $29.98 per 25 kg bag, before HST. Actual prices vary by supplier, product and location.

A current Ontario example from Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies lists Masterfeeds 18% AV Layer Feed, available as pellet or crumble, at $29.98 per 25 kg, excluding GST/HST.

The same retailer lists Jones Feed Mills 18% Layer Crumbs at $31.98 per 25 kg, excluding GST/HST.

How Much Feed Does a Laying Hen Eat Per Day?

Feed consumption varies with the bird, production level, weather, feed formulation and management.

For a simple backyard-flock budget, 100 g per hen per day is an easy number to work with.

That means:

100 g × 30 days = 3,000 g

or:

3 kg of feed per hen per month.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs research illustrates why feed intake should be treated as an estimate rather than a fixed number. In one commercial-layer study, hens consumed 86.7 g per bird per day under the control conditions, while feed intake changed substantially under heat stress.

For a backyard flock, monitor actual consumption and adjust your budget based on what your birds are eating.

2026 Chicken Feed Cost Calculator

Here is the basic formula:

Daily Feed

Number of hens × daily feed per hen = daily feed requirement

For example:

10 hens × 100 g = 1,000 g per day

That is:

1 kg of feed per day.

Monthly Feed

1 kg × 30 days = 30 kg per month

Cost Per Kilogram

If a 25 kg bag costs $29.98:

$29.98 ÷ 25 = $1.199/kg

Rounded:

$1.20 per kg

Monthly Cost

30 kg × $1.20 = approximately $36 per month

So, using this example:

10 laying hens cost approximately $36 per month to feed.

Cost to Feed 1–50 Chickens in Ontario

The following table uses a budgeting assumption of 100 g of feed per hen per day and an example feed price of $29.98 per 25 kg bag.

Hens	Feed/Day	Feed/30 Days	Approx. Monthly Cost
1	0.1 kg	3 kg	$3.60
2	0.2 kg	6 kg	$7.20
3	0.3 kg	9 kg	$10.79
4	0.4 kg	12 kg	$14.39
5	0.5 kg	15 kg	$17.99
10	1 kg	30 kg	$35.98
15	1.5 kg	45 kg	$53.96
20	2 kg	60 kg	$71.95
25	2.5 kg	75 kg	$89.94
30	3 kg	90 kg	$107.93
40	4 kg	120 kg	$143.90
50	5 kg	150 kg	$179.88

Simple Formula

You can calculate your own flock cost with:

Monthly feed cost = Number of hens × daily feed grams × 30 ÷ 1,000 × feed price per kg

For a 25 kg bag:

Feed price per kg = Bag price ÷ 25

How Long Does a 25 kg Bag of Chicken Feed Last?

A 25 kg bag contains 25,000 grams of feed.

At 100 g per hen per day:

1 Hen

25,000 ÷ 100 = 250 days

5 Hens

25,000 ÷ 500 = 50 days

10 Hens

25,000 ÷ 1,000 = 25 days

20 Hens

25,000 ÷ 2,000 = 12.5 days

25 Hens

25,000 ÷ 2,500 = 10 days

This is why flock size makes such a big difference to your annual feed budget.

What Does It Cost to Feed 10 Chickens?

For 10 laying hens eating approximately 100 g each per day:

10 × 100 g = 1 kg/day

Over 30 days:

1 kg × 30 = 30 kg/month

At $29.98 per 25 kg:

30 × $1.199 = approximately $35.98/month

Therefore, a reasonable example budget is:

About $36 per month for 10 hens

or approximately:

$432 per year

before HST and before accounting for feed waste, treats, scratch grain or price changes.

What Does It Cost to Feed 20 Chickens?

Twenty hens at 100 g per bird per day require approximately:

2 kg per day

Over 30 days:

60 kg per month

At $1.199/kg:

60 × $1.199 = $71.94

So your estimated feed budget would be approximately:

$72 per month for 20 hens

or approximately:

$864 per year

What Does It Cost to Feed 50 Chickens?

A flock of 50 hens at 100 g per bird per day would require approximately:

5 kg per day

Over 30 days:

150 kg per month

At $1.199/kg:

150 × $1.199 = approximately $179.85

That gives an example annual feed budget of roughly:

$2,158 per year

before HST and other feeding expenses.

Does Chicken Feed Cost More in Ontario During Winter?

Winter can affect the amount of feed a flock needs.

Chickens use energy to maintain body temperature, and cold weather can change their feeding behaviour. OMAFRA notes that hens adjust feed intake according to environmental temperature and that colder conditions can cause birds to eat more to generate body heat.

However, you should not automatically add a fixed percentage to every winter flock.

Actual requirements depend on:

• Outdoor temperature

• Housing and ventilation

• Bird size

• Breed

• Egg production

• Access to forage

• Feed quality

• Feed waste

• Overall flock management

  
  

For Ontario backyard keepers, the safest approach is to monitor actual feed disappearance during cold weather and use your flock's consumption to adjust your budget.

Layer Pellets vs Layer Crumble: Does Feed Form Change Cost?

Both pellets and crumble can be used as complete poultry rations when they are formulated for the appropriate life stage.

OMAFRA explains that pellets are produced by processing feed into a consistent form, while crumble is essentially pelleted feed broken into smaller pieces.

The more important comparison is often:

Price per kilogram + nutritional suitability + feed waste

rather than simply choosing the cheapest bag.

For example, current Ontario listings show different prices for layer products.

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies lists Masterfeeds 18% AV Layer Feed at $29.98 per 25 kg, while its Jones Feed Mills 18% Layer Crumbs listing is $31.98 per 25 kg, both excluding GST/HST.

Prices can change, so always check the current bag price before calculating your annual budget.

Complete Layer Feed vs Scratch Grain

One of the most important points for backyard chicken owners is that scratch grain should not automatically replace a complete layer ration.

Complete layer feeds are formulated to provide nutrients appropriate for laying hens.

OMAFRA notes that poultry diets need to provide nutrients at appropriate levels and that nutritional requirements change according to species, life stage and production type.

Scratch grain can be used as part of a feeding program, depending on the product and flock-management approach, but it should not be assumed to provide the same nutritional profile as a complete layer ration.

When comparing feed costs, compare products that serve the same nutritional purpose.

5 Ways to Reduce Chicken Feed Costs in Ontario

Buy the Right Feed for the Life Stage

Avoid paying for a ration that is not appropriate for your birds.

Laying hens need a ration designed for laying birds rather than chick starter or grower feed.

Reduce Feed Waste

Feed spilled onto bedding can quickly become a hidden expense.

Use a suitable feeder and position it at an appropriate height for the birds.

Store Feed Properly

Keep feed in a clean, dry, pest-resistant container.

Moisture can damage feed quality and attract rodents.

Compare Price Per Kilogram

Do not compare only the sticker price.

A $30 bag and a $35 bag may have different weights.

Use:

Bag price ÷ bag weight = cost per kilogram

This makes comparisons much easier.

Track Your Actual Consumption

For one month, record:

• Starting feed inventory

• Bags purchased

• Feed remaining

• Number of hens

• Approximate feed waste

You can then calculate your flock's real feed cost instead of relying entirely on estimates.

What Other Chicken-Feeding Costs Should You Budget For?

Feed is not the only cost involved in keeping chickens.

Depending on your setup, your overall poultry budget may include:

• Complete layer feed

• Scratch grain or treats

• Grit

• Oyster shell or other calcium source where appropriate

• Feeders

• Waterers

• Bedding

• Coop maintenance

• Fencing

• Replacement birds

• Heating or winter equipment

• Pest-control measures

  
  

Your feed-only budget is therefore different from your total chicken-keeping cost.

Ontario Chicken Feed Cost Calculator: Quick Reference

For a quick estimate, remember these three numbers:

100 g

Approximate daily feed budget per hen used for this calculator.

3 kg

Approximate 30-day feed requirement per hen.

$3.60

Approximate monthly feed cost per hen when feed costs $29.98 per 25 kg.

Your actual results will change when the feed price or flock consumption changes.

FAQ?

How much does it cost to feed one chicken per month in Ontario?

Using 100 g of feed per day and a $29.98 price for a 25 kg bag, one hen consumes approximately 3 kg per month, costing about $3.60 per month before HST.

How much does it cost to feed 10 chickens per month?

At 100 g per bird per day, 10 hens use approximately 30 kg per month. At $29.98 per 25 kg, that is approximately $35.98 per month before HST.

How much feed does a laying hen eat per day?

Feed intake varies. For budgeting, this article uses 100 g per hen per day. OMAFRA research demonstrates that actual intake can vary with environmental conditions and production circumstances.

How long does a 25 kg bag of feed last?

At 100 g per hen per day, a 25 kg bag provides approximately 250 hen-days of feed. For 10 hens, that works out to approximately 25 days.

Does winter increase chicken feed consumption?

Cold conditions can increase energy requirements and may increase feed intake. OMAFRA notes that hens normally eat more in colder conditions to generate body heat.

Is layer crumble better than layer pellets?

Neither should automatically be considered better. Both can be appropriate complete feed forms when correctly formulated. OMAFRA describes crumble as pelleted feed broken into smaller pieces.

Is scratch grain cheaper than layer feed?

Scratch grain may have a lower price per kilogram, but price alone does not determine feeding value. Complete layer feed is formulated to provide the nutrients laying hens need, so compare products based on both cost and nutritional purpose.

How can I calculate my own chicken feed cost?

Use:

Number of hens × grams per hen per day × 30 ÷ 1,000 × feed price per kg

For example, 10 hens × 100 g × 30 ÷ 1,000 × $1.199/kg = approximately $35.97 per month.