Tag: predators

The Truth About Raising Chickens: What Nobody Tells You

The Real Costs & Challenges of Backyard Chickens

Let’s talk about the reality of keeping backyard chickens, because I think many people don’t fully realize what they’re getting into.
First of all, while fresh eggs are certainly nice to have, it’s important to understand they will cost you far more than store bought eggs. Feed isn’t cheap, and the supplies needed to keep your flock healthy are ongoing expenses. No matter how budget friendly your plans or set-up ideas may be. Below is a realistic guideline of what you can expect to pay for your initial backyard set-up for 6 hens and the ongoing costs.

Coop & Run:
DYI Bare-bones: $800–$1,200
Average, solid setup: $1,200–$1,800
Prebuilt / higher quality: $1,800–$2,500+
What Size Coop? How Much Space Your Chickens Will Need
Ongoing Costs:
Feed: $15–$30/month
Bedding , upkeep, supplements / treats : $10–$35/month
Rough yearly cost for 6 hens: $500–$1,000

Those are the basic facts, and maybe you’ve already considered them, but I know what you’re thinking. I can do it cheaper! Could you? Yes. Will you wish down the road you hadn’t cut corners? Yes.
So let’s get into what you may have overlooked, the things nobody wants to talk about. If you’re going to keep chickens, this is the part you need to be clear-eyed about. Things will go wrong at some point. Fact: There will be unexpected health issues, injuries, and problems when keeping chickens. You can expect health problems to occur, most common are egg related issues, digestive problems, respiratory illness, and external parasites. You will see bullying that can cause injuries, which are disturbing to witness. Therefore, you should be prepared to have a dedicated space to isolate a sick or injured bird, which is another expense.

Let’s Do Egg Math

Farm Eggs
Store Eggs

In 2026, eggs at a typical U.S. grocery store tends to fall roughly in the range of about $1.50 – $3.50 per dozen for conventionally raised hens. So if you buy 2 dozen conventional eggs per week, you’d spend roughly $156–$312 per year.
Cage‑free, organic, or free‑range eggs at about $4–$6+ per dozen, buying 2 dozen a week would cost roughly $416–$624+ per year.
Fact: 6 hens will not provide 2 dozen eggs in a week, 18 would be more realistic. Also, take into consideration, hens lay much less, if at all during the winter months. And if you have broody1 breeds, they might not lay for months at at time.

Costs of Purchasing Your Flock
Approximate Price Breakdown for Buying Chickens in the U.S.

Let’s start with 6 chickens, which is a good number for a family of 4, the cost varies depending on their age.
Baby chicks, which are day old or a few weeks old, typically cost around $3–$10 each for common laying breeds, so you’re looking at roughly $18–$60 for six.
*Chicks are the cheapest upfront, but they require extra care, including a brooder, heat, and starter feed. Raising Baby Chicks, Everything You Need to Know
Pullets, which are young hens nearing laying age, usually run about $15–$30 each, bringing the total for six to around $90–$180.
* Pullets are popular because they start laying soon after arrival, offering a balance between cost and convenience.
Adult laying hens, already producing eggs, cost the most upfront, typically $20–$50 per bird, so six would set you back about $120–$300.
* While pricier, adult hens give you fresh eggs immediately without the wait. Prices can fluctuate based on breed, and where you buy them, with specialty or rare breeds often costing significantly more.

🐀What You Don’t Want to Hear….

Chickens will undoubtedly attract predators. If your coop isn’t properly secured, the consequences can be devastating. This is not an area to cut corners, no matter where you live. Whether you’re in the country, the city, or the suburbs, your flock is at risk without proper protection. What kind of predators? Most common are coyotes, racoons, fox, hawks, owls, weasels, mink, opossums, and sometimes dogs.
Now let’s talk about rodents. Yes, chickens attract rats and mice, something your neighbors won’t be to keen on. While you can take steps to minimize their presence, it’s unlikely you’ll eliminate them entirely. And if rodents show up, snakes won’t be far behind. They’re drawn in by an easy food source, feeding on mice, rats, and even eggs.

Why We Do It

Knowing all the challenges, people still choose to raise chickens because the rewards can make it worth it. Fresh eggs are a big reason, they often taste better, and you know exactly where they come from.
Chickens teach responsibility, commitment, patience, and problem solving. There’s also a sense of pride that comes from raising a healthy flock and collecting eggs you helped produce. In the end, people don’t raise chickens because it’s easy or cheap, they do it because it’s rewarding and interesting.
So there you have it, the honest scoop on raising chickens. Now it’s up to you to decide if it’s right for you.

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  1. the term “broody” refers to a hen that has the strong instinct to sit on eggs and hatch them, rather than just lay eggs. A broody hen usually stops laying until the broodiness passes or the eggs hatch. ↩︎

Short Video of Predators Caught on Camera on Our Hobby Farm

It’s a Jungle Out There!

There really isn’t anywhere chickens are safe from predators, not even in the city. We live in a highly populated area of Phoenix, Arizona, and despite the freeways, heavy traffic, and dense housing, we still have unwanted predators visiting nearly every day. I haven’t been able to get a clear photo of the coyotes that are constantly around, mostly because they show up around 3 a.m., but eventually I’ll capture some footage and post that as well.
We don’t discourage wildlife from sharing nature; we simply outsmart them when it comes to protecting our hens.

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Most Common Urban Chicken Predators in Phoenix AZ

How to Keep Your Flock Safe from These Common Natural Predators

Coyote

Coyotes are common in urban areas of Phoenix and are known to prey on chickens. These animals are highly adaptable predators that can thrive in a variety of habitats, including rural, and highly populated urban areas. They are opportunistic hunters & it’s almost certain the coyote will eventually find your chickens.
Note: The coyote rarely takes one bird, they are known to kill the entire flock, take one or two birds and leave the dead behind.

Harris Hawk

The Harris Hawk is a bird of prey that can swoop down and carry off small animals, including chickens. They are known to be skilled predators, and they hunt a variety of prey. They hunt in groups, which is uncommon among raptors.
They often hunt cooperatively, with one bird flushing prey from cover while another waits in ambush. This allows them to take down larger prey than they could handle alone.
The Harris hawk is a skilled and adaptable hunter that has evolved unique hunting behaviors to maximize its chances of success in capturing prey.

Bobcat

Bobcats are carnivorous animals and are known to prey on a variety of animals, including chickens. When hunting chickens, bobcats use their keen senses of sight, hearing, and smell to detect their prey. So it’s especially important to keep your keep clean. Bobcats typically wait until dusk to hunt, but keep in mind, I have experienced an attack during the day, so always assume your birds are at risk if unprotected. Bobcats aren’t known to be greedy, they usually take just one bird.

Racoon

Raccoons are known to be skilled at breaking into chicken coops and killing chickens. They are not a huge threat in the city, but I have seen them on our urban farm.
Raccoons are a type of mammal that are known for their distinctive “hands.” Raccoon hands which are very dexterous and have long, flexible fingers that can grasp and manipulate objects with ease, such as latches on coop doors.

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes can pose a threat to chickens, they are venomous snakes that are found not only in desert areas but the city as well. They are known to prey on small animals which includes birds. Chickens are potential prey for rattlesnakes because they are small and often forage on the ground, which makes them vulnerable to snake attacks. If a rattlesnake can get into a chicken coop or other chicken enclosure, it may be able to kill or injure chickens.

How to Protect Your Backyard Flock From Predators

Secure your coop: Make sure that your coop is secure and predator-proof. This includes using sturdy materials for the coop, such as wire mesh or hardware cloth, and ensuring that all openings are covered with tight-fitting, predator-resistant material. It is also important to have a strong lock on the door, as many predators are quite clever at finding their way in.
Provide a secure run: A run is a fenced-in area where your chickens can roam during the day. Make sure the run is secure with a sturdy fence that is buried at least 6 inches into the ground to prevent predators from digging underneath it. Cover the top of the run with netting or wire mesh to prevent hawks or other birds of prey from swooping in.
Keep the area clean: Predators are attracted to areas where they can easily find food, so make sure to clean up any spilled food or water and store feed in a secure container. Also, remove any debris or brush around the coop that predators could use as cover. Droppings from your birds are also an attractant, clean the coop at least once a week.
Use lights and sound: Some predators are deterred by lights or loud noises. You can install motion-activated lights around the coop or a device that emits sound to deter predators.

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