How Much Does It Cost to Buy and Keep Chickens in NZ?

Are you curious about the true cost of keeping chickens in New Zealand? Whether you’re starting a backyard flock or expanding an existing one, understanding how much chickens cost and what to budget for is essential.

From the price of the birds themselves to ongoing expenses like feed and health products, keeping chickens can be both an affordable and rewarding experience.

See also our list of everything you need to keep chickens.

Setup Costs for 8 Chickens

Let’s break down the example of getting 8 chickens in New Zealand. If you’re wondering how much a chicken costs, chicks can range from NZ$1-10 each, and mature hens are priced around NZ$20-60.

For this example, we’ve chosen 8 chicks at NZ$5 each, for a total of NZ$40.

1. Cost of Chickens: NZ$40 for 8 chicks
2. Chicken Coop: You can either go for a DIY option made from recycled materials for around NZ$50-200, or buy a pre-built, durable coop ranging from NZ$500-3,000. In this case, we assume a mid-range pre-built coop at NZ$500.
3. Fenced Chicken Run: A safe run will cost between NZ$100-500. For this setup, we’ve used NZ$300 for materials.
4. Feeders: The Dine-A-Chook Twinpack Feeder costs around NZ$120 for two durable feeders. These feeders are designed to last and prevent feed wastage. (see current price in the link)
5. Drinkers: The Dine-A-Chook Twinpack Drinker costs around NZ$120 for two drinkers, ensuring your chickens have access to fresh water at all times. (see current price in the link)
6. Predator Protection: Bird netting and wire mesh to protect your flock will cost between NZ$50-150. You can get heavy-duty bird netting from Dine-A-Chook, which ensures your chickens are safe from predators and keeps wild birds out of the run. We’ve estimated NZ$100 for this example.
7. Brooder for Chicks: If you start with chicks, a brooder setup will cost anywhere from NZ$50 to 1,000 depending on the equipment. In this case, we’ve estimated NZ$150 for a basic brooder with a heat lamp.

In total, the initial fixed costs for this setup come to NZ$1,330, covering everything from the chickens themselves to housing, feeders, drinkers, and predator protection.

Once the setup is complete, you’ll also need to budget for monthly costs:

1. Feed: For 8 chickens, the cost of bulk feed is NZ$1-2 per chicken per month, totalling around NZ$16 per month. You can keep feed costs down by using a Dine-A-Chook Feeder to minimise spillage and waste.
2. Bedding: Pine shavings or straw will need to be replaced regularly, costing NZ$10-30 per month.
3. Supplements and Health Products: Grit, calcium, and other supplements will add around NZ$10-20 per month. Additionally, a basic first-aid kit might cost NZ$30-50 as a one-time expense.
4. Electricity for Heat and Light: In winter, you might need heat lamps and lighting, which can add NZ$10-20 per month.

In total, expect monthly ongoing costs of around NZ$76 to maintain a flock of 8 chickens.

The monthly costs come to around 10 dollars per month per chicken.

But again, this can vary a lot. If you them a lot of treats like mealworms and feed them lot’s of leafy greens and fruit the price might shoot up. Then again, you can bring the price down by buying feed in bulk and choosing cheaper options.

Initial Fixed Costs of Getting Chickens and Equipment for Them

Initial fixed costs come from the coop, equipment, and of course the chooks themselves.

Cost of Chickens

The initial cost of getting chickens largely depends on whether you choose chicks or mature hens. Chicks are more affordable, but they require more time and care before they start laying eggs. Mature hens, while more expensive, will produce eggs immediately.

• Chicks: NZ$1-10 each
• Mature Hens: NZ$30-60 each

Of course those are just some rough numbers. Buying many chickens might bring the cost down, or you might be lucky and get free chics from friends or local growers. Some breeds might also be more expensive than these example prices.

For more information, read our article about where to buy chickens in New Zealand.

Coop Setup

The chicken coop is your biggest one-time investment.

You can either build a coop using recycled materials to save on costs, or you can purchase a pre-built one.

• DIY Coop: NZ$50-200 using scrap or affordable materials
• Pre-built Coop: NZ$500-3000 for a durable, weather-resistant model

A well-built coop will provide shelter and protection for your flock, so it’s worth budgeting carefully.

Fenced Chicken Run

A secure chicken run is necessary for letting your chickens roam safely without exposing them to predators.

Fenced run can cost between NZ$100-500 depending on the size and materials used

A DIY approach can help lower costs if you're willing to put in the effort.

Feeder

To keep feed clean and reduce waste, a quality chicken feeder is essential.

A chicken feeder costs NZ$20-80. You’ll typically need one feeder for every 4-6 birds.

In our experience, the cheaper models don’t last and you’ll soon have to replace them. We recommended investing in a durable Dine-A-Chook Feeder from the start - it will last you practically a lifetime.

Drinker

Ensuring your chickens have access to fresh water is vital for their health.

A chicken drinker costs between NZ$20-200 per drinker.

Same as with feeders, the cheaper models won’t last you a long time. Invest in a Dine-A-Chook Drinke that will last years. We also have automatic main pressure drinkers that will keep a fresh stream of water for your birds with minimal work.

Predator Protection

New Zealand’s wildlife, including hawks, stoats, and neighbourhood cats, can pose a risk to your chickens. To keep your flock safe, it’s important to invest in predator-proofing your coop and run.

Cost for predator protection (bird netting, wire mesh): NZ$50-150

Using bird netting can also help keep wild birds out of your chicken run, reducing the risk of disease and keeping your flock safe.

Brooder for Chicks

If you're starting with chicks, a brooder setup is needed to provide warmth and a safe environment for them to grow up in.

Brooder setup costs anywhere from $50 to 1000 depending on your choice of heating equipment and setup.

Ongoing Costs of Keeping Chickens

Once you’ve made the initial investment, there are regular expenses involved in keeping chickens.

These ongoing costs include feed, bedding, and supplements, as well as any additional equipment for maintaining the health and comfort of your flock.

Chicken Feed

Feeding your chickens can be one of the more manageable ongoing costs, especially if you buy feed in bulk. For most backyard flocks, feed can cost as little as 50 cents to 2 dollars per chicken per month if you're buying in bulk.

Leafy greens, fruit, and treat like mealworms can bring up the costs alot.

Layer feed provides the necessary nutrition for egg-laying hens, while chicks will require starter feed until they mature.

• Cost per chicken: NZ$1 per month when buying in bulk
• Treats: Mealworms or other snacks add to the cost, typically around NZ$5-10 per month depending on the flock size.

To keep feed costs down, it’s important to reduce waste. A good way to do this is by using a reliable feeder like the Dine-A-Chook Feeder, which is designed to minimise spillage and prevent pests from accessing the food.

Bedding Materials

To keep your coop clean and comfortable, you’ll need to regularly replace the bedding. Common options include pine shavings or straw, which help absorb moisture and maintain cleanliness.

• Monthly cost: NZ$10-30 for bedding materials

You might get this cost down by buying straw in bulk.

Keeping the bedding fresh also reduces the risk of health issues like mites or respiratory infections.

Grit, Supplements and Health Products

To keep your chickens healthy, you’ll need to provide grit for digestion, calcium for egg-laying hens, and basic health products like electrolytes and healing ointments for minor injuries.

• Monthly cost: NZ$10-20 for supplements like grit and worming treatment
• One-time cost for a first-aid kit: NZ$30-50

Parasite control, such as mite dust or worming treatments, may also be required from time to time.

Electricity for Heat and Light (Winter)

If you want to maintain egg production during the winter months, adding heat lamps or lighting in the coop can help. Chickens need sufficient light to lay eggs regularly, and heat lamps can prevent them from becoming too cold.

Lighting can be set on a timer to ensure your chickens receive enough light during shorter winter days.

Additional Costs for Chicken-Keeping

In addition to the essential items, other costs may accrue, depending on how you manage your flock and property.

These might add a bit to your budget, but most of them are just nice-to-haves that you don’t have to get for a basic setup. But we all know that we chicken keepers love to buy all the accessories and tools we can!

Egg Cartons and Handling Equipment

If you’re collecting eggs daily, you’ll need a proper method to store and transport them. Egg cartons and baskets are useful for safely gathering and storing eggs.

If you’re planning to sell or give away eggs, reusable egg cartons can be a cost-effective and professional solution.

Compost Area for Chicken Waste

Chicken manure makes excellent fertiliser for gardens, but it needs to be composted first. Setting up a compost area for your chicken waste will help you make the most of this natural resource.

One-time setup cost for compost bins or materials can range from NZ$50-100.

Over time, this can save you money on garden fertiliser and reduce waste.

The Total Cost of Keeping Chickens in New Zealand

Starting a backyard chicken flock in New Zealand involves both initial investments and ongoing expenses.

Whether you’re buying chicks or adopting mature birds, the upfront costs include the chickens themselves, housing, feeders, drinkers, and predator protection. With DIY options and careful planning, the initial setup can cost a few hundred dollars, depending on how much you invest in each item.

Ongoing costs, such as feed, bedding, and supplements, typically range 3-15 dollars per chicken depending on the feed, what treats you’re giving them and if they need any supplements or healthcare.

Ultimately, how much does it cost to have chickens depends on the size of your flock and the type of equipment you choose.

However, the rewards of fresh eggs, natural pest control, and the joy of raising chickens make the investment well worth it.

For easy management, check out our Dine-A-Chook Feeder and Dine-A-Chook Drinker to keep your chickens well-fed and hydrated all year round.

Happy chicken keeping!

Read next:

• Everything you need to keep chickens
• How to keep chickens from wasting feed