How much feed do 12 chickens eat per day?

12 laying hens eat approximately 3 lb of feed per day based on the standard rate of 0.25 lb per bird per day.

How big should a coop be for 12 chickens?

A coop for 12 standard-size chickens needs at least 48 square feet of indoor space (4 sq ft per bird) and 120 square feet of outdoor run (10 sq ft per bird).

How many bags of feed do 12 chickens need per year?

12 layers consume about 1,095.0 lb of feed per year, which is roughly 21.90 standard 50-lb bags.

Is 12 chickens too many for a backyard?

Not necessarily. 12 birds need 48 sq ft of coop and 120 sq ft of run. If your yard accommodates that footprint and local ordinances allow it, 12 chickens are very manageable.

How Much Feed for 12 Chickens? (Per Day, Month & Year)

Feed & space numbers for 12 chickens

Daily feed

3 lb

Monthly feed (30 d)

90 lb

Annual feed

1,095.0 lb

50-lb bags / year

21.90

Coop space

48 sq ft

Run space

120 sq ft

Nesting boxes

Roost length

120 in

A flock of 12 chickens hits a productive sweet spot — large enough to supply eggs for your household and neighbors, yet still manageable with basic infrastructure. At this size, you start to see real efficiency gains in feed purchasing and coop design.

Keeping 12 chickens: what to expect

At 12 birds, you should plan for dedicated storage space for feed bags and consider buying in bulk to save on cost. A well-designed coop at this size should include good cross-ventilation and easy cleanout access to keep maintenance efficient.

Twelve birds match the classic “dozen hens” mental model and the coop calculator’s common worked example. Housing and feed stop feeling theoretical.

Schedule deep cleans on a calendar. Twelve birds foul roost bars quickly; a droppings board saves your knees and keeps ammonia down through winter.

A dozen hens can oversupply one household — plan gifts, sales, or freezer quiche batches before eggs stack up on the counter.

Twelve birds often need a written chore board if teens or partners share care. Check local setbacks: a dozen roosters are rarely legal, but even hen-only flocks draw more neighbor attention.

Frequently asked questions

How much feed do 12 chickens eat per day?: 12 laying hens eat approximately 3 lb of feed per day based on the standard rate of 0.25 lb per bird per day.
How big should a coop be for 12 chickens?: A coop for 12 standard-size chickens needs at least 48 square feet of indoor space (4 sq ft per bird) and 120 square feet of outdoor run (10 sq ft per bird).
How many bags of feed do 12 chickens need per year?: 12 layers consume about 1,095.0 lb of feed per year, which is roughly 21.90 standard 50-lb bags.
Is 12 chickens too many for a backyard?: Not necessarily. 12 birds need 48 sq ft of coop and 120 sq ft of run. If your yard accommodates that footprint and local ordinances allow it, 12 chickens are very manageable.

At the standard layer rate of 0.25 lb per bird per day, your 12 hens will go through 3 lb of feed daily, adding up to 90 lb each month and 1,095.0 lb over a full year. That works out to roughly 21.90 bags of 50-lb layer feed annually.

Your coop should provide at least 48 square feet of indoor floor space and 120 square feet of outdoor run. Plan for 3 nesting boxes (one per four hens, minimum two), 120 inches of roost bar, 2 waterers, and 2 feeders.

Calculate your own feed estimate

Adjust the flock size or life stage below to recalculate feed needs instantly.

Chicken feed calculator

Pre-filled for 12 birds — layers eat ~0.25 lb/bird/day.

Enter flock size to estimate feed.

Coop & run sizing for 12 chickens

Switch between standard, bantam, and meat-bird spacing to see how requirements change.

Chicken coop size calculator

Pre-filled for 12 standard birds (4 sq ft coop / 10 sq ft run each).

Enter bird count to size the coop.

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.