The Cheapest Way to Start a Chicken Flock

Think starting a backyard flock has to be expensive?

Think again.

When we first started with chickens, we were determined not to spend thousands on fancy coops and supplies. And while some things are worth investing in, there are plenty of ways to save money and get resourceful—especially when you're just starting out.

In this post, I’m sharing:

• What you actually need to begin raising chickens

• Things you can repurpose from around the house

• Free and creative ways to source what you need

• How to feed your flock without breaking the bank

Let’s build your flock the frugal way 🐓

Here’s the short list of must-haves when starting your flock on a budget:

• A safe, predator-proof shelter (coop + run)

• Food and water setup

• Bedding for inside the coop

• Starter feed (and optional grit)

• Nesting Boxes

• Roosting Bars

• A few basic cleaning and care tools

The good news? You don’t need to buy everything brand new.
Let’s look at how to build or source each item affordably.

🧠 Don't forget to check your local Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or neighborhood Buy Nothing groups—people often give away old fencing, lumber, dog houses, and even entire coops for free or cheap!

Chickens aren’t picky, and feeding them frugally is possible.

💡 Budget Feed Tips:

• Buy from your local feed store rather online. I find I can get a better price if I buy bags of feed from my local Tractor Supply Store than online at Amazon.

• Buy feed in bulk (50 lb bags) from local feed stores—it’s cheaper per pound than small bags

• Ask local bakeries or grocery stores for day-old bread, fruit, or produce scraps

• Let your chickens free-range (even part time) to supplement feed with bugs, greens, and weeds

• Grow scraps in a garden or toss in kitchen veggie trimmings

• Create a DIY fermented feed system (saves money + improves nutrition)

• Mealworms or black soldier fly bins are easy to DIY and provide protein-rich treats

🧠 Just make sure your starter chicks have access to appropriate crumble feed and grit—free-ranging or supplementing can come later.

Instead of buying bedding every week, try:

• Shredded newspaper or junk mail (skip glossy pages)

• Dry leaves or grass clippings (free and compostable)

• Straw or hay from local farms (check for split or dusty bales at a discount)

• Or… 🪨 SAND (see this post for why it’s low-maintenance + long-term budget friendly)

For nesting boxes, try:

• Storage bins

• Milk crates

• Repurposed wooden drawers

• Buckets on their side
  Just add bedding and you're set!

🐓 Need help organizing it all? My book Raising Chickens for Beginners goes into more detail about setting up your coop.

If money is tight, start with just 3–4 hens.

A smaller flock means:

• Less feed

• A smaller coop/run footprint

• Easier care as you learn

Once you’ve built confidence (and maybe saved a little), you can add more later.

🧮 Not sure how many chickens is right for you? Read: How Many Chickens Should Beginners Start With

Starting your flock from scratch doesn’t have to be confusing.

📥 Grab my FREE Chicken Keeper Starter Toolkit—it includes:

• A repurposed materials checklist

• Coop planning sheets

• A budget-friendly supply list

📚 Or dive deeper with my book, Raising Chickens for Beginners on Amazon—your no-fluff, friendly guide to building a coop, choosing breeds, and keeping your flock healthy without blowing your budget.

This post may contain Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust. 🐔