9 Ways Backyard Chickens Save You Money (Beyond Just Eggs)

If you’ve ever dreamed of keeping backyard chickens, chances are the first thing you thought about was fresh eggs. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of walking outside in the morning, coffee in hand, and collecting breakfast straight from the coop? But here’s the secret many new chicken keepers don’t realize: chickens do a lot more than lay eggs. In fact, these feathered friends can save you cash in ways you'd never expect.

So if you’ve been wondering whether raising chickens is “worth it,” let me show you nine surprising ways your flock can help stretch your budget. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about omelets.

1. Free Pest Control​

Forget hiring pest control or buying sprays. Chickens are little insect-hunting machines. They’ll happily snack on grasshoppers, beetles, ticks, flies, and even the occasional spider that dares to cross their path. I once watched one of my hens chase a grasshopper around the yard like it was the world’s tiniest Olympic race. And, she won of course.

Less bugs in your garden and yard means you don’t need to spend money on chemical treatments or traps. Your chickens get a free snack, and you get fewer creepy crawlers. That’s a win-win.

Related: The Benefits of Keeping Chickens for Fertilizer and Pest Control

2. Natural Lawn Mowers​

Chickens love to nibble on grass & weeds. If you give them some space to roam, they’ll help keep the lawn trimmed for free. While they’re at it, they’ll fertilize the grass too (more on that in a moment). Sure, they won’t replace a mower completely, but they’ll definitely save you on fuel, wear and tear, and maybe even your Saturday mornings.

You can think of them as feathered landscapers that'll work for feed.

Related: Can Chickens Eat Grass?

3. Homemade Fertilizer​

Chicken manure might not sound glamorous, but gardeners call it “black gold” for a reason. It’s packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three main ingredients in most store-bought fertilizers. Instead of buying expensive bags from the garden center, you can compost your chickens’ droppings with straw or wood shavings from the coop.

After it ages a bit (fresh manure is too strong), you’ll have rich compost to boost your soil. Imagine growing bigger tomatoes, juicier peppers, or lush flowers without spending a dime on fertilizer. That’s money right back in your pocket.

Related: How To Use Chicken Manure as Garden Fertilizer

4. Less Food Waste​

Here’s a fun fact: chickens are walking compost bins. Instead of throwing out your food scraps, give them to your flock. Leftover rice, bread, veggie peels, and even the odd apple core can become chicken treats. Every scrap you feed them is food you didn’t waste and feed you don’t have to buy.

Of course, some foods are off-limits (like chocolate, salty and processed food), but most kitchen scraps are fair game.

Related: Table Scraps and Leftovers for Chickens

5. Free Entertainment​

Raising chickens is cheaper than Netflix and alot more unpredictable. Chickens have big personalities, and they’ll keep you entertained for hours if you let them. They scratch, they chase each other, they flop dramatically in the dust like they’re auditioning for a play.

When you’ve got chickens, you don’t need to spend as much on “boredom fixes” like constant outings or pricey hobbies. Sometimes, sitting in the backyard and watching your flock is more relaxing than a night out. Plus, it’s free.

Related: Ten Reasons You Should Spend Ten Extra Minutes With Your Flock Every Day

6. Extra Income Opportunities​

If you ever have more eggs than you can eat, you can sell the extras to friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Even at just a few dollars a dozen, it adds up quickly. Some folks also sell chicks or hatching eggs once their flocks grow.

And if you’re crafty, you can even make money by using chicken feathers in art, jewelry, or decorations. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but hey, one person’s molted feather is another person’s dream earring.

Related: How to Start Selling Chicken Eggs and Make Money

7. Garden Helpers​

Chickens aren’t just bug eaters. They’re also natural tillers. When they scratch at the ground looking for tasty treats, they break up the soil and mix in organic matter. That means less work for you when preparing a garden bed.

Why rent a rototiller when your chickens will happily do the job in exchange for a handful of grain? They’ll loosen the dirt, eat weed seeds, and leave behind a little fertilizer. Talk about a free garden crew.

Related: Reasons To Grow A Chicken Garden

8. Healthier Living​

Here’s something you don’t see on a grocery receipt: better health. Fresh eggs from your backyard are higher in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins compared to store-bought ones. Eating healthier can help you avoid doctor visits or medication down the road.

Plus, taking care of chickens gets you outside, moving around, and breathing fresh air. It’s like sneaky exercise that saves you the cost of a gym membership. Who needs a treadmill when you’re hauling water buckets and chasing hens?

Related: The Benefits of Raising Chickens for Fresh Eggs and Meat

9. Teaching Value to Kids (and Adults)​

Okay, this one isn’t about saving cash directly, but it still pays off. Raising chickens teaches kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) about responsibility, where food comes from, and the value of hard work. Those are lessons you can’t put a price on.

When kids learn to care for animals, they’re less likely to waste food, more likely to appreciate what they eat, and might even discover an early love for gardening or farming. That mindset can save them money for the rest of their lives.

Related: Kids with Disabilities Can Enjoy Chickens Too!

All In All​

Backyard chickens are like little feathered savings accounts. Sure, the eggs are amazing, but that’s just the beginning. They cut down on pests, mow the lawn, fertilize the garden, gobble up leftovers, entertain you for free, and might even bring in a bit of extra income. Add in the health benefits and life lessons, and you’ve got yourself one of the best money-saving investments around.

So the next time someone asks why you keep chickens, you can smile and say, “Because they pay their rent.”

Now, if only they’d start contributing to the electric bill.