How to Naturally Cut Your Chicken Feed Costs

August 25, 2025

The Rising Cost of Keeping Chickens

Backyard chicken feed prices keep climbing, leaving many backyard keepers looking for relief. On average, feed costs run $15–$30 per month per dozen hens — and that’s just for store-bought layer feed. For many, this is the single largest expense of raising chickens.

But what if you could lower your feed bill by up to 40%, get richer, more nutritious eggs, improve your soil, and even support pollinators? Thousands of chicken keepers are already doing this with forage and cover crops.

Why Forage is the Secret to Lower Feed Costs

When hens have access to fresh forage, they eat less commercial feed without sacrificing egg production. Forage plants like clover provide:

High-quality protein for steady egg laying
Natural vitamins and minerals for overall health
Enzymes that aid digestion and nutrient absorption

A University of Arkansas study found that supplementing with forage reduced feed costs by 18–25% without lowering egg output. Some backyard keepers have reported seasonal savings of up to 40%.

👉 Less feed. Healthier hens. Stronger eggs.

Meet Cluck & Clover™: Forage Designed for Chickens

Not all forage is equal. Some plants grow quickly but lack nutrition; others are rich in nutrients but can’t survive grazing. That’s why we created Cluck & Clover™ — a premium, research-backed clover mix designed specifically for chickens.

Cluck & Clover™ includes two long lived perennial clovers:

Aberlasting Clover

High-protein, perennial, and cold-tolerant
Drought- and grazing-resistant
Highly digestible, nitrogen-fixing

Domino White Clover

Rapid regrowth, winter-active
Spreads naturally for lasting coverage
Thrives under grazing pressure

Together, these clovers provide year-round nutrition and resilience, keeping greens available for your hens and reducing your reliance on bagged feed.

Real Savings for Real Chicken Keepers

Here’s what Cluck & Clover can save you:

Flock Size	Avg. Feed Cost / Month	Savings / Month	Annual Savings
6 hens	$25	$6–$10	$72–$120
12 hens	$50	$12–$20	$144–$240
20 hens	$83	$20–$33	$240–$396

Based on U.S. averages for layer feed; actual savings vary by forage availability and management.

More Than Just Money Saved

Feeding with forage does more than cut costs. It transforms your flock and your land:

Healthier Eggs - More omega-3s, vitamins and richer yolks.
Happier Hens - Reduces boredom, stress, and pecking behaviors.
Better Soil - Improves nitrogen, water retention, and erosion control.
Pollinator Support - Clover blossoms provide nectar for bees and beneficial insects.