In 2017 our egg sales from a flock of 22 hens was just over $2,600. Our total feed costs for chickens, ducks, and fish for our aquaponics system was a little over $1,200. We use premium non-soy, non-GMO feed and are able to get $6/dozen for our eggs. So covering your feed and bedding costs is definitely within the realm of possibility.
One other thing to consider. Put those chickens to work. Get some poultry netting or fencing around where you’ll be putting your garden and let the hens start tilling and amending the soil. Think of them as little biological farm implements with fringe benefits.
Wow - that is awesome! I was thinking of pricing around $4 dollars per dozen. I use Organic non-GMO Feed too. We do let them free range - when they want to come out of the coop. before the snow dumped we would let them out of their run to free range in our back yard each day for a little while. They have a tendency to want to wander into the woods. so for now, they are on supervised free ranging. LOL
I will look into the poultry netting for next spring so they can spend more time in and around the garden too. that's a great idea!