Most layers do ok the first year, great the second, and then taper off. If you have old crockpot recipes, they can taste great after egg production drops off.
But they can keep laying for quite some time.
You can reduce the feed costs by letting them graze (though even a few chickens will lay waste to an average sized backyard if given the chance) and/or using household food waste.
yeah, on a small scale it’s actually pretty easy to make a decent dent in the feed bill. once you get over a dozen hens though it would take a few adults to make enough waste. chickens eat a lot!
