Annually, Agri Products hosts a significant spring pre-season sale featuring a wide array of equipment, gardening supplies, feed, and implements. This is also when we host our "baby chick days," during which customers frequently inquire about various aspects of raising chicks. Common questions include whether medicated or unmedicated starter feed is more appropriate, the best types of bedding, anticipated egg production, and concerns regarding avian influenza (the bird flu).
Starting a new flock is an engaging and rewarding endeavor, characterized by valuable learning experiences and the satisfaction of collecting that first egg. To alleviate some of the nerves associated with this process, we will address the most common questions from new flock owners.
What Are the Best Egg-Laying Breeds?
One of the most common questions we receive is a two-parter: "What type of chicks do you have, and which ones are the best for laying eggs?"
At our store, we mostly carry Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Cinnamon Queens, and Barred Rocks. (During our one time a year event), not year round!
It's important to note that the "best" breed depends on several factors, including:
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The nutritional richness of their foraging area.
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Your local year-round climate.
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Your available feed options.
In our experience, customers in Southern Oklahoma have great success with Australorps and Rhode Island Reds. We receive multiple reports throughout the year that these breeds tend to out-lay others in our region. In more northern climates, however, other breeds are often more common. We recommend joining local chicken-keeping groups on Facebook to learn from others and see what is having success in your specific area.
Beyond Breed: Housing and Hen Health
So, what other factors contribute to consistent egg-laying? A hen's environment is crucial. We are citing the USDA’s Egg and Poultry Production Safety Research Unit, which published a peer-reviewed document on egg production: USDA Research Publication.
This article highlights how a hen's environment affects her internal microbiome, or gut health. A hen's gut health is the cornerstone of consistent and healthy egg production. The study found that while different housing options impact this, there is no single "perfect" housing system for every situation. To help you choose what's right for you, we've compiled some basic designs for different flock sizes below.
Coop Design for 1-10 Hens: 
This design is similar to a coop you might find at a local farm and ranch store, though perhaps slightly larger. A pre-built coop of this size could cost anywhere from $500 - $1,000. You could save around $300 by building it yourself.
Coop Design for 11-30 Hens: 
This coop features a simpler design but provides much more room for activity. You most likely will not find a prefab coop of this size at a local store, we expect building costs to range anywhere from $400 - $600. (9/2/25)
Pro Tip: Most modern coops utilize either a manual or an automatic door, which allows flocks to have the best of both free-range and coop living. We highly recommend adding one to your design for increased safety and productivity.
The Real Cost of Raising Chickens
The expenses of owning a flock can seem daunting. You have costs for the coop, feed, waterers, bedding, and seasonal equipment. While online sources often estimate the annual maintenance cost of a ten-bird flock to be around $600, many people find they spend closer to $750 - $800. This doesn't include startup costs, which can be up to five times as much as the annual maintenance.
The average American household only spends around $100 on eggs from the grocery store per year. Why, then, is homesteading and owning a flock so popular? Truthfully, it’s the mindset of independence and self-sufficiency that keeps small flock owners going. There’s a reward in having your own supply of fresh eggs that goes beyond monetary value.
Plus, it can absolutely be done for less! Here are a few ways to cut costs:
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Find free or cheap chicks from local sellers who may have an excess hatch.
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Repurpose an old dog house or another existing structure into a makeshift coop instead of buying or building a new one.
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Supplement feed with safe kitchen scraps like leftover fruits and vegetables.
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Integrate your flock with your garden. Chickens will eat nuisance insects and naturally fertilize the soil. In return, the bugs they eat will slightly reduce your feed bill.
Does Bedding Type Matter?
The type of bedding matters, but you have a lot of flexibility. Chickens generally prefer softer, finer bedding, like fine-cut hemp shavings. However, they will make just about anything work. It is very common during winter months to use a thick layer of straw, which provides excellent insulation to keep the birds warm and prevent eggs from freezing. While straw can be too warm in the summer and is harder to clean than pine or hemp shavings, it is significantly cheaper in most areas of the country.
Medicated vs. Unmedicated Chick Starter
This is a common point of confusion. Medicated starter feed contains a drug called amprolium.
It's a misconception that medicated feed protects against avian influenza (bird flu). Amprolium does not treat or prevent viruses. Its purpose is to prevent coccidiosis, a parasitic infection that is common and often deadly in newly hatched chicks.
The main argument for unmedicated starter is that it's "all-natural." For example, USDA Organic standards prohibit the use of any medicated feed. As of this writing, our research has found no credible links between consuming products from amprolium-treated poultry and human health complications.
However, some people worry about potential errors in the manufacturing process. While feed mills are consistently monitored by regulators like the FDA and AAFCO, there is a very small theoretical chance that an incorrect amount of medication could make its way into a bag of feed.
Our Recommendation: We suggest feeding a medicated starter. The risk of young chicks contracting a deadly parasitic disease like coccidiosis is far greater than the minuscule risk associated with a potential feed manufacturing error. We believe that not using a medicated starter for at least the first few weeks puts your flock, and by extension your investment, at a higher risk.
How Many Eggs Can I Expect?
Once your flock has matured and starts laying, how many eggs can you expect? A healthy, disease-free hen will lay about 5 eggs per bird per week, provided she receives at least 14 hours of light per day.
It's a common misconception that hens stop laying in winter simply because it's cold. The primary reason for the drop in production is the reduced daylight hours. To ensure a year-round supply of eggs, it is recommended to supplement with an artificial light source in the coop to give your flock at least 14 hours of light exposure daily through the winter. With a healthy flock and a little local knowledge, you can expect around 260 eggs per bird per year.
We hope this article has answered some of your questions and given you the confidence to start your own flock. If you enjoyed it, please check out our Facebook page and give us a follow!
We would also love to talk to you one-on-one. Find us on Facebook at Agri Products of Ardmore or give us a call at (580) 223-7355. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff wants to help you take the next step in raising a flock of your own!