Livestock Feed Cost Calculator

Planning Livestock Feed Costs

Feed is often the largest recurring cost in livestock operations, from backyard chickens to small ruminants and larger herds. The key variables are animal count, daily intake, and the price of feed. By multiplying daily intake per animal by the number of animals, you get total daily feed use, which scales directly to weekly and monthly requirements. This calculator converts those numbers into bag usage so you can plan purchases and avoid shortages.

Bag longevity is especially useful for budgeting. If a 50 lb bag lasts five days, you need roughly six bags per month. Knowing cost per day and cost per animal helps compare feeds, evaluate ration adjustments, and estimate the value of pasture or forage. Homesteaders often combine pasture with supplemental feed; in that case, reduce daily intake to reflect what you actually provide from the bagged ration.

This tool is intentionally simple and transparent. It does not replace ration formulation or veterinary guidance, but it provides practical math for farm management. Use it alongside feed tags, extension resources, and growth targets to optimize feed conversion and profitability while maintaining animal health and welfare.

Feed needs can shift with temperature, lactation, growth stage, and pasture availability. If animals are grazing, their bagged intake may drop significantly, which stretches bag life and lowers daily cost. Conversely, cold snaps can increase intake as animals burn more energy to stay warm. Track actual feed usage over a few weeks and update the intake value to match real conditions. By aligning the calculator with real consumption data, you can budget more accurately and avoid surprises during peak feeding seasons.

You can also use this calculator to compare feeds with different bag sizes or prices. By entering each option, you’ll see which offers a lower cost per animal per day. If your herd is in a growth or production phase, consider the nutrient density of the feed, not just price. Cheaper feed may require higher intake to meet energy or protein targets, which changes the effective cost. This perspective keeps financial planning aligned with animal performance.

Formula

Daily feed = animals × intake. Weekly feed = daily × 7. Monthly feed = daily × 30. Days per bag = bag size ÷ daily feed. Cost per day = (daily feed ÷ bag size) × bag cost. Cost per animal per day = cost per day ÷ animals.

Example Calculation

With 12 animals eating 2.5 lb per day, total daily feed is 30 lb. A 50 lb bag lasts about 1.7 days. At $18 per bag, cost per day is about $10.80, or $0.90 per animal per day.

FAQs

What intake should I use?

Use average daily intake per animal from feed tags or extension recommendations.

Does this include waste or spill?

No. Add a margin if your system has feed losses.

Can I use metric units?

Yes. Use kilograms and kg bag sizes.

How do I reduce feed costs?

Bulk purchasing, pasture rotation, and precise rationing can reduce costs.

Are results private?

Yes, everything runs locally in your browser.

How it works

This calculator multiplies daily intake by animal count and divides by bag size for cost planning. All computation runs client-side for privacy and speed.

Disclaimer

Feed intake varies by species, weather, and life stage. Use feed labels and veterinary guidance for final ration planning.