Community Chicken Feed – Local Pickup
To help support backyard chicken keepers in our neighbourhood, we will be offering pre-mixed Urban Hen Feed buckets available for local pickup.
This initiative started as a simple way to help fund the Winston Heights–Mountview Community Chicken Coop Pilot, while also making it easier for local chicken owners to access feed without needing to drive outside the city.
Everything about this program is fully transparent, including costs.
Why We Started This
Many backyard chicken keepers currently drive 20–30 minutes outside Calgary to purchase feed from farm supply stores. For smaller flocks, that trip can cost more in time and fuel than the feed itself.
Our goal is to:
- Provide a convenient local feed option
- Support the community chicken coop pilot
- Fund free urban hen education workshops
- Build a small, local network of backyard chicken keepers
What’s in the Feed Mix
Each bucket contains a simple, balanced mix designed for backyard laying hens.
Urban Hen Feed Mix
• 80% Layer Pellets – primary nutrition for laying hens
• 15% Scratch Grains – enrichment and energy
• 5% Grit – supports digestion
This combination provides a practical, balanced feed base for small backyard flocks.
Bucket Size
Feed is provided in 5-gallon buckets with lids.
Each bucket contains approximately: ~32 pounds of feed
The buckets are durable and ideal for storing feed at home.
How Long a Bucket Lasts
The average laying hen eats about 0.25 lb of feed per day.
| Flock Size | Feed Use | Bucket Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hens | ~0.5 lb/day | ~64 days (about 2 months) |
| 4 hens | ~1 lb/day | ~32 days (about 1 month) |
Pricing
First Bucket $30
Includes:
- 32 lb feed mix
- new 5-gallon bucket
- lid for feed storage
Refill / Bucket Swap $25
Bring your bucket back and we will refill it. This helps:
- reduce plastic waste
- keep costs lower
- simplify storage and transport
Full Cost Transparency
Feed is purchased in bulk and mixed locally. Approximate costs per bucket:
Feed mix (32 lb) ≈ $13
Bucket + lid ≈ $3.50
Total direct cost ≈ $16.50
First bucket sale: $30
Refill bucket sale: $25
Any remaining funds go directly toward:
- Feed for the community chicken coop flock
- Maintenance of the coop and run infrastructure
- Supplies for urban hen education sessions
- Future improvements to the program
Nothing is hidden, the goal is simply to make the program self-sustaining while supporting the community.
Supporting the Community Chicken Coop
The Winston Heights–Mountview Community Chicken Coop Pilot will house up to 12 hens.
Those hens will require approximately: ~90 lb of feed per month
This means that a small number of regular bucket purchases can fully support the coop’s feed needs.
By purchasing feed locally, residents are directly helping:
- support local food education
- fund free workshops on urban hen care
- maintain the coop infrastructure
- strengthen community food resilience
Optional Treat Add-Ons (When Available)
Occasionally we may also offer small add-ons such as:
- black soldier fly larvae
- cracked corn (winter energy)
- fresh greens
Availability will vary.
Pickup
Feed buckets will be available for local pickup at the community hall.
Details will be posted on this page as the program launches.
A Small Community Idea
This project is meant to be simple, practical, and community-driven.
By keeping things transparent and local, we hope to make backyard chicken keeping a little easier while helping support the broader community chicken coop initiative.