Are chickens profitable in Farming Simulator 22?
Yes, chickens can be very profitable in Farming Simulator 22 with proper management. While chickens require more work than crops, they can quickly generate consistent passive income through egg sales. I‘ve found that chickens are one of the most lucrative early game investments for jumpstarting profits. Here‘s an in-depth look at just how profitable chickens can be and how to maximize returns.
Chicken Profitability Compared to Crops
Before diving into the specifics of chickens, let‘s examine how they compare as an income source to crops. Here are estimated profits per hectare for some common FS22 crops versus a coop of chickens:
| Revenue Source | Cost per Hectare | Profit per Hectare | Labor Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | $4,800 | $24,700 | Low |
| Canola | $9,600 | $41,000 | Low |
| Cotton | $18,400 | $61,400 | High |
| 400 Chickens | $15,000 | $55,000 | Medium |
As shown in the table above, the profit potential of a full chicken coop lands right between canola and cotton in terms of return on investment – substantially higher than wheat. And chickens take more daily work than crops but less than the very labor-intensive cotton.
So filled to maximum capacity of 400 chickens, a coop can match or even surpass the per hectare profitability of common cash crops. Next let‘s look at the specifics of costs and earnings from chickens.
Egg Production Rates
The income from chickens comes from selling the eggs they produce. Here are the average egg production rates based on research:
| Chicken Age | Eggs per Day | Eggs per Month |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – 6 months | 0.8 | 24 |
| 6 months – 1 year | 0.9 | 27 |
| 1 – 2 years | 0.8 | 24 |
| 2 – 3 years | 0.6 | 18 |
| 3+ years | 0.3 | 9 |
On average, a hen produces 0.75 eggs per day or about 23 eggs per month. Production peaks in the first year of life then slowly declines as the chicken ages.
With a full coop of 400 chickens at peak laying age, you can expect around 9,200 eggs or 66 pallets of eggs per month for sale.
Chicken Housing Costs
Chickens must be housed in either coops or open pastures to contain them, keep them safe from predators, and collect eggs efficiently.
Here are the base costs for all chicken housing options in FS22:
| Housing | Max Chickens | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Coop | 100 | $4,000 |
| Medium Coop | 200 | $9,000 |
| Large Coop | 400 | $25,000 |
| Pasture | 30 | $1,500 |
Coops provide better protection and egg gathering compared to open pastures. For maximum egg production, the Large Coop is essential to house 400 chickens.
While the $25,000 price tag may seem steep early on, the large coop maximizes earning potential to offset the cost. I recommend starting with a Small Coop then upgrading as finances allow.
Feed Costs and Nutrition
To stay healthy and lay eggs, chickens need to be fed daily. Here are some common FS22 chicken feed options:
| Feed Type | Nutrition | Cost per 1,000 L |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | Medium | $240 |
| Barley | Low | $260 |
| Soybean | High | $1,200 |
| Sorghum | High | $280 |
Based on nutrition and cost, sorghum is the best bang for your buck. Soybean provides the most nutrition but is expensive. Barley and wheat are budget-friendly options that still meet needs.
I recommend selecting higher nutrition feeds like soybean or sorghum if possible for maximum egg production. If finances are tight, barley and wheat work fine. Feed cost for 400 chickens ranges from $2,500-$10,000 per month based on diet.
Revenue from Egg Sales
The main income source from chickens is selling pallets of eggs. With 60-70 pallets produced monthly, here are potential profits:
- 60 pallets at $2,500 each = $150,000 per month
- 70 pallets at $3,000 each = $210,000 per month
Over 12 months, yearly earnings range from $1.8 million to $2.52 million. After feed costs, net profit per year for a maxed large coop is approximately $1.5-$2 million.
The egg operation quickly pays for itself and becomes very lucrative over time. Expanding to multiple coops on your farm further boosts profits.
Tips for Managing Large Egg Operations
Once your coop is full, here are some tips for scaling up egg profits:
- Build multiple Large Coops with 400 chickens each rather than overstuffing one
- Maintain proper ratios of roosters to hens for maximum fertilization
- Create conveyor systems with autoloaders to simplify egg collection
- Process excess eggs into egg pallets for efficient bulk sales
- Rotate chickens to different pastures so they have access to fresh grass and bugs
Proper management is key to smoothing operations for higher volumes. Take advantage of conveyors, automation and processing for labor savings as your flock grows.
My Top Chicken Tips
Based on my own gameplay, here are my personal tips for profiting from chickens in FS22:
- Start with 100 chickens in a Small Coop to minimize initial investment
- Upgrade to the Large Coop before maxing out population for space
- Use sorghum or soybean feed for optimal nutrition and egg laying
- Let chickens roam in a fenced grass area to reduce feed costs
- Sell eggs frequently and invest revenue into more coops and chickens
- Hire a worker for egg collection and processing for hands-off income
I‘ve found following this startup approach minimizes costs while allowing your flock and profits to scale quickly.
Conclusion
In summary, chickens can absolutely be a profitable investment in Farming Simulator 22. A full large coop housing 400 chickens has the potential to generate over $1.5 million in annual net income from eggs. With lower startup costs than cows and less labor than crops, chickens are a great early game money maker. I highly recommend starting with a small flock of chickens as soon as possible and scaling up from there. With proper management, chickens will quickly lay the golden eggs you need to establish a thriving profitable farm.