I've raised layers for many years, and am surprised at the 4 eggs for 2 dozen birds. I had 18 layers each year and got enough eggs for my family to eat as many as they wanted and sell the rest, several dozen a week, as organic eggs for $5/dozen. The birds paid for them selves each year. There wasn't much profit, but they didn't cost us anything. The rate of lay was between 60% if it was hot in July, to over 80% at other times.

BUT the flock was turned to ground chicken each year and a new flock we raised and carefully selected was put in place. I had a 60 watt incandescent light bulb on a timer for 14 hours of light each day. They had lots of not free range but carefully protected ranging area that was moved as needed. And I supplemented in winter when they didn't have that with 42 different dehydrated herbs, forbs and flowers in an organic alfalfa mash made with kefir cheese whey each morning. It was sustainable on a homestead.