The national egg shortage sparked it.
Consumers across the country are encountering egg shortages at retail stores, leading to purchasing limits and soaring prices when eggs are available. According to the Labor Department’s consumer price index, egg prices surged by 15.2% in January, marking the biggest jump since June 2015. This increase accounted for nearly two-thirds of the overall rise in food prices for the month.
Whitney Bissonnette, a chicken breeder in Arkansas, has been overwhelmed with messages from people looking to buy her chickens, receiving 50 to 100 inquiries daily. The demand has spiked since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2022. Bissonnette, who has had to close her waitlist for certain breeds, says this surge in interest is widespread as other breeders also experience an influx of messages.
Jen Tompkins, co-founder of Rent The Chicken, has seen a similar rise in demand for her services, with inquiries up 500% compared to previous weeks. Many people are turning to neighbors or friends who already raise chickens for eggs. Stephanie Hall, a farm stand owner in South Carolina, is struggling to meet the demand for her eggs, selling out within hours and receiving requests from friends, family, and coworkers.
Gina Bare, from the National Environmental Health Association, highlights the growing interest in backyard chicken coops, noting it’s an exciting trend in local food production. However, she emphasizes the need for proper health precautions when raising chickens, as poultry can carry germs that may cause illness. Families should practice good hygiene, keep flocks separate from living spaces, and closely monitor their birds’ health, reporting any unusual symptoms or deaths to a veterinarian or local extension office.
Bissonnette also cautions that raising chickens is not an easy task. She stresses that caring for her flock is a 24/7 commitment, involving constant attention to their needs, from breaking ice in water buckets to providing fresh straw and feed. “It’s a lot of work,” she says, noting that those interested in backyard poultry should be prepared for the challenges.
